Religion in Schools

Recently, France instituted a law prohibiting students from wearing headscarves in public schools. Laws such as these came out of fear and concern of terrorists and other groups that practice religious fanaticism. Many Muslim women and girls wear the headscarves as an important part of their religion. But should religious expression be prohibited at a public school?

The supporters of the law said that this law was not passed to punish the Muslim students. They claim that this law was aimed to prohibit all religious symbols from being worn at public schools. This would include such items as head coverings worn by Jewish men and boys, the Christian cross, or any other religious symbol.

This law created a debate in France as well as around the world. Many Muslims felt that they were being discriminated against. Many of these students felt that their rights were being violated. But the government reiterated that the law was not directed at any one religion. Supporters of the law felt that religious matters should be kept at home and not at public school.

Those opposed to the law felt that even students in the United States had more rights. The United States has a law regarding the freedom of speech, which allows students to dress as they choose as long as it does not disturb the educational process. This allows members of a religion to express their beliefs in clothing and apparel as long as it does not interfere with the educational process.