France Advances Controversial Bill to Ban Headscarves in Sports, Sparking Debate on Religious Freedom

France is moving forward with a contentious bill that would ban headscarves in all sporting competitions, a measure seen by critics as disproportionately targeting Muslim athletes, an article by TRT World reported. The legislation, supported by right-wing politicians, has passed its first hurdle in the Senate and awaits debate in the lower house of Parliament.

Currently, individual sports federations in France set their own rules regarding religious clothing, with some banning headscarves despite international sports bodies allowing them. This has resulted in thousands of young Muslim women being barred from competitive sports, forcing some to organize unofficial tournaments outside federation jurisdictions to continue playing while wearing headscarves.

Opponents argue the bill infringes on religious freedom and amounts to discrimination and Islamophobia. They contend it forces Muslim women to choose between their faith and participation in sport. Campaign groups representing hijab-wearing athletes have taken legal action at the European Court of Human Rights, challenging the bans as violations of freedom of religion.

The debate has revealed divisions within the French government, with some officials expressing reservations about the bill, while hard-right factions strongly support it. Human rights organizations warn the legislation risks excluding Muslim women and girls from sports, undermining principles of equality and inclusion.

Research ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games highlights that France is unique among 38 European countries in banning religious headwear in sports, intensifying scrutiny of the country’s approach to secularism and minority rights. The bill’s passage could have lasting impacts on the participation of religious minorities in French public life.