“Change in Hijab Rules in France or Europe”, findings, discussions, hijab rules in non- Muslim countries

1. Course Name
Islamic Studies
Project’s Main Topic
“Current Social, Moral and Political Problems and Challenges of Muslims
and their Solutions in the Light of Islamic Teachings”
Sub-Topic
“Change in Hijab Rules in France or Europe”
Group Members
1. Momina Shakir (SP18 BPY-012)
2. Summan Zahid (SP18 BPY-047)
3. Laiba Aftab Malik (SP18 BPY-063)
4. Marwa Khursheed (SP18 BPY-065)
Moderator’s Name
Ma’am Farhat Nisar
Date of Submission
May 14th, 2018

2. ISLAMICSTUDIES: “Change inHijabRulesinFrance or Europe”
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o Introduction:
This topic focuses upon the situation of Hijab-wearing-Muslims all across the Europe,
including countries like France, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Germany and many more. It has
been considered a major issue as the rules of Europe forced Muslim ladies to take off their
Veils which, for them, is a sacred obligation. France was the first country to ban the facial
Hijab of women due to the perspective that it oppresses women.
It is a huge social, moral and political problem as Hijab is not about hiding from people, but
protecting ones’ own self from others and giving them an indication to be in certain limits. As
it is something very sacred so these rules directly hit the Muslim nations’ belief that may
provoke aggression in some which can create a great difference and controversies among the
European and Islamic states harming their interrelations as well.
o Findings and Discussions:
There are many countries in Europe that literally or somehow, banned Hijab for women.
These include:
1. France
2. Belgium
3. Austria
4. Germany
5. Netherlands
6. Britain
7. Switzerland
8. Italy
9. Russia
10. Denmark
11. Spain
12. Norway
1. Hijab Rules In France:
France has been imposing Hijab restrictions since many years. France banned the head-
scarves for Muslim students on 10th February, 2004 and was the first country to ban the full

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face Hijab in public areas. This happened on 11th April, 2011. And if anybody would still be
seen with it then she was fined. The president named Nicolas Sarkozy, whose administration
passed this rule, said that Veil is something that oppresses women and such things will not be
accepted in France. In 2014, the Court analysed the ban on full-face veil and said that
although it is a religious practice but on the other hand, it prevents one from interacting with
the woman who wears it. Moreover, it is a threat to socialization as it acts as a barrier
between people stopping them from communicating. The court said that it refrain people
from ‘living together’. In 2016, the France put a ban on wearing of the full body covering
swimsuits called as ‘burkinis’. The Prime Minister named Manuel Valls called such suits an
affirmation of political Islam in open places. Although, this burkini ban rule was rejected by
the French administration and court afterwards.
According to a Forum study, Muslim population is about 4.7 million in France. And no
doubt, these 4.7 million people were and still are being affected by these rules that they face
in different shapes after the gap of few years.
 Recent news (April 16, 2018):
“Muslim women should be allowed to wear what they want.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, has ruled out extending his country’s ban on
Muslim dress.
In an interview on French TV, Macron said that while he was personally not in favour of the
hijab, religious tolerance was key.
“I am not especially happy that some women choose to wear the headscarf when out in
public, but it must be tolerated,”
Emmanuel Macron ~“The Express.”
2. Hijab Rules In Belgium:
Belgium followed the footsteps of France in the matter of full face covering veil of Muslim
women. The government unanimously passed this rule in 2011. According to this, any
garment that hides one’s face from others in public places was strictly prohibited. If any
women would be seen with this, she would be punished with spending seven days in jail or

