French Interior Minister Proposes Hijab Ban

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has proposed a ban on hijabs for parent chaperones during school trips, arguing that such outings fall under the existing 2004 law prohibiting religious symbols in state institutions. Retailleau claims this measure is necessary to combat what he describes as the threat of radical Islamism, which he believes aims to undermine national cohesion and impose Sharia law. Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, over nine million children are currently out of school due to conflict and natural disasters, and there has been a recent controversy over a hijab ban in the Tigray region, which has led to strong opposition from local Islamic councils. The Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council has warned that the hijab ban violates constitutional rights and has affected students' ability to register for national exams. Both situations highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding religious expression in educational contexts in France and Ethiopia. Amid these circumstances, the French minister's comments have sparked significant debate about religious freedoms and national security.