ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT

EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2015
the adoption of measures aimed at promoting awareness and respect for religious
holidays and traditions, as well as historical linguistic and cultural rights of people
subject to discrimination in the field of employment. The action plan has to be
implemented and its effectiveness to be assessed. Nevertheless, the impact of the
plan risks being weak as there is no a law on religious freedom or agreement with
the Muslim community.
Education
In Italy, all children have equal access to education, regardless of their citizenship or
religion. From a general point of view, the Italian law meets international standards
by prohibiting any form of discrimination at school. 54
According to these general principles, Muslim students have the same rights to
education as Italians or anyone else in Italy. In November 2015, official data published
by the Italian Minister of Education, University and Research on the presence
of foreign students 55 in Italy show that approximately 300,000 students attending
Italian schools come from countries where Islam is the predominant religion. 56
The majority of Muslim students attend public schools where Catholic religious
instruction is a specific optional course called “Hour of religion”; this is provided
by teachers selected by the Catholic Church, whose salaries are paid by the
Italian state. Parents may decide to opt out of this. In this case, students may attend
a non-religious alternative class or, in certain cases, may decide to leave school early
with parental consent. 57
In practice, in some areas of the country, only a minority of families choose to
opt out. However, where the Muslim population is higher, several foreign students
(often a whole class) can choose not to attend the so-called hour of religion. In this
case, the Muslim community has to cover the cost of Islamic instruction. Therefore,
this educational system increases de facto discrimination based on religion within the
Italian society and especially at school.
Equally, different diets may be cause of discrimination against Muslims at school. At
the beginning of the year, parents are asked to fill in a form and provide information
on possible allergies or specific needs of the child. On these grounds, school canteens
may decide to provide halal food for students. In practice, the needs of Muslim students
are not satisfied everywhere in Italy, since reasonable accommodation is made
only in areas where the Muslim community is more numerous and visible.
54. See article 34 of the Italian Constitution, according to which “Schools shall be open to everyone”.
55. Statistical data on foreign students in Italy available at: http://www.istruzione.it/allegati/2015/Notiziario_Alunni_Stranieri_1415.pdf.
56. “L’Islam in classe: che fare?”, Tutto Scuola, 15 November 2015, http://www.tuttoscuola.com/cgi-local/disp.
cgi?ID=37338.
57. United States Department of State, 2014 Report on International Religious Freedom - Italy, 14 October 2015,
http://www.refworld.org/docid/5621058e4.html [accessed 5 December 2015].
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