Rabat – French public schools faced controversy on the first day of the new school year as dozens of Muslim girls were sent home for refusing to remove their abayas, long, loose-fitting robes worn by some Muslim women and girls. This move follows the French government’s recent ban on the garment, citing concerns about secularism in education, Al Jazeera reported.
Education Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed that nearly 300 girls showed up for school on Monday morning wearing abayas in defiance of the ban. While the majority of students complied and changed out of the robes, 67 girls refused to do so and were subsequently sent home.
The government’s decision to ban the abaya in schools was announced last month, adding to the existing restrictions on religious symbols in educational institutions. This ban encompasses headscarves, kippas, and crosses, all of which are considered displays of religious affiliation and have been prohibited in French public schools since 2004.
President Emmanuel Macron defended the controversial measure on Monday evening, emphasizing that a “minority” in France was “hijacking a religion and challenging the republic and secularism.”
He referred to the tragic murder of teacher Samuel Paty three years ago, who was killed for showing Prophet Muhammad caricatures during a civics education class, as one of the “worst consequences” of religious extremism.
Read also: France’s Minister of Education Announced Ban on Abaya Dress in Schools
While the ban has received support from the political right in France, it has also sparked outrage on the hard left, who view it as an affront to civil liberties and religious freedom.
In response to the ban, the Action for the Rights of Muslims (ADM), an association representing Muslims in France, has filed a motion with the State Council. The State Council is France’s highest court for complaints against state authorities.
The motion seeks an injunction against the ban on the abaya and the qamis, its equivalent dress for men. The outcome of this motion is expected to be examined later on Tuesday.
The controversy surrounding the abaya ban reflects the ongoing debate in France over the balance between secularism and religious freedom.
