Wearing scarf for the Muslim students in Austria has been prohibited, according to a new law.

Iran Press/Europe: Austria's parliament has passed a law intended to ban Muslim girls from wearing the headscarf in primary schools, a measure that is considered as discriminatory in the constitutional court.

The bill passed with the support of the governing center-right People's Party (ÖVP) and the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ). Almost all of the opposition voted against it, reported Germany's Deutsche Welle. 

The text refers to any "ideologically or religiously influenced clothing which is associated with the covering of the head."

The measure said late Wednesday that the patka head covering worn by Sikh boys or the Jewish yarmulke would not be affected because the law refers to head garments that "cover all of the hair or large parts of it."

Exceptions are made for head coverings for medical reasons or protection against rain or snow.

Practising Muslim girls usually begin wearing a headscarf at puberty, and the governing parties have admitted the law is intended for Muslim girls.

Former Social Democrat Party education minister, Sonja Hammerschmid, accused the government of trying to make headlines instead of resolving integration or education issues.

Austria's official Muslim community organization, IGGÖ, has said it would legally challenge the "destructive" law that "discriminates exclusively against Muslims."

The ÖVP and FPÖ formed a coalition in 2017 on a strong anti-immigration platform. 101/203

 

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