Rights group challenges France schools abaya ban in supreme court

PARIS (AA) – A rights watchdog in France has challenged the government’s ‘abaya’ dress ban in schools at the Council of State, the country’s highest court, a lawyer said.

The abaya is a full-length dress worn by some Muslim women for religious reasons.

Vincent Brengarth, the lawyer for the Muslim Rights Action (ADM), said on X that they filed an appeal with the Council of State to seek the suspension of the ban on the abaya, which he said violates “several fundamental freedoms.”

French Education Minister Gabriel Attal last week announced that students wearing the overgarment will not be able to attend classes when the new school year starts on Monday.

“They (students) will be welcomed to the school and there will be a discussion to explain to them the point of the rule, why this decision was taken, and why they cannot wear abaya or qamis at school,” said Attal.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed that the government will be uncompromising on the overgarment ban in schools.

He backed Attal’s stance, saying: “We will be uncompromising on this topic. … We will take actions beyond words.”

The controversial move sparked backlash towards the government which has been criticized for targeting Muslims with statements and policies in recent years including raids on mosques and charitable foundations, and an “anti-separatism” law that slaps wide-ranging restrictions on the community.