Abaya-wearing school girls sent home from school: Islamophobia in French politics

A new policy enforcing a dress code that bans Islamic abayas has sparked questions on the presence of islamophobia in French politics. The abaya is a long, loose garment worn by some Muslim women that covers the whole body. The ban reflects the French commitment to the principle of Laïcité (secularism), the cornerstone of republican values that originated during the 19th century due to the influence of the Church within state-run establishments. The decision follows the 2004 law banning ‘conspicuous religious symbols’ in educational settings. 

The French Education Minister Gabriel Attal recently announced the ban on abayas and khamis at a news conference, stating that the policy would come into force on the first day of the new school year, less than a week after the ban was announced. This was met with opposition by muslim school girls across France, with almost 300 defying the ban and the 67 who refused to change were sent home. 

The Actions for the Rights of Muslims (ADM) association has filed an urgent motion with the state council on the basis that it is discriminatory and could incite ethnic profiling and hatred towards Muslims. The state council rejected the arguments as the abaya is seen to “follow the logic of religious affirmation” and the ban is based on the 2004 law. 

President Macron has strongly supported the ban with the reasoning that there is a minority in France who Hijack a religion and challenge the republic which leads to consequences such as the murder of Samuel Paty. Macron has since been criticised for conflating a long dress with terrorism. 

In a radio interview with RTL, The French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has rejected claims that the new policy is xenophobic. Borne claimed that such accusations are being manipulated by the left in an attempt at provocation, specifically by the left-wing political party La France Insournise (LFI).