The French are yet again in an uproar over the clothes that girls can wear to school. Unlike in the United States, where such controversies might focus on ripped jeans or pajamas, at issue in France are pieces of clothing that supposedly advertise their owners’ religious beliefs, in this case abayas, or the full-length robes favored by some Muslim girls (and women). Gabriel Attal, the ambitious young Education Minister, decided to ban them at the start of the new school year. A government spokesman
We had similar commentary in our posts today! I couldn’t agree more, particularly on this point. “Successive governments have argued that the laws help contain Islamist radicalization. More likely, they have encouraged it.” Meanwhile, the teachers are paid a pittance, student performance is declining, schools are falling apart, but yes, the abaya (or insert other garment here) is the true issue at hand. The country can’t unstick itself from this ! Exhausting.
We had similar commentary in our posts today! I couldn’t agree more, particularly on this point. “Successive governments have argued that the laws help contain Islamist radicalization. More likely, they have encouraged it.” Meanwhile, the teachers are paid a pittance, student performance is declining, schools are falling apart, but yes, the abaya (or insert other garment here) is the true issue at hand. The country can’t unstick itself from this ! Exhausting.