In an unexpected coalition, the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland (EAI) has joined with Atheist Ireland and Irish Ahmadiyya Muslims to work for alternatives to religious education in schools. They are hoping to do away with state-sponsored religious education courses required for students. They believe that requirement harms religion and state, even though 85% of Irish people identify as Catholics. The EAI stated that in opposing the course it seeks to ‘protect children from coercion and discrimination in the area of religious education.’ Atheist Ireland stated, ‘The minister for education should immediately inform all schools at second level that the state religious education is not compulsory. Imam Noonan stressed the importance of not allowing one particular faith to ‘have the monopoly in schools.’