World

French Muslim girl banned from class for wearing long skirt

A 15-year-old Muslim girl who was banned from class twice for wearing a long black skirt

Afp April 28, 2015

PHOTO:AFP

FRANCE: France - The case of a 15-year-old Muslim girl who was banned from class twice for wearing a long black skirt seen as too openly religious for secular France has sparked an outcry.

The girl was stopped from going to class earlier this month by the head teacher who reportedly felt the long skirt -- popular among some Muslim women who cover their whole body ‘conspicuously’ showed religious affiliation, which is banned in schools by France's strict secularist laws.

"The girl was not excluded, she was asked to come back with a neutral outfit and it seems her father did not want the student to come back to school," local education official Patrice Dutot told AFP on Tuesday.

He added that the student always removed her veil before entering school premises in the northeastern town of Charleville-Mezieres, as is specifically stipulated by law.

According to the 2004 law that governs secularity in schools, veils, the Jewish kippa or large Christian crosses are all banned in educational establishments, but "discreet religious signs" are allowed.

The student, whom local daily L'Ardennais identified as Sarah, told the newspaper her skirt was "nothing special, it's very simple, there's nothing conspicuous. There is no religious sign whatsoever."

Her story was trending on Twitter in France Tuesday with the hashtag #JePorteMaJupeCommeJeVeux, translated into English as "I wear my skirt as I please."

https://twitter.com/selimmuse/status/593130311371882496

"If it's worn by a 'white' person, it's hippy chic, if it's a Muslim, it becomes conspicuous," one user tweeted.

But the regional education office hinted in a statement that wearing the skirt could have been part of a concerted ‘provocation’.

"When it comes to concerted protest actions by students, which follow other more visible incidents linked for instance to wearing the veil, the secular framework for education must be firmly reminded and guaranteed," it said.

According to the CCIF Islamophobia watchdog, some 130 students were rejected from class last year for outfits deemed too openly religious.

COMMENTS (40)

Syed Azmat Ali | 9 years ago | Reply What blows my mind is that a country that protects the right of the people to roam naked on beaches and even roads, who are ok with same sexes getting married, where there is supposed to be complete and absolute freedom of expression, would go crazy over a long skirt. The girl supposedly / reportedly takes off her veil before entering her school. What else is she expected to do. Take off her scarf too? Wear a bikini to work to be included? What's neutral dressing? What if a Caucasian christian girl wears the exact same skirt, will she be asked to leave the class / school? I am absolutely dumbfounded. I think France should go ahead and ban ISLAM as an acceptable religion in France and get it over with. SECONDLY, those claiming that France-bashers don't speak out about Pakistani draconian laws don't realize that Pakistan declares itself as an "Islamic Republic" which entails certain limitations. France, on the other hands, wishes to be considered an "advanced" and "open" and "free" society. And yet it acts in such abhorrent fashion. Also, those claiming that the rules / laws of a democratic people must be adhered to, should reflect that if the uneducated masses of Pakistan start to enact their culture / laws as a nation, would they be able to survive here?

Meshuga | 9 years ago | Reply @Ahmed: The "civilized world" is a straw-man argument. We do not live under a one-world government. Thank God for that! All 200+ countries are autonomous and governed by their Constitution and laws. Not all countries are even democratic or even alike. Indonesia just executed 9 people for non-violent drug trafficking, despite calls for mercy from many quarters, including the UN and the Pope (but none from any Muslim majority country). Pakistani Supreme Court has cleared the way for falsely-accused Asiya Bibi to be executed for blasphemy (she is a Christian). Which civilized world are you talking about, kind Sir?

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Meshuga | 9 years ago | Reply @Anon: If people from the Middle East, and Central Asia, who "colonized" India and other lands had offered immigration leading to citizenship to former colonized people (like France and other European countries have been doing since the end of European colonization), we'd have the Arabs, Persians, Turks, Stanis all overwhelmed and marginalized by Indians and their descendants. Instead people from South Asia, Indonesia and other places do these people's dirty work for low or no wages and with no hope for citizenship (as if that would matter in dictatorships). In fact all Western countries need to adopt the Arab model of how to treat people - with disrespect and all kinds of phobias! Otherwise say goodbye to Western Civilization and its liberal foundations of freedoms, rights, tolerance, education, and rationality!

