Issues of Hijab in France - Macron’s ‘Anti-Separatism’ Bill

Conflict between the French state and French Muslims has been a key area of contention throughout the country's history. Indeed, France is notorious for its various bans against Muslim women's religious clothing in a bid to curb the growing influence of Islam in what they wish to be a secular nation. However, these bans have a longstanding history of leading to an onslaught of controversy and debate. Whilst those who support restrictions on the Islamic veil argue that it opposes the principle of laïcité- or religious neutrality- those against restrictions feel that they discriminate against, and even violate the rights of, Muslims in France, since they limit their freedom to practice their religion in public.

Nowadays, the discussion surrounding the hijab in France is constantly growing more heated; it is likely that this is due to the most recent laws that are being debated at this very moment. Last month, the French Senate voted to approve an amendment banning Muslim women under the age of 18 from wearing the hijab anywhere in public. A second amendment would ban parents from participating in school trips and activities with their children if they are dressed in religious clothing. The ban was proposed by a group of senators from the conservative Republican Party (LR) and the European Democratic and Social Rally group (RDSE). It is true that the ban is not yet law, with France's National Assembly required to sign off on it before it can take effect; however, opposition to the amendment arose instantly, with some suggesting the proposed rule amounted to a "law against Islam".

The French Senate's move comes as part of the country's push to introduce a so-called "anti-separatism" bill, which it says aims to reinforce the policies of secularism and religious neutrality. However, the bill faces widespread criticism from those who argue that it singles out the minority Muslim population. Police would effectively be given the right to harass Muslims- and virtually anyone- wearing clothing deemed inappropriate by the ambiguous wording of the bill. Whilst some say that the bill does not explicitly target the Muslim population- rather, it aims to eradicate all religious symbols from the public sphere- when President Emmanuel Macron first introduced the bill in October 2020, he spoke explicitly about tackling "Islamist separatism," which he described as the French Muslim community's lack of willingness to renounce practicing their religion in public.

Last month, Amnesty International warned that the proposed law posed a "serious attack on rights and freedoms in France", and called for "many problematic provisions" of the bill to be scrapped or amended. The organisation, along with a large number of French Muslims, strongly opposes the ban as it deems it rooted in anti-Islamic sentiment. Now, the issue of the ban is being talked about all over the world, with the hashtag #HandsOffMyHijab circulating widely on social media; Muslims are speaking out against a law that would restrict their rights to freedom of religious expression.