The religious preferences of the majority of the region's residents can be taken into account in the school menu under the new law on mandatory free hot meals for primary school students, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Viktor Smirnov told Parlamentarskaya newspaper.
"Of course, we cannot enforce the laws of kashrut and the requirements of other religions in school that is a secular institution. But if there are a majority of such children, of course, we will recommend taking this aspect into account," the parliamentarian said, in particular, recalling that the majority of Russian believers belong to the four main religions - Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism.
At the same time, Smirnov stressed that if Halal dishes would be included in the school menu, in no case the principles of a balanced and healthy diet, which are enshrined in the new law, could be ignored.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council