Meshuga | 9 years ago | Reply @Anon: Blasphemy laws are an unequal application to mostly non-Muslims. Secular laws in France apply equally to people of all faiths and no faith. Anyone getting killed n France (except the natives like Charlie Hebdo by offended faithful)?

umer | 9 years ago | Reply i would like to bring in to your knowledge that muslim need to follow the rules which stated in "QURAN"

Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply people are going about the rule of the land. What kind of Idiot Juice do you have for breakfast?? how does a long black skirt violate the law of the land? if it was long and slightly see through would it violate the law of the land? if it had a slit down the side showing the legs would it be ok? if she wore a traditional indian sari would it be ok? what is "religious" about a freaking skirt? stop being brainless idiots and think for a minute.

Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply @Najeebullah: What if this is their "own" country? born and raised for generations. Also, in the civilized world a person has equal rights as everyone else regardless of how long he has been in that country or if his "own" country is different.

3rdRockFromTheSun | 9 years ago | Reply "According to the 2004 law that governs secularity in schools, veils, the Jewish kippa or large Christian crosses are all banned in educational establishments" So the law applies to other religions as well, not just followers of Islam. Just sayin...

specksk | 9 years ago | Reply @Engineer: Oh yeah. Who decides what the rule is? People who think and act exactly like you? How convenient.

azmat | 9 years ago | Reply @Engineer: By saying this you are assuming in your small brain that all muslims living in France are immigrants from 3rd world countries. What if a white French women reverts to Islam? Where would you want to send her ? She is demanding a right to wear the dress of her choice in her very own country .And I tell you, the white converts adheres to Islamic dress code much strictly then then us immigrants.

lkhan | 9 years ago | Reply @Indian Observer: totally agree with you. It is time to respect the cultures of those countries that provide free education, health and much more, whether nationals or not, integrate rather than face exclusion. Narrow minded thinking will get one nowhere. And if not acceptable, well then, move to an Islamic country....

Iqra | 9 years ago | Reply If people have the right to shed their clothes like anything,then they also deserve the right to cover themselves. Why the double standards???

Anonymous | 9 years ago | Reply @raw is war: And what is wrong with Saris. Please care to explain and people of fiji have a rich vibrant culture and dress code. Not every one has the mental state that of one of your ancestors the homo sapiens which you have clearly depicted in your comment.

Fayyaz Muhammad | 9 years ago | Reply Secular or neutral is not the issue. It shows the school girl abode by the regime laws while unveiling her covered face before entering the school premices. A long skirt classified as 'conspicuous' is only a way to penalize an ethnic portion of society in the wake of some crimes committed by others. I have lived in France and many French women used to wear long skirts in classrooms.Yet nobody (neither university administration nor professors) asked them to change. On top of that, what would they have worn when it was cold, Would you expose your legs to the cold? or Would will you use leggies to protect your body from the cold?

Rex Minor | 9 years ago | Reply We are living in different times and witnessing the demographics changes whereby the citizen of muslim faith are on the increase in Europe! Both the current and the former Presidents of France are of Jewish origin and give unnecessary attention to Lycite, whereas the French youth of muslim origin are unwantingly projecting their identity. The teenager has apparently been wrongly targeted by some over zealous xenophobic influenced class room teacher to disallow the student in the class room. There is no French law on school uniforms, not yet at least! Besides France is also unique in Europe where its citizens do not always follow the legislated laws. Rex Minor

Another Indian | 9 years ago | Reply @Khan.. Read the article agian. They have a law to keep schools neutral. The reason being, minorities don't feel like odd ones out and to inculcate the sense of keeping religion a private matter. Europe learned a lot from its dark ages and is one place in this world that is trying to keep religion a personal matter ever since. These laws don't have anything against any religion, but their experience is that its better to keep religion out of schools. You may not understand this, but let's put that in perspective. They have built up a country where people from conservative countries want to move in and not the other way around. So they must be doing something better. Also, secularism doesn't mean you do what you want, but every one's voice is heard and all get a fair share.

Toba Alu | 9 years ago | Reply @Parvez: I don't think this is the picture of a girl of 15 years. Just a file photo. But whether born in France or not is a legalistic argument. This is not about laws but about sentiments and many people in the west are just fed-up with 'aliens' from inside or outside using their laws to attack their way of living. Most comments fail to understand the real issue at hand.

Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @Malatesh: Is China a Democracy and stands for FREEDOM...NO...!!!! China and Saudia are conservative countries which openly say that we are conservative...On the other hand France calls it self a "Secular" state and gives freedom...So they need to do what they say... Otherwise France should declare itself like Saudia...simple!!!!

Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @Indian Observer: What??? So because India has a rape problem should west ban them to move freely with open hands??? or cut their parts... Please come out of your village and world is a global village..:!!!

Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @EJAZ: So my wife is a german...with blue eyes and blond hair, but is a convert and wants to wear a veil..So is she also not allowed...??? In which country should she go "BACK" If west stands for freedom than they should give it also...!!!

