“Do not put targets on Muslim women” CFCM condemns France’s Islamophobic rhetoric 

France’s top Muslim representative body has condemned what it described as “irresponsible” political statements targeting Muslim women who wear headscarves, warning that such rhetoric could increase hostility towards them, TRT World reports.

The French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM) said on September 2 that it rejected attempts to associate women wearing headscarves with extremist ideology, arguing that such comments publicly stigmatise women who freely choose to wear the religious garment.

“Those who participate in this escalation bear political and moral responsibility,” the council said, warning that the rhetoric could expose Muslim women to “insults, threats, intimidation and attacks.”

The CFCM said forms of head covering existed in the foundational traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. While acknowledging that extremist movements had sought to instrumentalise the headscarf, it said this did not alter its religious or personal nature or justify banning it for women who freely chose to wear it.

“A woman who chooses to wear the headscarf, like one who chooses not to wear it, must be protected and her free choice respected,” the council said.

It also argued that a public ban on headscarves would conflict with constitutionally protected principles including freedom of conscience, individual liberty and secularism.

The CFCM criticised what it described as a growing focus on regulating women’s clothing ahead of major electoral deadlines, questioning whether using law enforcement to police clothing should be a political priority.

It instead pointed to terrorism, crime, drug trafficking, violence and insecurity as challenges facing France.

The council warned that using electoral debates to promote “fear, stigmatisation and division” could deepen social tensions and distract from wider challenges facing the country.

It called on political leaders to show “responsibility and restraint” and urged citizens committed to “freedom, equality and fraternity” to participate in public debate and civic action.

“Let us not make millions of French people hostages to electoral strategies. Let us not put targets on the backs of Muslim women,” the council said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev