The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on French lawmakers to reject proposed legislation that would ban the wearing of religiously-mandated attire in sports.
French lawmakers are debating a ban on “ostensibly religious” clothing and symbols in French sporting competitions. If passed, the ban would prevent the wearing of the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, the Jewish yarmulke, and other religious articles. Amnesty International has also called on French lawmakers to reject the ban.
SEE: French lawmakers debate ban on ‘ostensibly’ religious clothing in sports competitions | Euronews
France: Lawmakers must reject ‘discriminatory’ bill to ban hijabs in all sports
“Religious freedom is a fundamental human right that must be respected in all segments of society, including sports,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We urge French lawmakers to reject this discriminatory and Islamophobic proposal.”
He noted that CAIR previously opposed efforts to ban the hijab and other religious clothing in France and that March 15 is the UN-recognized International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
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