Abayas, kamis… While the newspaper L’Opinion speaks of an “epidemic” of Islamic outfits in high schools causing “several incidents”, Emmanuel Macron recalled on June 2 that “religious signs, whatever they are” are not allowed in schools. The president calls for “clarity on all the figures”.
[Mise à jour du 3 juin 2022 à 10h23]. Here is a new study that is causing controversy within the National Education: the presence of religious signs in schools. Indeed, a survey of the newspaper l’Opinionreveals incidents that have occurred in several academies in recent months due to a “epidemic” of Islamic attire such as abayas and kamis. These long dresses or tunics falling to the feet and worn by men “have appeared at the doors of several high schools” specifies the newspaper. During a visit to Marseille on June 2 alongside the new Minister of National Education Pap Ndiaye, Emmanuel Macron reacted by recalling the principles of secularism: “For all the students in our schools, there are no religious signs whatsoever.” The President of the Republic claims “clarity on all the numbers” and ask this “that the law of the Republic applies”. Concretely, the text of the law concerning the principle of secularism specifies that “in public schools, colleges and high schools, the wearing of signs or outfits by which students ostensibly manifest a religious affiliation is prohibited”.
The Head of State, who supports Pap Ndiaye, who has been strongly criticized since his appointment as Minister of National Education and Youth, also tempered: “as with any subject, when there are “epidemics”, there must be symptoms and we measure. So we are constantly in a position to measure this information”. Thus, one cannot speak of an “epidemic” until a more precise investigation has been carried out at the national level. “On this I will be very clear, the policy I want to conduct is always the same, that of the truth. There must be no taboos, no prohibitions and no fantasy either. I want truth, clarity on all the numbers. And then I want Republic law to apply.”, he added. “And the law is very clear: for all the students in our schools, there are no religious signs whatsoever. We will watch, measure and respond with the utmost clarity to all situations that do not respect the laws of the Republic”.