The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a report published by Spain’s Institute of Women, an agency under the Ministry of Equality, that raised concerns about discrimination against Muslim girls who wear an Islamic headscarf, or hijab, in Spanish educational institutions.
The report, “Hands Off That! Discrimination Against Young Muslim Women Wearing the Hijab in the Education System,” highlights barriers to equal education, including exclusionary policies and practices that disproportionately affect Muslim students, particularly girls who choose to wear hijab. It underscores the need for educational environments that respect religious freedom, diversity and the rights of all students.
[NOTE: Feb. 1 is World Hijab Day.]
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We welcome this important report by Spain’s Institute of Women for shedding light on the discrimination experienced by Muslim girls in schools simply because of their religious identity and choices of attire. No student should be denied equal access to education or made to feel marginalized for expressing their faith. Protecting the right of students to learn in an environment free from discrimination is a fundamental human rights issue, and we urge Spanish authorities and educational institutions to take meaningful steps to address these concerns.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR encouraged policymakers, educators and civil society organizations to engage with the findings of the report and work collaboratively to ensure that schools are safe and welcoming spaces for students of all backgrounds.
CAIR noted that discrimination against hijab-wearing students is not limited to Spain and remains a broader challenge across Europe and other parts of the world.
Last month, CAIR said a vote in Austria to ban Islamic headscarves, or hijab, in schools for girls under the age of 14 violated religious freedom and will only serve to marginalize the Muslim community in that nation.
Earlier this month, CAIR expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Scotland after a mosque was targeted with hate graffiti.
Last year, CAIR express similar solidarity with Muslims in Scotland and the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Ireland after hate incidents targeting those communities.
Also last year, CAIR said that Islamophobia is “spinning out of control” in Europe.
CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
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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