Morocco’s French Schools Implement Abaya Ban, Mirroring French Policy

On the web, information indicates that some parents of students have asked one of the institutions of the French missions in Morocco to reimburse the school fees of their children, following the decision of France to ban the wearing of the abaya in educational institutions. Information denied by sources at Hespress. However, the French schools in Morocco are implementing the measure taken by the French Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal. "The schools of the French mission in Morocco have been known for many years not to accept the wearing of the veil or Islamic clothing, a decision that was reinforced in 2004 in all these schools around the world," explains a source in the same media, stating that one of the conditions for enrollment in these establishments is not to wear the veil or "Islamic" clothing inside the school.

According to the law of March 15, 2004, "in public schools, middle schools and high schools, the wearing of signs or clothing by which students openly manifest a religious affiliation is prohibited." "The establishments of the French missions are under the jurisdiction of the French government, and those who wish to study there must respect their rules, including the ban on wearing the veil and long clothing. In case of refusal, they have the right to enroll in other establishments," added the same source.

In France, the political controversy is raging around the ban on the abaya at school. While some consider this long traditional robe worn over clothes and covering the entire body up to the ankles - with the exception of the face, hands and feet - as an "ostentatious religious sign" contrary to secularism, others denounce a decision contrary to the Constitution. This is the case of La France Insoumise (LFI) which had announced, on August 29, its intention to refer the matter to the Council of State. "I will propose to our parliamentary group to challenge this regulation in the Council of State because I think it will be contrary to the Constitution," Manuel Bompard, LFI coordinator, said on France 2.