Algerian official's anti-prayer stance draws fire

By Abdel Razek Abdallah

ALGIERS (AA) - Education Minister Nouria Benghabrit has stirred controversy in Algeria after reportedly ordering the closure of prayer rooms at the nation’s schools.

On Monday, Benghabrit reportedly expelled a student for praying from the Algerian International School in Paris, which serves the Algerian community in the French capital.

"Students go to school for education,” Benghabrit told media outlets. “This practice [prayer] is meant to be done at home, not at school."

According to Algeria’s Echorouk newspaper, Benghabrit recently met with Algerian education officials and directed them to close all rooms allocated for prayer in schools throughout the country.

The Association of Algerian Muslim Scholars, the country’s largest organization for religious clerics, condemned the minister's decision.

In a statement, the association said that Algerian law allows for the allocation of prayer spaces at public educational institutions.