Austrian MPs approve headscarf ban in primary schools

Author: AFP

Austrian MPs on Wednesday approved a law aimed at banning the headscarf in primary schools, a measure proposed by the ruling right-wing government.

So as to avoid charges that the law discriminates against Muslims, the text refers to any “ideologically or religiously influenced clothing which is associated with the covering of the head”.

However, representatives of both parts of the governing coalition, the centre-right People’s Party (OeVP) and the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), have made it clear that the law is targeted at the Islamic headscarf.

FPOe education spokesman Wendelin Moelzer said the law was “a signal against political Islam” while OeVP MP Rudolf Taschner said the measure was necessary to free girls from “subjugation”.

The government says the patka head covering worn by Sikh boys or the Jewish kippa would not be affected.

Austria’s official Muslim community organisation IGGOe has previously condemned the proposals as “shameless” and a “diversionary tactic”.

The IGGOe says that in any case only a “miniscule number” of girls would be affected.

Opposition MPs almost all voted against the measure, with some accusing the government of focusing on garnering positive headlines rather than child welfare.

The government admits that the law is likely to be challenged at Austria’s constitutional court, either on grounds of religious discrimination or because similar legislation affecting schools is normally passed with a two-thirds majority of MPs.

The OeVP and FPOe formed a coalition in late 2017 after elections in which both parties took a tough anti-immigration stance and warned of the dangers of so-called “parallel societies”.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Business

Systems Limited Hosts U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Donald Blome

Systems Limited, Pakistan’s premier provider of IT and IT Enabled Services, had the distinct honor…

3 hours ago
  • Editorial

Protecting Journalists

Being a journalist in Pakistan means you must be willing to live with a Damoclean…

9 hours ago
  • Editorial

To Space

Pakistan's historic lunar payload - regardless of how small it may be when compared to…

9 hours ago
  • Op-Ed

Snakes, Ladders and the Power Paradox

Barack Obama's rise to the presidency in 2009 gave hope to millions across the globe.…

9 hours ago
  • Cartoons

TODAY’S CARTOON

9 hours ago
  • Op-Ed

This Is Not a Jungle!

Pakistan is neither a jungle nor are the ways of the jungle followed here. There…

9 hours ago