France’s education minister has announced a ban on students wearing the abaya, a loose-fitting full-length robe worn by some Muslim women, in state-run schools.
This rule will take effect from the upcoming school year starting on September 4th.
France, which has a strict ban on religious signs in state schools and government buildings, sees this move as upholding secular laws to prevent the display of religious affiliation in educational institutions.
Wearing a headscarf has been banned in such schools since 2004. The decision comes after months of debate, with right-wing parties favoring the ban and left-wing groups concerned about the rights of Muslim women and girls.
Education Minister Gabriel Attal argues that the abaya is a religious symbol that challenges the secular nature of schools.
France has a history of enforcing bans on religious signs in schools, reflecting its changing demographics over the years.
This decision follows increased scrutiny of Islamic symbols in the country since a teacher’s murder in 2020 over the display of Prophet Mohammed caricatures.
