On the inaugural day of the school year in France, numerous girls were sent back home for not adhering to the recently imposed ban on wearing abayas, a traditional Muslim attire, as government official Gabriel Attal. Approximately 300 girls arrived at school wearing the garment, with 67 steadfastly refusing to change their attire, consequently being sent home.
This recent prohibition, part of a broader effort to uphold secular principles in educational institutions, has also banned Muslim headscarves, viewed as a symbol of religious endorsement. While the political right has lauded the decision, critics from the hard left perceive it as an infringement on civil liberties.
The students not allowed entry received a letter from their families, highlighting that “secularism is not a constraint, it is a liberty”. Attal indicated that a “new dialogue” would be initiated if the students returned wearing the garment.
Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron defended the policy on Monday, condemning a “minority” in the country for misrepresenting a religion and opposing the principles of the republic and secularism. Furthermore, a Muslim association has approached the State Council, the paramount court for grievances against governmental entities in France, seeking a judicial order against the prohibition of both abayas and games, a similar attire for men.
