(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/29/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a decision by a French court that upholds that country’s ban on wearing the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, during soccer games.
France’s top administrative court today ruled against a group of Muslim female soccer players in their case against the French Football Federation, whose rules ban the wearing of the hijab during games. Soccer’s world governing body FIFA lifted a similar ban on female players wearing the hijab more than a decade ago.
SEE: Top French court upholds ban on wearing hijab during soccer games
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/top-french-court-upholds-ban-wearing-hijab-during-soccer-games-2023-06-29/
“The French court’s ruling is an affront to religious freedom and represents yet another attack on Islamic practice in the country,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We stand in solidarity with French Muslims against global Islamophobia and we call on nations that claim to support freedom to condemn France’s continued targeting of Muslims.”
He noted that last year, CAIR condemned a French law that could ban Muslim athletes from wearing hijabs, or Islamic headscarves at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
SEE: CAIR Condemns French Law That Could Ban Hijabs for Muslim Athletes in 2024 Paris Olympics
He also noted that in 2017, CAIR welcomed the official implementation of a new ruling by the Switzerland-based International Basketball Federation (FIBA) that lifts the ban on religious headgear and allows players who wear articles of faith to participate in international competitions.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Implementation of New FIBA Policy Allowing Religious Headgear
CAIR applauded FIBA’s 2014 decision to drop its hijab ban.
SEE: CAIR Applauds FIBA Decision to Drop Basketball Hijab Ban
In 2020, CAIR called on the Indiana-based Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to drop a requirement that Muslim athletes obtain “authorization” in order to compete wearing a hijab.
SEE: CAIR Asks National High School Sports Federation to Drop Religious Attire Authorization Requirement
Last year, CAIR welcomed the Inclusive Athletic Attire Act, which ensures student athletes’ right to wear religious articles including the hijab, going into effect as law in Maryland.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Hijab Sports Bill Taking Effect in Maryland
Also last year, CAIR-Ohio welcomed the signing of Senate Bill 181 into law by Gov. Mike DeWine. The new law will protect students’ right to wear hijab in school sports and extracurricular activities.
SEE: CAIR-Ohio Welcomes New Ohio Law Protecting the Right to Wear Hijab in School Sports
In 2021, CAIR welcomed the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) decision to permit volleyball players to wear religious headgear months after a Tennessee Muslim athlete was barred from a volleyball game because of her hijab.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes National Athletic Association’s Decision to Permit Hijabs, Other Religious Headgear for Volleyball Players
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