France Considers Ban on Minors Wearing Hijabs

French President Emmanuel Macron’s political party is looking to impose a ban on minors under 15 wearing Muslim headscarves in public. A report addressing the influence of “political Islamism” in France will be reviewed by the government today.

Macron is set to meet with key officials to go over a document that labels the Muslim Brotherhood as a threat to national unity in France, citing concerns that it could undermine “the structure of society and Republican institutions.”

The proposed legislation from the Renaissance party aims to prevent minors under 15 from donning veils in public spaces, like outside their homes, in cafes, parks, and shops.

The party argues that wearing the hijab “severely undermines gender equality and child protection.”

Led by former Prime Minister Gabriel Atal, the Renaissance party also plans to implement “criminal penalties for parents who coerce their minor daughters into wearing veils.”

Though the Renaissance holds a minority position in the French parliament, it collaborates with traditional right-wing groups.

Critics of the hijab see it as a sign of the growing Islamization in France following a series of violent jihadist attacks, while others advocate for the right to religious expression through personal choice of attire.

Jordan Bardera, the leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), has accused Atal of reversing his stance on the issue, sharing a video from a 2022 discussion where Atal warned against targeting veiled women under Marine Le Pen’s presidency.

Le Pen had previously called for a ban on hijabs in public spaces during the 2022 presidential election, which did not succeed.

Current French law already prohibits overt religious symbols, such as Jewish kippas, Sikh turbans, and Muslim hijabs, in government buildings, including public schools, affecting civil servants, teachers, and students alike.

The government is also advocating for new regulations against wearing scarves in sports competitions throughout the country. Critics argue that this is yet another measure that discriminates against Muslim women visibly.

France and Germany host the largest Muslim populations within the European Union.