Macron’s Party Proposes Ban on Headscarves for Girls Under 15 Amid Concerns Over Political Islamism

French President Emmanuel Macron’s party, Renaissance, has proposed banning girls under 15 from wearing the Muslim headscarf in all public spaces, The Guardian reported. This initiative comes amid heightened government scrutiny of “political Islamism” following a report commissioned by Macron into the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in France.

Gabriel Attal, former prime minister and current head of Renaissance, argued that the headscarf worn by young girls “seriously undermines gender equality and the protection of children.” He also suggested criminalizing coercion by parents who force their daughters under 18 to wear the veil. The government has tasked ministers with developing proposals by June to address the report’s findings.

The report, obtained by Agence France-Presse, highlights the spread of Islamism “from the bottom up” through local politics, charities, schools, and sports groups. It warns this infiltration poses a “short to medium-term” threat to France’s republican institutions and social fabric.

France has a long history of strict secularism (laïcité), banning religious symbols including Islamic headscarves in state schools since 2004 and prohibiting full-face veils in public since 2010. The current proposals could extend these restrictions to younger minors and potentially to other public domains.

Critics on the left, such as Socialist lawmaker Jérôme Guedj, accuse Macron’s party of adopting far-right rhetoric and stoking Islamophobia. The French Muslim Council has also cautioned against policies that could foster suspicion towards all Muslims, emphasizing the need to distinguish between Islamism and the broader Muslim community.

The political context is tense, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen having campaigned on banning Muslim headscarves entirely in public spaces during the 2022 presidential election. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has echoed concerns about Islamist groups aiming to impose sharia law in France.

Macron’s office stresses that combating radical Islamism does not mean targeting all Muslims and emphasizes safeguarding religious freedom while protecting national cohesion. The government’s forthcoming proposals will be closely watched as France grapples with balancing secularism, religious rights, and social unity ahead of future elections.