Macron’s Party Proposes Ban on Muslim Scarves for Girls Under 15
Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party has put forward a proposal to prohibit girls under 15 from wearing Muslim scarves in public settings. This suggestion emerged during a significant government conference aimed at addressing what’s termed “political Islamism” in France.
The French presidential office has requested the pastor to provide a proposal by June to tackle the concerning findings from reports examining the French Muslim Brotherhood, which Macron had called for last year.
The report indicates that the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization established in Egypt over 90 years ago and pivotal to the rise of political Islam, poses a “threat to national unity” in France. It might undermine “social and Republican institutional structures.”
Prior to the meeting, former Prime Minister and current leader of the Macron party, Renaissance Gabriel Atal, suggested banning “minors under the age of 15 from wearing veils in public spaces.” He expressed that the veils could seriously compromise gender equality and child protection. Atal even proposed imposing legal consequences for parents permitting their daughters to wear such head coverings.
This proposal faced backlash from some left-wing politicians. Socialist MP Jerome Guedy argued that Atal is “pursuing the far right and altering French secularism against Muslims.”
Macron’s office stated that the report concerning the French Muslim Brotherhood would be released by the end of the weekend, noting that the “seriousness” of these findings prompted the government to quickly devise proposals.
According to Agence France-Presse, which obtained the report, there is evidence of the spread of Islamism “from the bottom up,” likely pointing to local politics, charities, schools, and sports groups. The document suggests this constitutes a “short-to-medium-term threat.”
It’s still unclear whether the recommendations will include restrictions on Muslim scarves. During the 2022 presidential campaign, Macron’s far-right opponent Marine Le Pen proposed banning such scarves for all women in public spaces across France.
Currently, French law prohibits civil servants in state buildings, including schools and hospitals, from wearing prominent religious symbols—this includes Christian crosses, Jewish kippas, Sikh turbans, and Muslim scarves. France’s secular republic is founded on the principle of separating church and state, fostering equality in personal beliefs while maintaining state neutrality regarding religion.
In 2004, France enacted a ban on Islamic scarves in state schools, alongside prohibiting all other religious symbols, aiming to keep schools devoid of religious influence.
There’s also ongoing discussion within the government about potentially introducing legislation to ban Muslim scarves at domestic sports events.
Elise emphasized the importance of the report on the Muslim Brotherhood, stating that “the movement exists in Europe, and its target is clearly Europe.” An official noted the need to “raise awareness within the European Union.”
However, Elise also clarified, “We are fighting Islamism and its fundamental excess.”
This report surfaces amidst French national politics’ focus on themes of national identity and Islam, with Le Pen gaining more support. Recently, hardline right-wing minister Bruno Reciro was appointed to lead the traditional right-wing Les Republicans after former leader Eric Ciotti allied with Le Pen.
Before Wednesday’s meeting, Retaillo told media outlets that political Islamism is “quietly infiltrating sports, culture, society, and other associations.” The ultimate aim, he noted, seemed to be guiding French society toward Sharia law.
The French Muslim Council responded, warning against generalizing and targeting all Muslims, stating, “more than anything, we should not give general doubts about French Muslims.”
