French ban of abaya robes in schools draws applause, criticism
www.reuters.com
The decision on the robes, worn by some Muslim women, is part of a ban on religious symbols in state schools to uphold France's strict brand of secularism.

The French government’s decision to ban children from wearing the abaya, the loose-fitting, full-length robes worn by some Muslim women, in state-run schools drew applause on Monday from the right, but also criticism.

    • Dremor@lemmy.worldEnglish
      191·
      1 year ago

      Crucifixes and yarmulkes (also known as kippas) are also banned, yes.

      • bobman@unilem.orgEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        The other commenter was saying ‘crosses are allowed if they’re not too big.’

        Which is it?

        • Dremor@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          Usually if it isn’t visible. Like a necklace worn under clothes. The idea being that you should not make your religious apparent.

          • bobman@unilem.orgEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            He was saying that they would wear them around their necks and in their ears and nobody would bother them about it.

            • Dremor@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              1 year ago

              It is mainly up to the head of the school to define what is acceptable or not.

              In my case it wouldn’t bother me me if a Jewish, Muslim, or any other religion student wore a penny sized necklace under his clothes, but not if it is a ostensible one.

              That’s the problem with clothes, it shows ostensibly from which religion, caste or culture you are from.

              • bobman@unilem.orgEnglish
                1·
                1 year ago

                Yeah, he didn’t make any mention of obscuring it with clothing or it being up to the ‘head of the school.’

                • Dremor@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  11·
                  1 year ago

                  The law is intentionally broad while leaving some space for interpretation in order to encompasse case that may not yet exist.

                  Law is like an onion. Each layer encompasses the previous one with more precise definition, while not contradicting it. In this case, the constitution protect the freedom of religion, but also separate religion from the state. Thus you are free to have one, but not to ostensibly display it in public (by that I mean in state owned) spaces.

                  From this point you have 2 way to say what is considered as ostensible according to said law. Application decrees, which is taken by the executive branch, and which is what was used in this case. And jurisprudence, which are the result of the judiciary branch.

    • Magnor@lemmy.magnor.ovhEnglish
      43·
      1 year ago

      They are banned but it is not exactly the same. Those are religious items. The abaya is a whole genre of clothing.