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Rabat – French President Emmanuel Macron’s political party, Renaissance, has proposed a new law that would ban girls under 15 from wearing hijab, the Muslim headscarf, in public places.
The proposal comes as the French government reviews a report about the influence of “political Islamism” in the country. The report warns that groups like the Muslim Brotherhood could be a threat to France’s unity and democratic values.
Renaissance said the hijab “seriously harms gender equality and the protection of children.” The party also wants to introduce a “criminal offence for coercion against parents who force their underage daughters to wear the veil.”
Under the proposal, girls under 15 would not be allowed to wear the hijab in public spaces such as streets, parks, cafes, or shops.
France already has strict laws on religious symbols. Civil servants, teachers, and students in public schools are not allowed to wear visible religious items like Christian crosses, Jewish kippas, Sikh turbans, or Muslim hijabs. The government is also working on a new law to ban hijab in sports competitions.
France, which holds one of the largest Muslim populations in Europe, has repeatedly come under fire for its anti-hijab policies and was accused of Islamophobia. One of the most controversial policies was several French towns’ decision to ban burkinis in public pools.
Supporters of the new proposal say it will protect children and defend France’s secular traditions, while critics argue it targets Muslim girls and women unfairly. Many say wearing the hijab is part of their religion and should be a personal choice.
Since the recent proposal was announced, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), accused Renaissance party chair Gabriel Attal of changing his opinion on the hijab. He shared a video from 2022 where Attal warned that banning the hijab could lead to discrimination against Muslim women, especially under a government led by far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
During her 2022 presidential campaign, Le Pen called for a complete ban on hijabs in all public places.
Renaissance is part of a minority government and does not hold a majority in parliament, so the future of the proposal – although alarming to all Muslims and those hoping for religious freedom in France – is not certain.
