France will ban Islamic students from wearing the abaya at school, the traditional tunic that covers the woman’s body from shoulders to feet, often accompanied by a veil that leaves only the face uncovered. This was announced by Education Minister Gabriel Attal this evening in an interview with the news channel TF1. Attal added that preparations were being made to send “clear rules at national level” to all school leaders.
Minister Attal announced his decision a few days after the reopening of schools in France, describing it as “necessary and just”: “The school of the Republic was built on strong values, particularly on secularism.” Secularism is a freedom, not a constraint. It must not be possible to ascertain a student’s religion upon entering a classroom.”
(News will be updated)