After France, Muslim students in Belgium banned from school
Thirty Muslim students in Brussels were banned from entering the school for wearing long skirts, a Belgian local daily, La Dernière Heure (DH), reported on Friday. The school administration of L'Institut De Mot-Couvreu asserted that wearing long skirts represent a religious symbol which is inconsistent with school regulations.
"I arrived at 8 a.m. and he said ‘Out! You are not allowed to enter!' " said Hanane, a 17- year-old Muslim student wearing a long turquoise skirt. "This is not the first time he punished us. I was banned from school just because I was wearing a long skirt," 22-year-old Yasmina told the Belgian daily DH.
A 15-year-old Muslim girl in France was earlier banned from school for wearing a long black skirt, reflecting discrimination in the French education system. Long skirts are considered as "Muslim clothing," a way to stigmatizing young people on the basis of their opinion or appearances. The incident sparked uproar in France as many reflected their criticism in a popular Twitter hashtag #jeportemajupecommejeveux (I wear my skirt as I like). French national education system prohibits religious symbols in classrooms. In 2010, a law banning head coverings and face veils in public led growing anger among Muslim communities in the country. A document titled "Prevention of radicalization in schools" sent to the French school administration aims to prevent religious radicalization among French youth. The document was reportedly prepared by a team of education specialist and French police forces, created during former Nicholas Sarkozy's presidency in 2009 as a response to growing security and safety concerns towards the Muslim community in French society. The document aroused strong criticism from parents as the document only signals growing Islamophobia in French society and significant intolerance towards the Muslim community.
These Islamophobic incidents have increased in the country following the Charlie Hebdo massacre in January. Muslims in France have been subjected to violent attacks due to an increase in suspicion and negative sentiments toward the French Muslim community. Reports of attacks on mosques and Muslim-run businesses in various places in France have led many French Muslims to fear rising Islamophobia. France has suffered a six-fold rise in Islamophobic attacks, counting 222 violent anti-Muslim attacks in the first quarter of this year, according to figures released by the French Interior Ministry. France is home to the largest Muslim population in Europe, estimated at between 4 million and 5 million. The French Muslim community represents approximately 6 percent of the total population of 58.5 million. However, French Muslims do not feel safe due to increasing revenge attacks on Muslims in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
"I arrived at 8 a.m. and he said ‘Out! You are not allowed to enter!' " said Hanane, a 17- year-old Muslim student wearing a long turquoise skirt. "This is not the first time he punished us. I was banned from school just because I was wearing a long skirt," 22-year-old Yasmina told the Belgian daily DH.
A 15-year-old Muslim girl in France was earlier banned from school for wearing a long black skirt, reflecting discrimination in the French education system. Long skirts are considered as "Muslim clothing," a way to stigmatizing young people on the basis of their opinion or appearances. The incident sparked uproar in France as many reflected their criticism in a popular Twitter hashtag #jeportemajupecommejeveux (I wear my skirt as I like). French national education system prohibits religious symbols in classrooms. In 2010, a law banning head coverings and face veils in public led growing anger among Muslim communities in the country. A document titled "Prevention of radicalization in schools" sent to the French school administration aims to prevent religious radicalization among French youth. The document was reportedly prepared by a team of education specialist and French police forces, created during former Nicholas Sarkozy's presidency in 2009 as a response to growing security and safety concerns towards the Muslim community in French society. The document aroused strong criticism from parents as the document only signals growing Islamophobia in French society and significant intolerance towards the Muslim community.
These Islamophobic incidents have increased in the country following the Charlie Hebdo massacre in January. Muslims in France have been subjected to violent attacks due to an increase in suspicion and negative sentiments toward the French Muslim community. Reports of attacks on mosques and Muslim-run businesses in various places in France have led many French Muslims to fear rising Islamophobia. France has suffered a six-fold rise in Islamophobic attacks, counting 222 violent anti-Muslim attacks in the first quarter of this year, according to figures released by the French Interior Ministry. France is home to the largest Muslim population in Europe, estimated at between 4 million and 5 million. The French Muslim community represents approximately 6 percent of the total population of 58.5 million. However, French Muslims do not feel safe due to increasing revenge attacks on Muslims in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
Last Update: May 31, 2015 21:57