Macron reiterates ban on wearing abaya in French schools, backing Education Minister

The French president on Friday vowed that the government will be uncompromising on the overgarment ban in schools, saying “We will take actions beyond words.”

Emmanuel Macron has warned that if French students show up to school wearing abayas, they will not be allowed through the school doors, and that authorities will be “harder” on enforcing the new law when classes resume next week.

Macron claims that schools in France are secular, free and compulsory, warning that religious signs, whatever they are, do not have a place in schools.

The French government has been criticized for targeting Muslims with statements and policies in recent years including raids on mosques and charitable foundations.