In a move that has sparked a new wave of outrage over religious freedom in Europe, France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced on Tuesday his intention to impose a ban on the wearing of the hijab in French universities — escalating what many see as a long-running campaign targeting Muslim women.
During a televised interview, Retailleau claimed that “a form of Islamism incompatible with traditional Islam” was on the rise, alleging that it aims to “impose values that subordinate women to men.”
He further asserted that this “trend” poses a threat to the values of the French Republic, stating that banning the hijab in universities is now a necessity.
Attempting to deflect criticism, Retailleau claimed his remarks were not directed at Muslims as a whole, saying:
“Muslims should not take this personally. Political Islam is distorting their faith,”
— a statement widely condemned by Muslim advocacy groups as condescending and hypocritical.
France’s Ongoing Crackdown on Islamic Identity
Retailleau’s proposal is not an isolated event. It comes amid a systematic tightening of laws restricting Islamic symbols and practices in France, often justified under the banner of laïcité — French secularism.
- In March 2004, France banned hijab in primary and secondary schools, though universities were initially exempt.
- In 2010, a full-face veil ban was imposed in public spaces, with fines reaching €1,500 for violators.
- In August 2023, Education Minister Gabriel Attal banned the abaya in schools, claiming it was a religious garment that breached secular rules.
- In September 2023, Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra announced a ban on French athletes wearing hijab during the Paris 2024 Olympics, stating that a “strict secular approach” would govern sports.
International Condemnation & Legal Backlash
The bans have drawn fierce criticism from civil society and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, which denounced the hijab ban in sports and urged the International Olympic Committee to intervene. Amnesty called it blatant discrimination against Muslim women.
In February 2024, the French Senate approved a bill that bans hijab in all sports competitions, a move described by rights groups as a direct assault on Muslim women’s rights under the guise of neutrality.
Human Rights Under Threat
In its 2023 global human rights report, Amnesty International sharply criticised France’s treatment of Muslims, stating:
“Systemic racism and religious discrimination remain entrenched in France — particularly against Muslims.”
The report highlighted that:
- Hijab bans in schools and sports
- The abaya ban
- Surveillance powers under Olympic security laws
all amount to violations of Muslim women’s rights and individual freedoms.
The report also condemned France’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests, which were frequently banned under the pretext of “public order.” Amnesty called this a disproportionate violation of peaceful assembly rights.
Concerns were also raised over:
- The increased use of excessive police force during demonstrations
- Harsh immigration and asylum restrictions
- New security laws that vastly expand state surveillance powers in the lead-up to the Olympics
Amnesty concluded that these developments threaten civil liberties and undermine the core principles of human rights in one of Europe’s most vocal “democracies.”
A Broader Agenda Against Muslim Visibility
This proposed university hijab ban is not simply about clothing — it reflects a growing attempt to erase Muslim identity from public life in France. Under the illusion of “neutrality,” the state has targeted the most visible symbol of Muslim women’s faith — the hijab — and turned it into a political scapegoat.
While French leaders claim to defend women’s rights, they do so by silencing, excluding, and punishing Muslim women — especially those who choose to practice modesty on their own terms.
What France brands as “liberation” is seen by many across the Muslim world as coercion dressed as secularism, a forced assimilation that echoes colonial mindsets.
Final Thought: Europe’s Double Standards Laid Bare
As France claims to champion freedom and equality, its escalating war on hijab reveals a deeper hypocrisy: Muslim women are free only when they comply.
With every new law, France sends a clear message to its Muslim population:
Your faith is tolerated — only if it is invisible.
And in doing so, it becomes a case study in how secular extremism can be just as oppressive as any theocracy.
