Controversial French Ban on Abayas in Schools Sparks Global Outrage

The French government's decision to ban the wearing of abaya robes by children in state-run schools has received both applause and criticism. France has a long history of enforcing secularism in schools, and the ban on religious symbols has been extended to include the abaya. Conservative groups welcomed the move, while some criticized it as an "obsessional rejection of Muslims." The decision aims to address breaches of secularism in schools, but critics argue that the abaya is not the main problem and that dialogue with pupils and families is crucial. France previously banned headscarves in schools in 2004 and full face veils in public in 2010.