SRINAGAR: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday announced plans to introduce measures that would restrict the number of foreign students in classrooms and ban the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools.
Addressing the youth wing of her nationalist-conservative Brothers of Italy party at a national festival in Rome, Meloni said the proposed measures would also make Italian language classes compulsory for parents of foreign students facing “serious difficulties integrating into the school system”.
“For us, anyone who comes to Italy and wants to build their future here must learn our language, understand our culture, and respect our rules,” Meloni said.
The proposed restrictions specifically target the burqa, a garment that covers the entire body and face, and the niqab, which covers the face except for the eyes. Meloni did not refer to the hijab, the headscarf worn by some Muslim women.
The measure, once approved by the Italian government, would require parliamentary approval within 60 days to become law.
Meloni has maintained a hardline position on migration since taking office, though her government has increasingly adopted policies aimed at integrating foreign residents while maintaining tighter controls on immigration.
The announcement comes ahead of Italy’s general election next year, with Meloni’s government also pursuing a series of measures aimed at addressing issues that have become politically significant among voters.
Earlier this month, Meloni’s conservative administration became Italy’s longest-serving uninterrupted government since World War II.
