Kindergarten crucifix ban
• Hodgepodge
A court decision to order a state kindergarten to remove crucifixes from its classrooms has caused controversy in Italy.
The ruling by a judge in the central town of L'Aquila, following a complaint by an Italian Muslim leader, has re-opened a bitter debate about religious symbols.
The judge ruled that crucifixes on classroom walls showed "the unequivocal desire by the state, when it comes to public education, to place the Catholic religion at the centre of the universe", disregarding other religions.
The decision could increase tensions between Catholics and atheists, and between Christians and the rapidly growing Italian Muslim population, said La Repubblica newspaper on Sunday.