Nice Muslim School Wins Court Battle Against Closure Order

Satisfaction for the association managing the Avicenne Muslim college in Nice. In a press release, it welcomes the decision of the Administrative Court of Nice, which has canceled the order of the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes of March 15, 2024 pronouncing the definitive closure of the private school. The public rapporteur considers the decision taken against the private college "disproportionate" with regard to the objectives of the law, which are the prevention of risks of public order disturbances, the health and safety of students. The prefecture has again been ordered to pay Avicenne 1,500 euros in legal costs.

Seized in summary proceedings, the Administrative Court of Nice had suspended in April the execution of the prefectural decree ordering the "definitive closure" of the Avicenne Muslim college as of July 6, 2024, considering that the "errors and inaccuracies" noted in the accounts of the establishment, suspected of "opaque financing", were not "such as to justify the measure taken against it. "The decision rendered today confirms the illegality of the decree," says Avicenne’s lawyer, Sefen Guez Guez. It "puts an end to the unfair procedure launched on February 26 by Nicole Belloubet, Minister of National Education, against the only private Muslim college in the department."

For the management: "Avicenne emerges strengthened from this ordeal: next year, its enrollment increases significantly." However, it reiterates its intention to "again bring the matter before the courts to request its passage under a contract of association with the State." "This legal victory strengthens our determination to promote an education respectful of our values and our rights. [...] Together, let’s continue to move forward for a better future for our children," rejoices the Federation of Muslims of France. Open since 2015, the Avicenne Muslim college in Nice is linked to the Union of Muslims of the Alpes-Maritimes (UMAM).