(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/28/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the French government’s decision to ban Muslim students from wearing the abaya, a long, flowing robe-like garment worn by many Muslim women. CAIR also reiterated its call on the U.S. State Department to designate France a country of particular concern.
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.
SEE: France to ban wearing abaya dress in schools: Minister
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/27/france-to-ban-wearing-abaya-dress-in-schools-minister
France to ban Muslim students from wearing abayas in schools | CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/28/europe/france-abayas-schools-ban-intl/index.html
In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“The latest draconian, discriminatory measures imposed by the French government on Muslims must be condemned by the nations of the world. This is not only an anti-Muslim policy, but a sexist policy that singles out and targets young girls. The United Nations should investigate France for its repeated violations of the basic religious freedom, and the State Department should designate France as a country of particular concern.”
He noted that 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 Urges Biden to Condemn France’s Forced Closure of Last Major French Muslim Civil Rights Organization
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