The education minister says female Muslim students will not be allowed to wear the loose-fitting robe.

Pupils will be banned from wearing abayas, loose-fitting full-length robes worn by some Muslim women, in France’s state-run schools, the education minister has said.

The rule will be applied as soon as the new school year starts on 4 September.

France has a strict ban on religious signs in state schools and government buildings, arguing that they violate secular laws.

Wearing a headscarf has been banned since 2004 in state-run schools.

  • Guntrigger@feddit.chEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    It’s not really obvious, which is why I had to ask. The article focuses on a piece of clothing which isn’t really religiously significant being banned, so I wouldn’t say it’s obvious what falls under the law.

    • Vespair@lemm.eeEnglish
      11·
      1 year ago

      But the reason it was banned was clearly identified as being because it is symbolic of a religion. Based on that, how wouldn’t a cross necklace also qualify?

      • Guntrigger@feddit.chEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        The law has already been in place for many years and this item is just now being banned, as if they suddenly realised now that it’s symbolic. Don’t act like it should be obvious what items are included and what is not, as that is the whole point of this being news.

        I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a French perspective on the specifics.