The introduction of a ban on wearing Abay (long traditional Muslim women’s dresses with sleeves) in the educational institutions of France is directed against Muslims. This is nothing more than a manifestation of Islamophobia. This was “Anadolo” by the researcher of the non-governmental organization of Cage with the headquarters in London Ryan Freschi.
“This is a very Islamophobic decision in essence, because it is aimed only at Muslims. If you are a white woman and do not position yourself as a Muslim, then you do not have any problems in order to go to school in a long dress”, – said the researcher.
Frescchi recalled the decision made in France in 2004 on the prohibition of wearing hats and the use of other religious symbols in state educational institutions, and also drew attention to the fact that previously long dresses were not considered a religious attribute.
According to him, in recent years, debates have been increasingly being carried out regarding the wearing of long dresses called “Abays”, which are usually worn by Muslims.
The researcher noted that such prohibitions as the wearing of hijabs and Abayi are aimed at assimilating Muslims in France.
“I think that this is not surprising in a number of factors. First of all, the political history of France and the philosophy of this country are characterized by a very tough and brutal approach to minorities, and mainly to Muslims. In addition, France is very strictly related to integration. We cannot call this integration. The French approach is more based on assimilation. Being an immigrant or representative of an ethnic or religious minority, you should at some point be like the majority, ”the researcher added.