FRANCE’S education minister says Muslim mothers should be banned from wearing the Islamic headscarf when doing the school run.
Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Sunday: “A parent should be banned from wearing conspicuous religious symbols, namely the Islamic headscarf, when escorting their child to and from school.”
He told RTL radio: “My personal opinion is that anyone who accompanies a child to and from school should be considered a ‘public service worker,’ which means they have a duty to conform to social codes.”
When asked whether he was implying that Muslim mothers should be explicitly banned from wearing the headscarf when dropping off or picking up their children from school, Mr Blanquer said: “Yes. That said, it is not against the law for mothers to wear the Islamic veil to school.
“I respect French law and it is not my place to make sweeping statements about this issue. But we must play by the rules, and the rules must be the same for everyone.” [Daily Express] Read more
