French School in Morocco Ordered to Readmit Student Wearing Hijab

The court condemned the French establishment on Friday to readmit the student "with her hijab, under penalty of a coercive fine of 500 dirhams for each day of delay in the execution, with immediate execution and condemnation of the defendant," reports the site Al3omk which obtained a copy of the decision.

The student was denied access to the French school in Marrakech because she had worn the hijab. A violation of the internal regulations which prohibit the wearing of any religious clothing, argue the school authorities to justify their decision. The student’s mother then decided to file a complaint against the school.

The French school establishment argued in its written response to the court that by wearing the hijab, the student violated Articles 452-1 and 911-42 of the French Education Code as well as the internal regulations. The plaintiff’s lawyer, on the other hand, considered that the student is free to wear the hijab and that this does not constitute a threat to public order.

On the contrary, the fact of prohibiting the student’s access to the school is a violation of the child’s right to education, guaranteed by all international conventions and national laws, adds the lawyer. Finally, the Marrakech court ruled the decision of the French establishment "illegal", condemning it to reintegrate the student with the wearing of the hijab.