France's Controversial Move: Abayas Banned in State-Run Schools to Uphold Secularism

France to Ban Wearing of Abayas in State-Run Schools France will implement a ban on children wearing the abaya, the loose-fitting full-length robes worn by some Muslim women, in state-run schools, according to the country's Education Minister, Gabriel Attal. The announcement comes as France grapples with updating its guidelines in response to its growing Muslim minority population. France has had a strict ban on religious signs in state schools since the 19th century, as part of efforts to remove traditional Catholic influence from public education. In 2004, headscarves were banned in schools, and in 2010, a ban on full face veils in public was passed, both of which sparked controversy within the Muslim community. The decision to ban abayas in schools is rooted in the defense of secularism, a principle that resonates across the political spectrum in France.

Supporters of the ban argue that it is necessary to ensure that students' religious affiliations are not easily identifiable by their attire within the classroom. Attal stated in an interview with TV channel TF1, "When you walk into a classroom, you shouldn't be able to identify the pupils' religion just by looking at them." This move follows months of debate regarding the wearing of abayas in French schools, where women have long been prohibited from wearing the hijab. Although other religious symbols such as large crosses, Jewish kippas, and Islamic headscarves are already banned in French public schools, the status of abayas was previously ambiguous.

The French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM) argued that abayas are not inherently a religious sign. The ban advocated by the right and far-right factions in France has faced opposition from the left, who argue that it encroaches on civil liberties. The issue highlights the ongoing tension in the country between defending secularism and accommodating religious minorities. France's struggle to strike a balance between its secular values and the growing role of Islam in society continues to be a contentious and complex issue. The ban on abayas in state-run schools represents the latest chapter in this ongoing debate.