Fury over proposal to teach Koran to non-Muslims in UK schools

London, Dec.13 (ANI): Academicians across the United Kingdom are up in arms over moves by an Islamic centre to arrange Koran classes for non-Muslim children.

The kids will be taught in Arabic faith school.

A Daily Star report said that the Al Habib Islamic Education and Cultural Centre has submitted plans for a seven million pound, 420-pupil school in Swindon, Wilts here.

The Al Habib Islamic Education and Cultural Centre said that, "fifty percent of places at the school, which serves as a mainly non-Muslim area, will be for local pupils."The charity also claims that there is a demand for the school from the Muslim community and from non-Muslim families as well."If the plan gets a green signal from the authorities, then an hour of the timetable each day would be dedicated to studying Arabic and the Koran," the cultural center said.Though the non-Muslim children would not be forced to attend the Koran classes, the charity believes they would be interested inbeing taught."Non-Muslims can sit out the lessons but it is hoped most will choose to stay in class to gain more insight into Islam," a spokesman of the Al Habib said adding, "the school will follow the national curriculum and have teachers from different faiths. We will be there to provide guidance in religious teaching."

"I have great sympathy for local parents, a lot of them would not want a Christian school and far less a Muslim one," said Keith Porteous Wood, director of the National Secular Society, adding "the school would be a disaster for the community." (ANI)