France’s ruling party proposes ban on hijab for girls under 15

French President Emmanuel Macron’s political party, Renaissance, has proposed a new law that would ban girls under the age of 15 from wearing the hijab in public spaces.

The proposal coincides with the government’s review of a report warning of the growing influence of “political Islamism,” specifically highlighting the Muslim Brotherhood as a potential threat to national unity and democratic values, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

According to Renaissance, the hijab "seriously harms gender equality and the protection of children," and the party aims to introduce criminal penalties for parents who “coerce” their daughters into wearing the headscarf.

If passed, the law would prohibit girls under 15 from wearing the hijab in public areas such as streets, parks, cafes, and shops. Renaissance officials say the measure is designed to protect minors from religious pressure and promote secular values.

France already enforces strict restrictions on religious symbols in public institutions. Civil servants, teachers, and students in public schools are barred from wearing visible religious items, including Christian crosses, Jewish kippas, Sikh turbans, and Muslim hijabs. The government is also working on legislation to ban the hijab in sports competitions.

France is home to one of Europe’s largest Muslim populations and has faced international criticism over its increasingly restrictive policies on Islamic attire, including the burkini bans implemented in several towns. 

Renaissance’s proposal has also stirred political tensions. Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally, accused Renaissance chairman Gabriel Attal of hypocrisy, sharing a 2022 video in which Attal warned that a hijab ban could fuel discrimination—especially under a government led by far-right figure Marine Le Pen, who called for a total public ban on hijabs during her 2022 presidential campaign.

Despite the controversy, the proposal’s future remains uncertain. Renaissance holds only a minority in the National Assembly and will need broader political support to advance the bill.

By Sabina Mammadli