Ruling: Amsterdam must provide Islamic College location

The Amsterdam city council has to make a building available for bridging classes of a new Islamic school community by August 1st, 2017 at the latest, the Administrative Law Division of the Council of State ruled on Wednesday. The council can not appeal against this ruling. This ruling puts an end to the dispute between the city council and the Foundation for Islamic Education Amsterdam and Environs that has been ongoing since November 2012, Het Parool reports. Back then the Foundation asked the council to provide a location for a new Islamic school community on Jacob Geelstraat, where the Islamic College Amsterdam used to be located. The council rejected the application and twice declared the Foundation's objection against the refusal unfounded. According to the administrative court, the expectation of 186 students enrolling in these classes is not unfounded.