Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Plans for a Muslim school in Tonga

Posted at 07:42 on 24 April, 2007 UTC

Tonga’s small Muslim community of about 100 is planning to raise funds in the Middle East to build a new boarding school on Tongatapu.

The Matangi Tonga website reports the school is to follow the Tongan school curriculum, but additionally offer the Arabic language and Islamic studies as options.

The website quotes Sheikh Imam Abdul Fader, a spiritual leader of the Tongan Muslim community, saying their project is to serve Muslims and non-Muslims, especially orphans who are often deprived of education.

The sheikh is quoted saying a small delegation of Tongan Muslims will leave in June for Saudi Arabia and Qatar to seek donations and funding for the new school.