A French government minister has pledged to confront an increase in clothing associated with Muslim cultures in French schools, which, he says, is counter to French values of secularism.
Pap Ndiaye, the minister of education, described the phenomenon as a “wave” encouraged by online religious influencers.
France banned religious symbols and clothing in schools in a bid to prevent Muslim girls from wearing veils 18 years ago.
However, Ndiaye said influencers, especially on TikTok, were encouraging young girls to flout the ban by turning up to school wearing abayas, incidences of which increased by 40 percent in 2021.
“We are going to do what is necessary to limit the harmful influence of these Islamist agitators. The Republic is stronger than TikTok,” Ndiaye said.
France is home to a large immigrant community and around 6 million Muslims, many of whom resent the country’s attitude toward religious dress as a product of its foundational secularism.
Pap Ndiaye, the minister of education, described the phenomenon as a “wave” encouraged by online religious influencers.
France banned religious symbols and clothing in schools in a bid to prevent Muslim girls from wearing veils 18 years ago.
However, Ndiaye said influencers, especially on TikTok, were encouraging young girls to flout the ban by turning up to school wearing abayas, incidences of which increased by 40 percent in 2021.
“We are going to do what is necessary to limit the harmful influence of these Islamist agitators. The Republic is stronger than TikTok,” Ndiaye said.
France is home to a large immigrant community and around 6 million Muslims, many of whom resent the country’s attitude toward religious dress as a product of its foundational secularism.
