Britain announces first public funding for Muslim schools

The British government has announced the first state funding for two Muslim schools.

One will be in London, the other in Birmingham.

The decision follows mounting pressure from the Muslim community in Britain for the same state recognition, enjoyed by other religions.

The Education Minister David Blunkettsaid the Muslim schools would be expected to meet the same educational criteria expected of all schools and to provide equal access for both boys and girls.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service