Engineer | 9 years ago | Reply @Waqas Rahman Are you dumb not to understand my statement? Lot of people migrate to other countries for opportunities or fear of persecution or restricting one's rights. If you feel France is trampling on your rights, you should migrate to a place where you have the right to wear what you want.

Shah(Berlin) | 9 years ago | Reply @Najeebullah: What about French who are converts...who were born in that country, speak the language are paying taxes...If you put a board out side your county that you stand for freedom than please stand for it.... which.what a useless comment...

Malatesh | 9 years ago | Reply @Burki: @Anon: @khan420: @Just sayin: @Mohammad: Born and brought up doesn't give right to go against the rule of land. China made hundreds of Muslim clerics to dance on the street forcibly. These people also born and bred there right? Law is law, everyone should respect the land of law even if born and brought up there.

Waqas Rahman | 9 years ago | Reply @Engineer: HaHa I guess you don't know there is a large Muslim population in France which is born in France and is French by birth. Stop embarrassing yourself by exposing your stupidity.

Indian Observer | 9 years ago | Reply Hard pill to take for pakistanis and muslims but this is the truth. There is a lot of Islamophobia and France being a secular country(secular in name but of course Christians have it easier) and having trouble with Islamic militants and IS recruits just decided that this is the rule in their country , for immigrants and people born there. Either conform or face the consequences is what seems to be the purport. It might be harsh but this is the bitter reality. There is also the bitter reality that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran also have their rules on dressing, blasphemy , cultural rules ,outlook etc which other people from other countries have to conform to. So in the end , its even stevens. In Rome, do as the Romans do.

Fahim | 9 years ago | Reply Cloths are only due to religious reasons. If Atheists are too much worried about religious affiliation, they will soon move naked.

Engineer | 9 years ago | Reply @Just sayin Yeah good point. But then there is a clause in UN which says you can move to any country in the world and live there. Freedom of movement. Since they are Muslims, I am pretty they would be happily accepted in a Muslim country.

Burki | 9 years ago | Reply It sounds that people like Najeeb and Mr. "Engineer" have never stepped outside the cave they were born hence it's unimaginable for them to realize there could be Muslims born & raised in Europe or in a non-Muslim country elsewhere.

Anon | 9 years ago | Reply And btw... France has a considerable Muslim population of its own as a result of its colonisation of Africa... These are not people who have suddenly decided to emirate there, they were born and brought up there.

Anon | 9 years ago | Reply All these people crying "rule is rule" and that muslims should either conform or leave.... I wonder if they have the same opinion on Blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Also legally a rule! Not every rule is correct, and it's ones job to point out when a rule is biased or incorrect...

khan420 | 9 years ago | Reply @Najeebullah: Most of these young people were born in the west, so it is their own country. Besides, in the west, there is more tolerance. We don't have to worry about their rights.

Mohammad | 9 years ago | Reply @Najeebullah: France is their home country!! Which world are you living... that any Muslim staying in Europe has a different home country? and they should give up their rights and move somewhere else?

Just sayin | 9 years ago | Reply @Najeebullah @ Engineer. Use you brains for a second, they could be French born nationals as well and why should they 'leave' if they are born and bred in France? do laws apply differently for muslims and non-muslims even if they are native naturals of the land and not immigrants? Every native natural (at the least) should be allowed to live according to his/her will and wear whatever they like.

EJAZ | 9 years ago | Reply When in Rome do as the romans do. If you can't then change the city or bring the change in you. Unless muslims remain on fringes in the west they will suffer the humiliation every day. Change for a better you, the society will accept you.

Mirza | 9 years ago | Reply We love to bypass the laws of the land especially where we get equal rights. We never claim or insist on any rights in our brother countries where we are treated like low grade aliens. Not even third class citizens.

raw is war | 9 years ago | Reply I dont think France is begging them to stay back in their country. People should follow the rules of host nation. Not to corrupt its discipline with rules suitable to each and every community. Then people from Fiji will come to college dressed in a grass skirt. And Indian girls will come wearing saris.

Engineer | 9 years ago | Reply Rule is rule, rule for all. Follow them like everyone else or the door is always open on the backside to leave. No one is holding you back.

Najeebullah | 9 years ago | Reply I have a great idea for the muslims living in the west who are obsessed with their secular values, COME BACK TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY.

Babbarsher Khan | 9 years ago | Reply French attempt to "civilize" "them"!

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply That seemed heavy handed......judging by the picture she's modestly and nicely dressed.

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