Free choice and its discontents: Germany debates Muslim women’s attire

What is the meaning of the religious attire worn by some Muslim women? Are hijab and niqab hallmarks of the retrograde nature of Islam? Do they signal radicalisation and submission to male patriarchy – or self-determination and individual empowerment? These questions have been ceaselessly debated across Europe for years. In Germany, a new round of…

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German policy-makers contemplate hijab ban for girls under the age of 14

The state government of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), the most populous of Germany’s 16 federal states, is contemplating following the Austrian lead and banning girls under the age of 14 from wearing a hijab. The proponents of this prohibition have been vague on where it is supposed to apply. Some have spoken of a potential ban…

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Austrian Chancellor Kurz announces project to ban the hijab from kindergartens, primary schools

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s rapid rise to power has always been centred on his promise to curb immigration and uphold Austria’s identity as a Christian nation. Since taking office in December, 2017, Kurz has sought to make good on this pledge by taking a hard-line stance on immigration. Now, Kurz is closing in on another…

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Ofsted criticised for decision to question primary school girls wearing the hijab

The head of Ofsted says the hijab “could be interpreted as sexualisation of young girls”.

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Study finds British Muslim schools’ uniforms policy often require girls to wear the hijab

The National Secular Society found that 59 out of the 142 Islamic schools that accept girls have a compulsory hijab policy. Hijab refers to Islamic standards of modesty, but is being used in the articles summarised below specifically to refer to the hair-covering practice of girls. Three of the schools which require hijab receive state…

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