The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called a plan by French President Emmanuel Macron’s political party to ban those under 15 from wearing hijab, or Islamic head scarves, in public an “authoritarian attack on religious freedom.”
That proposed ban would forbid “minors under 15 from wearing the veil in public spaces,” apparently referring to places like the street, restaurants, parks, and stores.
In a letter to Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the United States, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw wrote in part:
“This authoritarian attack on religious freedom, which would exclusively target the French Muslim community, is an afront to the claimed ‘liberty’ and ‘equality’ in France’s national motto.
“Such a dictatorial proposal would create scenarios in which young girls wearing scarves are stopped on the street and questioned about their faith. If they are Christian, Jewish or Sikh wearing a head covering or scarf, they could go about their business after declaring their faith. But a Muslim girl who declared her faith would be subject to legal action.
“Is this really the 21st Century in France?”
Earlier this year, CAIR called on French lawmakers to reject proposed legislation that would ban the wearing of religiously-mandated attire in sports.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR previously opposed efforts to ban the hijab and other religious clothing in France.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes UN Experts’ Calls for France to Reverse Hijab Ban in Sports
CAIR Welcomes Amnesty’s Condemnation of French Hijab Bans in Olympics, Sports
CAIR Condemns French Court’s Ruling Upholding Ban on Hijab in Soccer Games
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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