Austria’s ban on head coverings for girls under 14 in schools has taken effect with the start of the new academic year. According to BBC Online, the new law bans “traditional Muslim” head coverings, such as the hijab or burqa, in all of the country’s public and private schools.
Claudia Bauer, the country’s integration minister from the conservative People’s Party (OVP), said the hijab is “a symbol of oppression and a means of controlling girls from early childhood.”
Critics, however, allege the new law is fueling anti-Muslim sentiment in Austria and could be unconstitutional. The law was drafted by a coalition of three centrist parties led by the conservative OVP, along with the Social Democrats (SPO) and the liberal NEOS. The parties claim it represents “a clear commitment to gender equality” and was enacted to protect young girls’ rights.
Carla Amina Baghajati of Austria’s official Islamic Community (IGGO) told the BBC, “We strongly oppose this ban.”
She said, “We believe this law unreasonably restricts the fundamental right to religious freedom and disproportionately affects Muslim girls.”
In 2020, Austria’s Constitutional Court struck down an earlier law banning hijabs in primary schools. At the time, the court reasoned that the ban conflicted with Austria’s principle of religious neutrality. However, enforcement of this new ban has been placed in the hands of teachers. If a student is seen wearing a hijab, the teacher must hold repeated discussions with the student and their legal guardian. Repeated violations must be reported to child welfare services. As a final step, guardians could face a fine of up to 800 euros (685 pounds).
Meanwhile, the country’s opposition far-right Freedom Party (FPO) says the current ban doesn’t go far enough. The party has demanded a complete ban on both the hijab and face-covering garments in schools, for students and teachers alike.
FPO’s Ricarda Berger said, “There is no place for political Islam in Austria, and certainly not in our schools.”