Austria bans headscarves for schoolchildren

VIENNA: The Austrian government on Thursday announced a ban on headscarves for schoolchildren aged 14 and under, with minister Claudia Plakolm calling it a “symbol of oppression.”

The decision has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from Austria’s Muslim community.

The Islamic Religious Community in Austria, officially known as Islamische Glaubensgemeinschaft in Österreich (IGGÖ), condemned the move, stating that it disregards constitutional protections and religious freedoms.

A similar ban was struck down by Austria’s top court in 2020, which ruled that it unfairly targeted the Muslim community.

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However, Austria has had nationwide face-covering restrictions in place since 2017.