4. ISLAMICSTUDIES: “Change inHijabRulesinFrance or Europe”
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paying 1378 euros. In December 2012, as a reply to several appeals of abrogating this rule,
The Constitutional Court of Belgium said that this rule does not influence any sort of human
rights in a negative manner and thus, annulled all of them.
Before the passing of this law, Burka was already banned in several districts due to local
rules that were made solely to restrict women from hiding their faces.
On 11th July, 2017, The European Court talked in a favour of Belgium ban upon the full face
covering and called this restriction ‘necessary for the democratic society’. The Court also
said that it is a protection, not only for the rights of humans but for their freedom as well.
Although, Islam is in minority in Belgium but still it comprises 4-6% of Muslims there who
were greatly affected by these controversies.
3. Hijab Rules In Austria:
In January 2017, the ruling authority of Austria passed the rule of banning face covering
veils including Niqab and Burka in public places. This was a general ban for the workers
wearing headscarves or other things highlighting their religious values.
According to Austrian ruling authority, face covering veil actually hinders the ‘open
communication’ which should be the most basic right for an open society.
After estimation, there were only about 150 women in Austria who used to wear full face veil
but there was fear in everybody (among tourists too) as this law was imposed upon
everywhere in Austria.
 Recent News (April 25, 2018):
The Austrian government has proclaimed its intention to ban the wearing of the hijab for girls
in local government-run kindergartens up to the end of elementary school (age 10).
Obviously, this is a non-issue, since normally Muslim girls at that age do not wear the hijab
anyway.
The ban will be introduced under the rubric of a "child protection law" to be drawn up later
this year, according to the Freedom Party education Minister Heinz Fassmann, and he
announced it would function as a "symbolic act" to protect Austrian culture from some
Islamic influences.

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4. Hijab Rules In Germany:
On 24th September, 2003, Germany’s federal constitutional court favoured an Afghan born
teacher who wanted to wear headscarf in school but it said that the state can still change the
local rules. Among the 16 states of Germany, half of them were banned from wearing
headscarves affecting 4.4-4.7 million Muslims over there.
On December 16th, 2016, the Chancellor Angela Markel said that full face veil should be
banned in Germany wherever ‘it is legally possible’. Though, there was not any kind of
national law imposed except for these proposals. But these draft laws were supported by the
German Parliament in 2017 saying that veils will be prohibited for workers in civil services,
judiciary or military professions.
 Recent News (May 10, 2018):
A court in the German capital, Berlin, has ruled that the city was right to bar a Muslim
teacher, who wears a hijab (headscarf), from taking classes in a primary school, rejecting her
discrimination complaint.
Justice Arne Boyer said on Wednesday that the city state's so-called neutrality law, which
bars the wearing of overt religious symbols and clothing for state employees on duty,
weighed stronger than the right to free religious expression.
5. Hijab Rules In Netherlands:
In November 2016, full veil in public areas including schools, hospitals and on transport was
banned. Niqab, burka, ski-masks and even helmets were banned. This rule was passed by
Dutch senate. The Prime Minister said that punishment for the law-breaking acts will be fine
up to 410 euros. He called it as ‘religious-neutral’.
Around 6 million residents are Muslims in Netherlands but only 300 of them wear face
covering veils.
6. Hijab Rules In Britain:
There is not any hard and strict rule but in 2007, only the schools were allowed to choose
their own dress code regardless of the religion base.

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In fact, in 2010, the schools secretary Ed Balls said that it is not ‘British’ to tell what to wear
in the streets when the UK Independence Party said that face covering veils should be
banned.
In 2014, UKIP won 24 seats in Britain elections. The former UKIP leader said that full face
covering veils are a symbol of ‘increasingly dividing Britain’ as they oppress women and are
a threat to secure environment. 57% of the British population were against the wearing of
burka in 2016.
 Recent News (May 9. 2018):
A Muslim primary school teacher has lost her bid to overturn a law banning the wearing of
religious clothing by public servants in Berlin.
The Berlin labour court judge ruled that the city-state's neutrality law for teachers, police and
court officials was constitutional.
Germany's 16 states have differing laws on headscarves in schools.
Three years ago Germany's constitutional court overturned a blanket ban on teachers wearing
them.
The federal court cited religious freedom, although civil servants across Germany are barred
from covering their faces. The full face-veil is not allowed on a national level but the hijab is.
7. Hijab Rules In Switzerland:
In late 2009, the Swiss Justice Minister said that if more Muslims start to wear face covering
veils, then they will be banned as they will feel ‘uncomfortable’ in them. In 2013, 65% of the
electorates voted in the favour of banning of burka or any other garment hiding the face in
public places.
In 2016, a new law was passed of banning the burka and if anybody would not follow this
rule then she will be fined 9,200 euros.
 Recent News (January 11, 2018):
A recent online poll run on behalf of the newspapers Le Matin Dimanche and
SonntagsZeitung suggests a large majority of Swiss voters are in favour of a nationwide
ban on face covering in public.

