US school district shut:

The homework assignment at a US high school asked students to reproduce a sample of classical Arabic handwriting, to help broaden their appreciation of its “artistry.”

Instead, it sparked an uproar -- and even threats of violence -- that led officials on Friday to temporarily shut down the entire school district.

It underlined simmering anti-Islamic sentiment in the United States following last month’s shooting massacre in California by a married Muslim couple who drew inspiration from the Islamic State group. (AFP)