For several months, certain cases of Muslim prayers organized within primary schools in the Azure region have sparked controversy. On November 13, three third-grade students allegedly prayed within their school… But what really happened?
You’ve probably heard about it. Following the incident, a new breach of secularism was deplored by Christian Estrosi and the Rector of the Nice Academy, who summoned the parents immediately. The incident involved three third-grade students at Pierre-Merle School. According to Nice-Matin, which relies on several sources, what was described as a prayer was actually a simple “children’s game” by 8-year-olds to scare each other… having absolutely nothing to do with religion.
“It is clear that the family units showed no intention of violating the principles of secularism and the Republic.”
Christian Estrosi
Whether proven or not, the accusations surrounding these three children resulted in a summons to the town hall for their families. Individual meetings occurred during which everything reportedly went well. “I want to thank the parents present and acknowledge their sense of responsibility. It is clear that the family units showed no intention of violating the principles of secularism and the Republic,” Christian Estrosi stated in a press release.
The city provides explanations
Jean-Luc Gagliolo, Deputy in charge of Education at the town hall, recalled at the beginning of the week that: “all reports must be taken seriously. There is no reason a priori to doubt the reporting by child professionals, nor to contest the procedure of meeting with families that we have proposed with National Education. Without dramatizing, if other reports were to occur, we would maintain this procedure.”
Furthermore, the town hall specifies that “municipal agents and the rectorate have confirmed gestures that could resemble breaches of secularism. The city of Nice and the rectorate remain vigilant and will always seek to understand when a report is made. Several reports were received last week. Parents are systematically seen.”
