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The private school has received fierce calls from officials to stop such practice in an “open and tolerant country”.

The controversial gym lessons are being held in the Al-Azhar school in Swedish capital of Stockholm.

Girls have also been banned from taking off their veils or wearing t-shirts when they are around boys.

According to the gym teacher Nina Da Mata, “the girls feel more secure when they are in a group of their own.”

She said: “Some of our girls want to be able to take off their veils and wear shorts and t-shirts in their classes. It would be difficult if there were boys of the same age or a male teacher.”

The 660-student school was founded in 1995.