Austria Approves Headscarf Ban in Primary Schools

• 05.16.2019, 16:57
•  Europe,  World

ИА Regnum

Austrian MPs have approved a law aimed at banning the headscarf in primary schools, a measure proposed by the ruling rightwing government, The Guardian reports.

The text refers to any "ideologically or religiously influenced clothing which is associated with the covering of the head".

Representatives of both parts of the governing coalition, the centre-right People’s party (ÖVP) and the far-right Freedom party (FPÖ), have made it clear that despite its wide description, the law is targeted at the Islamic headscarf.

The government said the patka head covering worn by Sikh boys and the Jewish kippa would not be affected. Medical bandages and protection from rain or snow are also not covered by the new law approved on Wednesday.