France to ban wearing of abayas in state schools

Decision comes from Education Minister Gabriel Attal, who wants to implement it before next school year

PARIS – France is set to ban the wearing of abayas, the loose robes worn by some Muslim women, in state schools.

The decision comes from Education Minister Gabriel Attal, who wants to implement the change before the next school year.

France has long maintained a strict ban on religious symbols in public schools, a legacy of 19th century laws aimed at removing traditional Catholic influence from education.

The legislation dates to the 19th century and aims to remove traditional Catholic influence in education. The move comes amid ongoing debates over the place of the abaya in French schools, where the wearing of hijabs is already banned for women.

In 2004, the wearing of headscarves in schools was banned, followed by a ban on full-face veils in public spaces in 2010, which caused resentment among the country’s large Muslim community.

The decision to ban abayas in schools highlights the ongoing challenge for France to reconcile its secular values with the growing presence of the Muslim minority.

The decision has generated both support and opposition. Some argue that it interferes with civil liberties, while others see it as a necessary step in maintaining secularism.

 In an interview with TV, the education minister said the goal is to create an environment where a student’s religion cannot be identified by his or her clothing.

The French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM), a national body that includes many Muslim associations, has said that clothing alone is not “a “religious sign”.