A shortage of teachers of Islam is leading Islamic community leaders to question the government’s commitment to the freedom of religion. In the current school year, there are only 41 Islamic teachers in Spain’s schools, compared to almost 120,000 Muslim children in Spanish schools – more than half in the North African enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta. These figures equate one teacher for every 2,900 students. As a result, few Muslim schoolchildren have the chance to receive instruction in their own religion. By Spanish law, Muslim schoolchildren are entitled to be taught their religion.
