France plans to end contract with biggest Muslim school amid tougher stance on community

France is set to end funding for its largest Muslim high school, citing administrative failures and questionable teaching practices amid a wider crackdown on its Muslim population.

As reported by Reuters, the Averroes school, established in 2003 in Lille, has over 800 pupils and has been under a state contract since 2008, following the French curriculum with additional religion classes.

An October report obtained by the publication from the interior ministry's local office highlighted administrative and financial dysfunction, along with concerns about teaching not aligning with French republican values.

The move comes amid criticism that France is targeting Muslims, fostering a perceived increase in hostility against followers of the religion, such as with the move to ban abaya clothing in public schools.