VS’is a clothing phenomenon that is gaining more and more momentum in schools in France. As revealed by a survey published in Opinion, Islamic outfits have multiplied in recent months in some high schools, for both boys and girls. The students demand the wearing of their abayas (traditional black dresses) and kamis (Muslim tunics), outfits which they describe as “cultural” with our colleagues.
While some establishments veto the wearing of these religious outfits, others are hesitant about the attitude to adopt, and several incidents have erupted in various academies in recent months. The rectorate of Paris notably deplored a “significant increase in the wearing of ostensibly religious clothing” in schools in the capital “for a few weeks”.
Asked by Opinion, National Education refuses to communicate any figures, which does not prevent its directions for school education and legal affairs from being seized. “This resurgence is a reality. The Council of Elders of Secularism is considering how to respond to it, ”says Alain Seksig, secretary general of this body set up by Jean-Michel Blanquer. A few weeks after his appointment to the Ministry of National Education, Pap Ndiaye will have to find solutions to avoid the first controversies.
READ ALSOFrance and the veil: 30 years of controversy
Emmanuel Macron called to react
After the publication of this survey, President Emmanuel Macron indicated on Thursday June 2 that he wanted “clarity on all the figures” and “that the law of the Republic applies” concerning the wearing of “Islamic outfits”. “As in all matters, when there are epidemics, there must be symptoms and we measure. So we are constantly in a position to measure (…) this information, ”said Emmanuel Macron during a visit to Marseille.
READ ALSOVeil: great misfortunes are born from small humiliations
“On this, I will be very clear, the policy I want to conduct is always the same, that of the truth. There should be no taboos, no prohibitions and no fantasies. So, I want truth, clarity on all the numbers. And then I want the law of the Republic to apply,” added the head of state. “And the law is very clear: for all students in our schools, there are no religious signs whatsoever,” he insisted.
READ ALSOHow Marine Le Pen wants to outlaw Islamism
“We are going, with Mr. Minister [de l’Éducation Pap Ndiaye, NDLR]to watch, measure and respond with the greatest clarity to all situations that do not respect the laws of the Republic,” he further promised.