France's Controversial Ban on Abayas in Schools Sparks International Outrage

France will ban Islamic abayas in schools starting in September, citing the principle of "laicité" or secularism, which prohibits outward signs of religion in schools. The government argues that abayas are a "political attack" and an attempt to convert others to Islam. Critics argue that the ban targets French Muslims and is a violation of religious freedom. The wearing of abayas had previously occupied a grey area, but the education ministry had issued a circular last year allowing schools to ban them if they were worn in a manner that openly displayed a religious affiliation.