Ban on hijab in schools! Teachers must report everything
The federal government in Austria is preparing to enact a new national ban on wearing the hijab for girls under the age of 14, with strict laws to be applied not only in public schools but also in private and Islamic schools. According to reports from the Kronen Zeitung newspaper, the bill is in its final stages and a decision may be made in September.
The Ministry of Family and Integration has confirmed its strong support for this approach, pointing out that the covering of young girls is not a marginal issue, but a serious matter. The government believes that banning the hijab and similar clothing in schools will draw a clear line in educational policy and aims to protect children from what it describes as a form of oppression.
This decision may have a significant impact, especially in Vienna, where it is estimated that the number of affected Muslim children could reach around 12,000. The Center for Documentation of Political Islam noted in its latest annual report that Islamic influence has become more evident in the public sphere, and the government sees the ban as a response to these facts.
If approved, the new law will be applied equally to public and private schools as well as Islamic institutions. Teachers are expected to be required to report any violations to ensure the rules are implemented uniformly across the country.
Parents who send their daughters to school wearing hijabs will face hefty fines. According to the Kronen Zeitung newspaper, fines will start from a few hundred euros and may exceed 1000 euros in cases of repeat offenses. The government hopes that these strict penalties will make the policy effective and gain widespread compliance.