(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/26/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today sent a letter Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting the State Department condemn the French government’s Council of State’s recent decision to uphold the France’s ban on abayas worn by some Muslim students in schools.
CAIR also urged Secretary Blinken to strongly condemn the French government for prohibiting its own citizens from wearing hijab, or Islamic head scarves, at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
CLICK HERE: Read CAIR’s Letter to Secretary Blinken Regarding France’s Abaya, Hijab Bans
CAIR’s letter repeats the Muslim civil rights organization’s call for the U.S. government to designate France as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for its violations of religious freedom and to initiate a U.S. backed United Nations investigation into France’s recurrent breaches of fundamental religious freedoms.
CAIR noted in its letter that in response to France’s Olympic sports hijab ban, United Nations spokesperson Marta Hurtado told reporters, “No one should dictate what a woman must or must not wear.”
In a statement, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw said:
“France’s flagrant intolerance toward religious freedom and its Muslim citizenry demands a forceful response from world leaders, including the U.S. government. Our nation should take the lead in compelling the international community to take decisive action against France’s egregious religious freedom violations.
“By confronting France on the grave issue of Islamophobia and its assault on Muslim religious liberties, the United States can better champion a more inclusive and equitable French society that respects the rights and practices of all its citizens, including those with deeply-held religious convictions.”
The United States International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) characterizes severe violations of religious freedom as consistent, persistent, and extremely serious. CAIR contends that France’s actions meet these criteria and thus warrant strong condemnation from the U.S. government.
CAIR’s letter highlights the concerns surrounding France’s treatment of its Muslim population, which accounts for 8% of the total population and is the second-largest religion in the country. The organization argues that discriminatory measures and restrictions on Muslim expressions of faith have led to widespread discrimination, employment disparities, negative public perception, and intrusive government actions, such as mosque surveillance and closures.
On August 28, CAIR condemned the French government’s initial decision to ban Muslim students from wearing the abaya.
France’s education minister announced the ban ahead of the resumption of classes in the country. “I have decided that the abaya could no longer be worn in schools,” Education Minister Gabriel Attal said in an interview with TV channel TF1. “When you walk into a classroom, you shouldn’t be able to identify the pupils’ religion just by looking at them.”
Religious symbols like crucifixes, kippahs, and Islamic headscarves are banned in French schools.
CAIR has previously called for France to be designated as a country as particular concern.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Sec. of State Blinken to Condemn, Address Actions Targeting Mosques in India, France
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com