France BANS abaya dress in state schools
Muslim leaders have reacted with anger to a sudden move by the French government to ban the abaya in state schools.
The loose-fitting long robe is considered too closely linked with Islam by Gabriel Attal, the education secretary in Paris.
France has a strict ban on religious signs in state schools and government buildings, because they violate laws on secularism.
Announcing a ban starting on September 4, at the start of new school year, Mr Attal said: ‘When you walk into a classroom, you shouldn’t be able to identify the pupils’ religion just by looking at them. I have decided that the abaya can no longer be worn in schools.’
But Abdallah Zekri, vice-president of the French Council for Muslim Worship, said the abaya ‘has never been a religious symbol anyway’.
Instead, he said the ban was yet another example of politicians using dress favoured by women and girls to attack some five-million Muslims living in France.
‘I think the minister could have asked the opinion of religious leaders,’ said Mr Zerkri.
‘For me, the abaya is not a religious dress, it is a form of fashion.
‘If you go to some stores, you find abayas. It’s a long and loose dress at the same time. It has nothing to do with religion.’
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Long overdue