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French Interior Minister Pushes to Extend Hijab Ban to School Chaperones

Thursday 09 January 2025 - 08:20

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French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has announced plans to expand restrictions on religious attire, specifically targeting the wearing of hijabs by women who accompany children on school trips. In a recent interview with Le Parisien, Retailleau emphasized his intention to extend France's 2004 law on religious symbols to include these educational activities.

"School outings are school outside the walls," Retailleau stated, expressing his commitment to introducing new legislation through a proposed bill. The minister characterized the hijab as more than clothing, describing it as "a banner for Islamism, and a symbol of subjugation of women to men." He advocated for broader application of France's secular principles across public spaces.

This proposed expansion of restrictions has emerged amid ongoing concerns about France's approach to Islamic practices. Critics have characterized the country's policies as extreme and discriminatory toward Muslim communities, who continue to face various challenges including vandalism of religious sites, harassment, and physical attacks.

A notable incident occurred in November when a 43-year-old Muslim woman fell victim to a violent assault by two individuals. The attackers reportedly made inflammatory statements referencing Palestinians while attacking her. "They pinned me to the ground and beat me. They ripped off my hijab and hair while calling me a 'dirty race,'" the victim recounted.

France's policies regarding Islamic dress have drawn international criticism, particularly concerning restrictions that prevent hijab-wearing women and girls from participating in sports, including school athletics. In October, United Nations experts called on France to eliminate these discriminatory measures, emphasizing that "Muslim girls and women who wear the hijab must have equal rights to participate in cultural and sporting life, as well as in all aspects of French society."

The minister's latest proposal represents a continued expansion of France's distinctive approach to secularism, known as "laïcité," which has generated significant debate about the balance between religious freedom and state neutrality in public spaces.