Authorities to investigate strict Islamic practices in Australian school

Sydney, May 15 (IANS/EFE) Australian authorities ordered an investigation on Friday of alleged, strict enforcement of Islamic practices in a school in the south of the country, as part of a larger fight against the recruitment of young students to jihadi ranks.

The Islamic College of Australia in Adelaide prohibits, for example, the singing of the national anthem, and condemned the piano as a tool of evil.

Contact between male and female students in common areas has also been forbidden, according to media reports.

Such measures have led to protests by hundreds of parents who rallied in front of the school demanding the dismissal of the directors, according to ABC network.

The South Australian Imams Council described the practices of the school board as "un-Islamic".

Announcing the investigation into the allegations, Australian Education Minister Christopher Pyne explained: "Obviously we want our children to get a sensible and secular education. Not an education that points them in a direction that we don't want them to go."

Many Australian youth have been recruited to fight with jihadi groups abroad, while the government elevated its terror alert to high in September 2014, and one month later passed legislation against foreign fighters.

The Australian government, as part of its campaign against Islamic terrorism in the country, also intends to change immigration and citizenship laws and suppress those who preach violence.

--IANS/EFE

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