Austrian Government to Ban Islamic Headscarves in Schools by 2026
The Austrian government announced a ban on girls wearing Islamic headscarves in schools, set to take effect at the start of 2026.
According to Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, the coalition government in Vienna has come to a “successful compromise” following the Constitutional Court’s rejection of a prior school ban specifically targeting Muslims.
This week, the government expressed confidence that the proposed legislation will be approved by the Constitutional Commission.
Integration Minister Claudia Prakorum stated, as reported by Kronen Zeitung, “The scarf worn by an 11-year-old girl is and will continue to be a symbol of domination and oppression.”
She added that “Girls are left with feelings of shame, distorted body image, and unstable self-esteem,” highlighting the negative impacts of such head coverings.
The law, partially effective in February, will prohibit head coverings for female students under 14 in public, private, and religious schools in Austria. Starting next year, following an awareness campaign, parents or guardians could face fines ranging from 150 to 800 euros for violations.
Since the last attempt to pass such legislation in 2019, the number of affected Muslim girls has risen from 3,000 to around 12,000. The percentage of Muslim students in Vienna’s primary and secondary schools has increased to 41.2%, making them the largest group of young students in the city, according to an April report by Bettina Emmerling, the city’s education commissioner.
In contrast, Christian students account for only 34.5% of the population, as reported by Der Standard.
The report also indicates that young Muslims are increasingly likely to hold “derogatory” views, including anti-Semitic sentiments, hostility toward homosexuals, and rejection of gender equality. Emmerling emphasized the need for a mandatory common subject titled “Living in a Democracy” for all children starting from primary school, advocating for education in democracy, values, and ethics based on a shared foundation.