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8. Hijab Rules In Italy:
There are several local towns and districts in Italy that banned the face covering garments
over there. North-western town of Novara is one of them. It is one of the several local ruling
authorities that banned the wearing of Niqabs and burkas.
In December 2015, burka ban was passed which was affected and implemented in 2016 in the
region of Lombardy, Italy. Although, these proposals were followed in regions of Italy, there
was no national enforcement by the government.
9. Hijab Rules In Russia:
Russia’s region named Stavropol was the first one to impose Hijab banning rule. This was
taken into consider by Russia’s Supreme Court in 2013.
Although in Chechnya, the women are ordered to wear headscarves in buildings. This was
imposed by the President Ramdan Kadyrov in 2007 and is still followed on strict basis.
10. Hijab Rules In Denmark:
In February 2018, Denmark’s Justice Minister said about the face covering veil that;
‘It is incompatible with the values of the Danish’s society or the respect for the community
to keep the face hidden when meeting each other in public space.’
The government said that it anybody is found wearing Niqab or burka, she will be fined of
about 1000 kroner and if she repeatedly wears it, then the fine can be increased up to 10,000
kroner. Though, it was estimated that fewer than 200 women will be affected by this rule.
This rule was supported by three political parties of Denmark with an exception that dresses
for Halloween or sports will be allowed.
 Recent News (February 6, 2018):
Denmark poised to ban Islamic full-face veils
'It is incompatible with the values of the Danish society', says country's Justice Minister
The Danish government is poised to become the next European country to introduce a ban on
Islamic full-face coverings in public places.

8. ISLAMICSTUDIES: “Change inHijabRulesinFrance or Europe”
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The government said it planned to fine people who wore items including the burqa and the
Niqab which are worn by some Muslim women.
Under the proposals anyone found covering their face would be fined 1,000 kroner (£120), or
up to 10,000 kroner (£1,200) if they are repeatedly caught.
11. Hijab Rules In Spain:
There is no national rule in Spain for the veils to be banned but in 2010 the city of Barcelona
banned the full face covering garments in some public areas named libraries, markets and
municipal offices. The rule for the banning of veil in the town of Lleida was abolished by the
Supreme Court by saying that it is a kind of barrier for religious freedom and liberty. Many
areas of Catalonia banned the wearing of burka and Niqab. In 2013, these rules were
diminished in some parts by Supreme Court due to ‘limitation of religious freedom’ but other
areas still impose and follow such acts.
12. Hijab Rules In Norway:
Norway is also one of those countries that ban the face covering veils. It was imposed in June
2017 and specific areas were accounted for this. These places include kindergartens, schools
and universities. Although, head coverings were not prohibited, the restrictions were imposed
only upon the face covering garments. These include Niqab and Burka.
 Recent News (March 23, 2018):
Three ministers from the Norwegian government presented on Friday a proposal to ban
face-covering garments at schools, day-cares and other educational institutions.
The proposal was presented by ministers from each of the three parties in the coalition
government – Finance Minister Siv Jensen (Progress), Minister of Education and Integration
Jan Tore Sanner (Conservative) and Minister of Education Iselin Nybø (Liberal).
“Even though few people wear the burqa and Niqab today, there are instances of it. A
national ban will make things clearer for everyone,” Sanner said to NRK.
The ban will ensure good communication in educational contexts, the minister added.

