French Government Bans Abaya in State-Run Schools, Prompting Mixed Reactions
PARIS, Aug 28 (Reuters) – The French government’s decision to ban the abaya, a loose-fitting, full-length robe worn by some Muslim women, in state-run schools has been met with applause from conservatives but also drawn criticism and mockery.
France, which has strict laws banning religious symbols in state schools, has been grappling with how to address the growing Muslim minority. The country’s secularism, known as “laicite,” is a sensitive topic that often provokes tension.
Education Minister Gabriel Attal explained the ban at a news conference, stating, “Our schools are continually put under test, and over the past months, breaches to laicite have increased considerably, in particular with (pupils) wearing religious attire like abayas and kameez.”
The ban has been welcomed by Eric Ciotti, the head of the conservative Les Republicains party, who had repeatedly called for such a measure. However, Clementine Autain, an MP for the hard-left France Insoumise, criticized the move as an “obsessional rejection of Muslims” and referred to it as the work of the “clothes police.”
Didier Georges, the national secretary of the SNPDEN-UNSA union of school principals, praised the decision, emphasizing the need for clarity. He stated, “What we wanted from ministers was: yes or no? We’re satisfied because a decision was made.”
Georges also expressed concerns about the increase in the number of pupils wearing the abaya and the impact on principals’ security. These concerns were further heightened after the 2020 killing of history teacher Samuel Paty by an Islamist radical, which shook the core of the country’s secular values.
Sophie Venetitay from the SNES-FSU union emphasized the importance of dialogue with pupils and families to ensure that the ban does not lead to children being taken out of state-run schools and sent to religious schools. She pointed out that the lack of teachers remains a more significant issue for schools.
France previously banned headscarves in schools in 2004 and full-face veils in public in 2010, both of which sparked controversy within the country’s Muslim community.
Gabriel Attal’s predecessor, Pap Ndiaye, had chosen not to specifically ban the abaya less than a year ago, citing legal difficulties. However, Abdallah Zekri, vice-chair of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), disagreed with Attal’s decision, arguing that the abaya is a type of fashion and not religious attire.
The ban on the abaya in French state-run schools has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding secularism and religious expression in the country.
Reporting by Juliette Jabkhiro, Tassilo Hummel, Bertrand Boucey, Ingrid Melander; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Nick Macfie
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