France Debates Bill to Ban Hijabs in Sports Competitions

The French Senate is currently debating a controversial bill that seeks to ban the wearing of hijabs and other religious symbols by female athletes in official sports competitions, according to the French newspaper Le Point.

The proposed legislation, which is being reviewed by the Senate’s Culture, Education, and Sports Committee, aims to prohibit visible religious symbols in regional, national, and inter-district competitions.

In addition to headscarves and burqas, the bill would restrict clothing associated with religious or political beliefs.

The bill also includes provisions beyond sports competitions. Article 2 proposes a ban on the use of sports facilities for religious purposes, such as prayer gatherings.

Article 3 seeks to prohibit religious attire in public swimming pools and bathing areas.

France has already imposed strict secularism policies in public institutions. In 2023, the government banned abayas and long tunics in public schools, with government spokesperson Olivier Véran labeling such attire a "political statement."

The proposed sports hijab ban has sparked heated debate, with critics arguing that it discriminates against Muslim women and infringes on religious freedom.

Supporters of the bill, however, contend that it upholds France’s strict secular principles and ensures neutrality in public spaces.

If passed, the legislation would mark another significant restriction on religious expression in France, further reinforcing the country's longstanding commitment to laïcité (state secularism).