Debate over secularism and freedom of religion started yet again after France banned wearing abaya at schools

France finally declares ban on wearing abayas in French schools, where women have already been banned from wearing hijab. The loose-fitting, full-length robe worn by some Muslim women represents their religion and is a matter of debate in the country since long. France Education Minister Gabriel Attal in an interview with a TV Channel TF1 said, ‘I have decided that the abaya could no longer be worn in schools.’ He further added, ‘When you walk into a classroom, you shouldn’t be able to identify the pupils’ religion just by looking at them.’ The Muslim population living in the country are very hostile with constant legal prohibitions imposed by administration. According to the latest special Eurobarometer 493 (2019) the Muslim population in France is estimated to be 5% or 3.35 million.
Earlier, the country banned headscarves in 2004, in 2010 it passed a ban on face veils in public and outraged the Muslim community. The subject has been picked by The French Council of Muslim Faith has countered Minister’s ‘religion identify’ comment and said that certain items of clothing alone were not a ‘religious sign’. A national debate about secularism, religious and individual’s freedom is kicked off after a regressive decision made by administration, according to Imran. He is a businessman in India and lives with his family, however his sister is settled in France. He told EAT news, ‘It is a disrespectful to our religion. And above all, when countries are progressing with advance technology, inclusive mindsets, how a country like France is constantly attacking particular community with no satisfied justifications.’
France is constricted for religious markers considering them noticeable. Along with Islamic headscarves, Jewish yarmulkes and large Christian crosses have been banned under the French law since 2004. Political expert Gunjan denied of any personal attacks towards French Muslim community made by administration and called it a long awaiting decision that was eventually about to release. ‘France is not only doing it on Muslim community but on every evident religion sign that makes them different from French citizens. The country has secularism in its constitution but it also wants to promote equal rights for every citizen’, said Gunjan. There have been instances of strict actions taken against other religious signs, she pointed. In addition, ‘Every country has certain agenda to move forward with, and here France clearly has one. But not to target specific community’s sentiments intentionally, that is what my understanding says’, she said.
Education minister Attal continued, ‘Schools must, at all cost, perhaps even more than any other institution, be protected from religious proselytism, from any embryo of communitarianism or from the refusal of our most important common rules’. Is it what it is shown to us or islamophobia is the reason behind French administration going after the community with regulations?
According to expert Gunjan, there could be a possibility considering the past few events but she disagreed partially with the idea. She said, ‘It is a never-ending debate and no sides can be blamed. Terrorist activities do mass destruction at various levels. It has affected people, countries and the civilization terribly, so countries are prioritizing counter terrorism to avoid any suspicious behavior or people entering the country.’ But considering this as the only fact for French administration to be rigid about and passing a decision is not sensible at all, as per expert Gunjan.
Meanwhile a lot has started happening on twitter and Facebook after the decision. Social media platforms are full with number of comments. Some twitter users are mentioning it politically driven decision in schools involving freedom of religion will have impact on student’s frame of mind. Imran is worried for her sister’s family and said, ‘They shifted from UAE, few years ago and we thought they will have bright future onwards. But now I doubt. Not allowing people to follow their religion freely is a disturbing thing. My sister follows Islam completely and in future her daughter will do the same. It will be a problem for us if the school will not let her dress accordingly. This is violation of religious freedom.’
Sending a kid to a place where people will make him/her realize about restrictions their religion has on, is problematic, according to Imran. He called Moroccan footballer Nouhaila Benzina as a perfect symbol of religion inclusivity. ‘People watched her on field and we all couldn’t be prouder. She taught us to follow your dreams but to respect your religion too. Religion makes us individual and helps us to remain connected with our culture and inner self’, he told EAT news.
According to the Washington Post, ‘The announcement has also been welcomed by some school unions. A union representing school principals had asked the government for clarity on what they should do about abayas in schools, declaring themselves unprepared to handle the increased prevalence of the loose fitting, full body robes among their student bodies and unwilling to decide for themselves if abayas constituted an ‘ostentatious’ religious symbols.’