France has banned Muslim female students from wearing abayas in public schools. The French Minister of Education has officially announced a ban on Muslim female students wearing abayas in public schools. According to the statement, the use of abaya is a violation of France’s strict secular laws regarding education.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, Education Minister Gabriel Atal has said that it will not be possible to wear the abaya in schools. He added that he would give “clear rules” to school principals before the start of classes across the country from September 4, 2023.
🔴 "L'abaya ne pourra plus être portée à l'école", annonce @GabrielAttal, ministre de l’Éducation nationale et de la Jeunesse
▶ #LE20H d'@ACCoudray pic.twitter.com/93bIbkSd02
— TF1Info (@TF1Info) August 27, 2023
France has strictly banned religious symbols in public schools since 19th-century laws. The French government is reviving these guidelines to tackle the decreasing traditional Catholic influence and the growing Muslim minority.
France banned the wearing of headscarves in schools in 2004. In 2010, the full-face veil was banned in public places. The 5 million-strong Muslim community expressed displeasure with this decision.