French bill to ban headscarves in sports sparks backlash from Muslim women's rights groups

A controversial bill in France that seeks to extend a ban on religious symbols, including headscarves, in sports competitions has drawn sharp criticism from advocates for Muslim women's rights.

According to Rani Belkhy, the founder of Khlass Les Cliches, the move is part of a broader effort to "erase Muslim women from public spaces".

"In sports but more generally, in all spaces where visibly Muslim women can be seen, there is an attempt to make them disappear," Belkhy told Anadolu, per Caliber.Az.

Belkhy argued that such a ban infringes on individual freedoms and discourages Muslim women, particularly young ones, from participating in sports. "It’s no longer just about athletes representing the nation, which was the argument used, right? The idea was that they represent France, so they must be neutral. But now, it's even affecting amateurs," she explained.

The bill, which was backed by the French Senate last month, aims to extend the ban on religious symbols — previously limited to public schools and government buildings — to all sports competitions. The bill is now set to face a vote in the lower house of France's parliament before becoming law. In addition to the headscarf ban, the legislation also seeks to prohibit collective prayers in publicly funded sports facilities.

Critics of the bill argue that France is isolating Muslim women and perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Belkhy, who has actively campaigned for Muslim women’s rights, expressed dismay at the international ramifications of such a policy, particularly as the country prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games. 

"France ridiculed itself on the international stage as the only country that banned Muslim women from wearing headscarves," she said. "What we have seen since the implementation of this law is that it has essentially been a witch hunt against female students who wish to wear a headscarf."

Belkhy also pointed out the double standard, noting that there has been no similar exclusion of women wearing Christian crosses or Jewish kippahs in public spaces. "It’s been a series of laws, one after another, each time making Muslim women’s bodies a subject of debate and restriction," she added.

The latest bill follows a failed attempt in 2022 to impose a similar ban on religious headwear in sports. That proposal was rejected by the French Senate, but the current legislation has sparked renewed debate on the issue.

As the law continues to move through the legislative process, Muslim women’s rights advocates are urging policymakers to reconsider the proposed ban, warning that it could further marginalize an already underrepresented group in French society.

By Tamilla Hasanova