Court confirms right to Islam education in Mallorca schools

Court strengthens claim to religious education

In Palma this week one topic was in focus, about which many families here have long spoken with concern: religious education for Muslim children at public schools. The Balearic Islands' top court has now decided that parents have a right to Islam education offered in a public institution near their place of residence.

How it came about

A family from Palma had, together with relatives of around 100 other children, submitted an application after the Ministry of Education had not made clear where this instruction would take place. After several futile inquiries, the parents went to court – and prevailed. The judges justified the ruling by saying that the right of parents to religious education for their children is protected by the constitution.

Those who live here know: at some schools the offering is simply lacking, although there have been agreements between the state and religious communities for years. On our island, a 2019 agreement with representatives of Islam was reached, instruction was to be provided from the 2020/21 school year at selected schools. In practice, however, the offering was not always transparent or easily accessible, according to the judges.

What this means concretely

The ruling obliges the administration to communicate more clearly at which schools the instruction takes place and to ensure that it is actually offered. For parents this means less running around, less guessing. For the schools, it means additional organizational tasks – teachers, timetables, rooms.

On the side: Some parents had gathered one Saturday morning in front of the Ministry of Education on Avenida de Jaume III to discuss their demands. \"This is not about politics, but about my child learning his religion near the school,\" said a mother who signed quickly on her way to work.

A step, but not the end

The ruling is a clear signal, but it does not resolve all questions. Who pays for additional instruction? How will professionals be found? And how can it be ensured that the offering actually covers different confessions? The coming weeks will show how the ministry responds – and how quickly parents and schools can find practical solutions.

For many here in Mallorca, the result is still a small piece of normality: public schools must become more diverse and serve those who call this island their home. Whether that succeeds now depends on details – and on the willingness to talk to each other.