By ASSOCIATED PRESS
TIRANA, Albania — Leaders of Albania's Muslim community said they are against government plans to ban the use of veils in schools.They issued a statement defending the use of the veil, which is not widespread in the small Balkan country despite it having a majority Muslim population.The government said it plans to ban the use of the veil at elementary and high schools, in line with suggestions from the European Union, which Albania is hoping to join one day. The ban will be included in a draft law on education.Muslim leaders issued their statement Tuesday following a meeting with the education minister.About two-thirds of Albania's 3.2 million population are Muslims. Religion was banned in Albania from 1967 until 1990 by the late Communist dictator Enver Hoxha.
Russia's Shoigu says ready to expand military co-operation with Iran
