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Rabat – The French Senate’s decision to ban the wearing of the hijab (Muslim veil) at sports event has sparked controvery and uproar among France’s Muslims and commenters from around the world.
On Tuesday, the French senate ruled the prohibition of the wearing of “conspicuous religious symbols” in sports competitions. Particularly targeting the Muslim veil, the amendment claimed that the hijab can put the safety of athletes wearing it at risk.
It is still not confirmed whether the ban will be applied during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The decision instantly sparked a popular backlash, with critics taking to social media to lash out at the French government and cast doubt on France’s commitment to its self-perception as the “land of Liberty.”
Commenting on the ban, TV presenter Samia Mohsin described it as an act of “exclusion and discrimination.”
The journalist emphasized that “Islamophobia is not the answer!” to France’s crisis of identity.
“Liberté? Or exclusion & discrimination? Senators in #France voted in favour of #HijabBan in #sports,” she tweeted. “The amendment was proposed by right-wing Les Republicains & opposed by the French government. #Islamophobia is not the answer.” she wrote in a tweet.
Another Twitter user slammed France for its decision to pick on Islam and Islamic symbols while ignoring more critical challenges facing thecountry.
“Of all urgencies facing France, the Senat has decided to ban the Muslim hijab in sports. It will be on the majority of the French to decide what matters, food on the table a future for their kids, or constant islamodiversion and a sense of superiority twds their Muslim neighbors,” the tweet reads.
Another commenter suggested that a decision like the banning of the hijab will make the situation “worse” for Muslim women in France.
“France already banned the niqab & prohibits mothers wearing hijab from accompanying their children on school trips. France knows they can get away w/ this without any repercussions,” she wrote.
Several similar controversies emerged in recent months after French MPs showed hostility toward women wearing hijab in the parliament.
In 2020, MPs left a parliament meeting over a student wearing a hijab.
In 2019, some MPs provoked a similar outrage for asking a Muslim woman to remove her veil while taking part in a plenary meeting of the Regional Council of Burgundy-Franch-Comte.
The woman was accompanying her son on a school trip to explore the mission of the “democratic assembly.” She left the room with her son after the argument, with the boy crying after witnessing MPs verbally attack his mother.
