Italy to ban niqabs in schools, PM Meloni says

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to ban burqas and niqabs in schools. According to Meloni, a measure will soon be presented to the cabinet to establish a maximum number of foreign students per class and make Italian language lessons compulsory for parents of foreign pupils having difficulties integrating into the school system.

The ban specifically targets the burka, an all-covering dress, and the niqab, a veil worn by some conservative Muslim women, but does not mention the hijab, a headscarf. Once approved by the government, the measure would need parliamentary approval within 60 days to pass into law.

Meloni stated that anyone who comes to Italy and wants to build their future there must learn the Italian language, understand the culture, and respect the rules. The issue of integration is a major campaign issue ahead of a general election next year, with Italy being a frontline country for migration.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Punch Nigeria, South China Morning Post, New Straits Times, Euronews — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.