Ban on the abaya at school: Manuel Bompard proposes to seize the Council of State

2023-08-29 09:29:00

Insubordinate France is stepping up to the plate. The ban on wearing the abaya at school, announced by the government in the name of secularism, is denounced in particular by the left. “I will propose to our parliamentary group to attack the Council of State this regulation”, announced the deputy Manuel Bompard, the coordinator of LFI, invited by “Four truths” on France 2 this Tuesday, without specifying a timetable.

Cultural clothing, as the French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) argued in June, religious, or simple fashion? The abaya, a traditional dress from the Middle East, has sparked debate for several months. The ban announced by the Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal, should help the directors of establishments who had to judge alone, as recommended by the former Minister Pap Ndiaye, whether or not wearing this garment had a religious.

Manuel Bompard judges this measure “unconstitutional” and makes the distinction between the veil and the abaya which is “a long dress”. “In my opinion, (this measure) is dangerous, it is cruel. It will once again result in discrimination against young women and in particular of the Muslim faith,” he believes.

“We don’t need that in our country. Religion must be a factor of unity, a factor of peace. Secularism must be a factor of unity, a factor of peace. It should not be a factor of division and stigmatization, argues the MP. Be careful, when we start to regulate outfits, especially for women, we open a Pandora’s box from which we will not get out.

Applauded by the right, decried by part of the left, the political class was once again divided on the subject. According to a note from the state services, of which AFP obtained a copy, attacks on secularism, much more numerous since the assassination in 2020 near his college of Professor Samuel Paty, increased by 120% between the school year 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The wearing of signs and outfits, which represents the majority of violations, has increased by more than 150% throughout the last school year.