Belgian Teacher Dismissed After Refusing to Remove Headscarf

Belgian Teacher Dismissed After Refusing to Remove Headscarf
————————————
Hatice Amacud, a special education teacher in Assenede, East Flanders, Belgium, has been dismissed after refusing to comply with a ban on visible religious symbols for public employees, reigniting debate over religious freedom and neutrality in public education.

Amacud began teaching children with special educational needs in 2022 and obtained permanent employment in 2024. Following a change to provincial staff regulations in June that year, a ban on visible religious symbols took effect in September. Disciplinary proceedings were subsequently launched against her, culminating in her dismissal last September.

Amacud said her work with students had not generated complaints and rejected an offer to transfer to teaching Islamic religious education, arguing that she wanted to teach children regardless of their faith and that the role required different qualifications. The case has reportedly been referred to judicial and human rights bodies.