On March 30th, the French Senate voted in favor of a law prohibiting women under 18 from wearing any religious attire that is specifically associated with women in public spaces. The legislation aims to ban “conspicuous religious symbols by minors,” ostensibly to uphold secularism. However, this move is clearly directed at Muslim women and their choice to wear hijabs.
For many young Muslim women, the hijab is a personal choice made during adolescence as a part of their identity. This new restriction is part of the broader Separatist Bill. While the French government asserts that the bill promotes individual freedom, it actually resembles forced assimilation rather than true secularism.
The implications of this ban extend beyond the hijab itself. Mothers who wear hijabs will also be barred from participating in school activities, such as chaperoning field trips. This is particularly troubling, as finding volunteers for such events can be challenging. Excluding willing participants based on their religious attire is inherently unjust. If a mother wishes to engage in her child’s educational experiences, her choice to wear a hijab should not be a barrier.
Furthermore, the ban extends to burkinis at public swimming pools, which raises questions about personal autonomy. Women wear burkinis to maintain modesty, so why would the government enforce regulations that compel them to reveal their bodies against their will? This intrusion on personal choice is both perplexing and unjustified.
This hijab ban is merely the latest in a series of actions that restrict the freedoms of Muslim women in France. In 2010, former President Nicolas Sarkozy enacted a ban on face coverings, including the burqa and niqab. Although the law also prohibits hoods, it disproportionately affects Muslim women. A UN committee highlighted in a 2018 ruling that such bans violate human rights, stating that they could lead to further marginalization and confinement of fully veiled women.
The French government seems to believe that this ban protects young girls from being coerced into wearing the hijab. However, for many, the hijab is a personal choice that empowers them. The attempt to “liberate” young women through such legislation is misguided at best.
This perspective reflects a troubling trend of white saviorism, where the French government assumes it knows what is best for young Muslim girls, implying that they need saving from their own choices. Such paternalistic attitudes only serve to alienate these individuals further. The government’s actions suggest that they view Muslim practices as incompatible with French identity, which feels more like enforced assimilation than genuine national pride.
As highlighted by French-Tunisian fashion expert Layla Bint Ahmed, there is a troubling infantilization of Muslim women in these policies. “We live in a society where women wearing hijabs are denied opportunities in various public spheres,” she noted. “These laws aimed at ‘liberating’ us only serve to push us further into isolation.”
This ban will not save anyone; rather, it will deepen the divide between Muslim women and society. By denying them the freedom to practice their religion, the French government communicates that they do not belong. Imagine living in a society that continually strips you of your rights; why would you want to contribute to a culture that oppresses you?
The hijab ban essentially forces Muslim women to abandon their religious beliefs to fit into a narrow definition of French identity. Practicing their faith provides them with community and belonging, something that being French, under these circumstances, does not.
The hypocrisy of the French government is evident when considering their recent decision to lower the age of sexual consent to 15 while simultaneously denying young girls the autonomy to decide what to wear. How can a government argue that minors are capable of consenting to sexual activity but not to their own religious choices? It simply does not add up.
Most young Muslim women are fully capable of making informed decisions about their faith and practice. If France aims to foster unity among its citizens, it must reconsider its approach. The hijab ban will not create a sense of belonging; it will only serve to isolate individuals based on their religious identity.
Ultimately, no one should have to choose between their faith and their identity as a citizen. The attempt to “save” Muslim women from their religion is not liberation; it is a fear of cultural difference that leads to oppression.
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Summary:
The recent hijab ban in France targets Muslim women under 18, claiming to promote secularism while effectively enforcing assimilation. This legislation not only restricts young girls’ freedom to choose their religious attire but also limits the participation of hijabi mothers in school activities. The ban is part of a larger pattern of systemic discrimination against Muslim women in France, revealing a troubling paternalism that infantilizes their choices. Ultimately, this law does not protect young women; it alienates them and forces them to navigate a society that denies their identity and autonomy.
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