9. ISLAMICSTUDIES: “Change inHijabRulesinFrance or Europe”
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o Conclusions:
From the above information, one can conclude that several European countries passed such
laws that are against the religious beliefs of Muslims. All the countries mentioned above,
whether on the national basis or on the base of local or district power only, forcefully
imposed the acts that abrogate the Islamic rules. These include the wearing of Hijab, Niqab
and Burka. Banning of such garments forced Muslims, especially the Muslim women to
come to streets and roads and protest for their rights. According to different European
governments, these rules are being passed just because for the protection of human rights,
open communication purpose, security reasons, freedom issues or the discrimination problem
ignoring the fact that it is a religious obligation.
o Recommendations:
Hijab; that is, the head covering, Niqab; which is the face covering with eyes uncovered,
Burka; which is the full covering with a mesh of screen or see through garment in front of
eyes, are the most sacred beliefs that a Muslim woman keeps stuck to. It is not just a covering
but a proper way of life for her. The government should understand that the religious issues
are sensitive with their own uniqueness that should not be touched. That would not only
provoke aggression among different people but also result in the negative effect on
governments’ relations. The discrimination or the dividing of nations or countries would be
as a result of this act, not by banning the veils. Moreover, Hijab or the face covering veils is
just the protection from evil eye and a message for one to stay in limits. There is no such hard
and strict rule in Islam for prohibition in talking to or communicating with others. Freedom
will not be secured by these laws. Instead, meaning of the word ‘freedom’ will be properly
understood when all the people, no matter from which religion, caste, creed or nation they
belong to, will be allowed to practice their beliefs without any fear of being punished, except
for the reason that the belief may not harm any other individual or his social, religious or
cultural values. Apart from this, human rights can never be threatened by face covering acts.
Instead, they are preserved more than before. For instance, if a woman wears something that
catches the attention of almost every man, or she has a beautiful hair of facial features that,
even unintentionally, can attract a man, will not be secured even in the western European
countries as compared to the woman who is covered as a whole. All the governments should
know all these terms because by considering these definitions and strictly following them,
one can step towards development.

10. ISLAMICSTUDIES: “Change inHijabRulesinFrance or Europe”
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Moreover, being a Muslim, we believe that if Allah has mentioned something in Quran, then
it must be of great importance. The topic of Hijab is discussed in Quran.
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring
down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be
known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah Al-Ahzab)
On another occasion Allah says;
“And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts
and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to
wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment
except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands'
sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their
right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who
are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to
make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of
you, O believers that you might succeed.” (Surah Al-Noor)
These verses show the importance of Pardah (Hijab or veils) in Islam. If somebody is not
allowed to practice Islamic beliefs in a particular area, he or she should migrate from there as
per orders from Allah. This is a strong recommendation for the Muslims to leave that part and
go where there are no restrictions upon practicing Islam. Allah says in Quran;
“When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: "In what
(plight) Were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed Were we in the earth." They say:
"Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (From
evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell,- What an evil refuge!” (Surah Al-Nisa)
Allah says in Surah Anfaal;
“Those who believe, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith, in the cause of Allah as well
as those who give (them) asylum and aid,- these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for
them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous.” (Surah Al-Anfaal)

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Allah says about Hazrat Loot (AS);
But Lut had faith in Him: He said: "I will leave home for the sake of my Lord: for He is
Exalted in Might, and Wise." (Surah Al-Ankaboot)
All these verses reflect the worth of practicing of religion. We, as Allah’s slaves, came to this
world to please Allah. If we are not allowed to practice our religion in a particular region,
then we should keep this thing in our minds that Allah’s earth is much bigger than that area.
One should migrate from there because our job is to make Allah happy with our deeds.
References:
 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13038095
 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/burka-bans-the-countries-where-muslim-
women-cant-wear-veils/
 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-ban-islamic-fullface-
veils-france-belgium-burqa-niqab-hijab-a8197931.html
 https://www.dailysabah.com/islamophobia/2018/03/23/norway-proposes-law-to-
prohibit-burqa-niqab-in-education
 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/14/headscarves-and-muslim-veil-ban-
debate-timeline
 https://www.asil.org/insights/volume/21/issue/15/veil-bans-european-court-human-
rights
 http://www.thejournal.ie/belgium-full-veil-3491565-Jul2017/
 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/07/burka-ban-for-muslims-enforced-in-
switzerland-with-fines-of-up-t/
 https://quran.com/24/30-31
 https://quran.com/33/59
 http://quranindex.net/kelime.php?id=8467
 http://emirateswoman.com/emmanueal-macron-hijab-tolerated/