French Interior Minister Opposes Ban on Hijab for Young Girls
The English section of webangah News Agency, citing mehr News Agency via Al Jazeera, reports that calls to tighten legal restrictions on wearing the hijab in public places are growing in France. This debate intensifies amid the rising influence of far-right factions in a country home to one of Europe’s largest Muslim communities.
Last week, Laurent Fucier, leader of the right-wing Republican party faction in the National Assembly, introduced a bill banning young girls from wearing the hijab in public.
A report by the Senate branch of this party went further, suggesting Ramadan fasting should be prohibited for those under 16 years old.
Gérald darmanin, former Paris police chief and October appointee as Interior Minister replacing Bruno Retailleau (former minister and republican member), told BFMTV: “this proposal severely damages the reputation of Muslims in our country and could cause feelings of hurt and discrimination. I do not support this bill as it currently stands.”
The issue has sparked tension even within President emmanuel Macron’s government, which recognizes that far-right parties hold strong prospects for victory in the 2027 presidential election.
Aurore Bergé, Minister for Equality, told CNews she backs banning headscarves for young girls on grounds of “child protection.”
Bergé added: “I have no doubt there is now a majority both in the national assembly and Senate ready to vote for this measure.”
in May, Renaissance-the centrist-right party led by Macron-proposed through former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to ban wearing hijabs by girls under 15 years old in public spaces.
Under current French law-which enshrines secularism-government employees, teachers, and students are prohibited from displaying overt religious symbols such as crosses, jewish kippahs, Sikh turbans or hijabs within state buildings; this ban also applies specifically to public schools.
