French Funding Dispute: Court Rules in Favor of Muslim School :

On Wednesday, an administrative court annulled the French government’s decision to reduce funding for the nation’s largest Muslim high school in 2023, which rights organizations claim is indicative of a broader effort to restrict Muslim educational institutions. The Averroes private school, established in 2003 in Lille as the first Muslim high school in mainland France, had an enrollment of 800 students in 2023 and had been under a state contract since 2008.

The curriculum followed is the standard French program, supplemented with religious education. At the end of 2023, the local government representative, known as the ‘prefecture’, cited administrative and financial issues at the school, along with claims that some of its teachings were inconsistent with French republican values, as reasons for cutting public funding.

However, in its ruling on Wednesday, the Lille administrative court determined that the prefecture failed to provide adequate evidence of the school’s non-compliance with French republican values. Additionally, while there were some documented issues, such as the school’s refusal of a surprise inspection, these did not warrant the termination of its contract. The high school celebrated the ruling as a triumph for the rule of law, stating, ‘Averroes is a high school striving for excellence and can now continue its mission with its students peacefully.’

Following the court’s decision, the school’s contract with the state will be reinstated automatically, according to Paul Jablonski, a lawyer representing Averroes, who expressed hope that the prefecture would refrain from appealing the decision. The Lille prefecture has not yet responded to requests for comment.