Islamic religion classes are now taught in nearly 200 schools throughout Andalusia, Spain’s southernmost autonomous region, sparking criticism from the right-wing Vox party.
Following a parliamentary inquiry by Vox Andalusia, official figures revealed the inclusion of Islam in the curriculum, setting off a political firestorm about immigration’s impact on the region’s institutions.
Vox claims the growing presence of Islamic studies ties directly to increasing immigration, particularly from Morocco. A 2024 report by the Infancy and Adolescence Observatory in Andalusia highlighted that Moroccan nationals form the largest foreign group under 19 years old, making up nearly 30% of non-Spanish minors in the region. In Almería, this figure exceeds 50%, cementing Moroccans as the most significant immigrant group in a province heavily affected by illegal immigration.
Other prominent immigrant communities in Andalusia include Romanians (11%), Britons (5%), and Colombians, but none rival the demographic influence of Moroccans, particularly among younger age groups.
Vox didn’t mince words in its critique of the Andalusian People’s Party (PP) government, accusing it of a lack of transparency. The party took issue with the refusal to disclose the names of schools offering Islamic education, calling it “impressive the null transparency that the Andalusian PP government has had by not detailing the name of educational schools that impart such subject in the community,” as reported by OKdiario.
The party went further, claiming Andalusia has “succumbed to the effects of the permanent arrivals of immigrants from the Maghreb,” a region with a predominantly Muslim population. Vox argued that incorporating Islamic studies into classrooms reflects the PP government’s misplaced priorities.
As immigration continues to reshape Andalusia’s demographic and cultural landscape, debates like these underline growing tensions over integration, education, and transparency in governance. Whether the inclusion of Islamic studies is a step toward inclusivity or a symptom of broader challenges remains at the heart of the controversy.
