Headscarves in France

Senor Grommet · Post by **Senor Grommet** » 29 Aug 2004 12:51

Im interested in the issue of the muslim population wearing headscarves in the public sphere of french life. I am interested in hearing what the french citizens of Modified think of this issue (french gov't banning the overt wearing of religious symbolism like headscarves, crosses, and skull caps in public places like schools). Please share your thoughts on the issue as well as how, if at all, it is affecting your lives or your friends lives, or anything else you may wish to share on this issue. I do not yet have an opinion on the issue.

ebo · Post by **ebo** » 29 Aug 2004 15:53

It's the same in Germany. Teachers that are Muslims are not allowed
to wear a headscarf in class. However, every christian is allowed to
wear a cross.

This is so intolerant. A friend's mother who is a teacher tried to get
an action going - since only muslims are restricted to wear a headscarf
in school, she suggested that every non-muslimic teacher should wear
a headscarf in protest. A good idea, but it didn't work out.

max · Post by **max** » 30 Aug 2004 01:02

Yes these laws have been passed in France very recently. Very controversial laws indeed. What they say in very very llose terms is this: If you are in the school grounds, you are nto allowed to wear ostensible religious artifacts. That means BIG crosses, fatma's hands or David's star, although you can have a small one around your neck. No kippas and head scraves also.

Again this is a very new law, it's aim is to discourage religious segregation in the school grounds. I'm not quite sure what to think about this law although in a multi-cultural environment like we have in France, it probably is best to keep religion OUT of school.

innersmile · Post by **innersmile** » 30 Aug 2004 01:26

That's really interesting, and provided the law is implemented fairly across the spectrum I think it's a good move.

Too much trouble starts with religious conflict so keeping the number 1 cause of war out of schools is a wise move.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 30 Aug 2004 04:07

I think the point about this law is that even though it applies to all religions - the two religions it actually effects is Islam and Judaism since people of these religions sometimes have strong beliefs about what should be worn and the reasons for wearing it - while Christianty has no such strong beliefs and is not so effected by such a law.

I think the preaching of religion should definitly be kept out of schools but I also think that people who go to school should be intitled to follow a religion if they are so inclined and if they believe that certain clothing is an important part of that religion they shouldn't be discriminated against.

My understanding of the situation in France is that the beliefs about it being necessary to wear the hijab is isolated to particular sections of the muslim community - and those that do not believe it to be necessary have been strong campaigners in getting this law passed and have been advocating it.

I don't really know the full details but it does seem most likely that the some of the more fundamentalist sections of the Muslim community and much of the Jewish community is being discriminated against.