The Hijab Ban in France from an Islamic Perspective: Secularism, Religious Freedom, and Muslim Identity

Abstract

This article discusses an interesting discourse which has recently become a controversial issue in France, attracting global attention and discussion. This article analyzes the debate regarding Islamophobia and the ban on the hijab in France which is considered a historical and ongoing class struggle conflict. Several countries in Europe, including France, have a ban on wearing the hijab in public places. This happened because of disputes between the majority religions in the country, starting from the 15th century until 1950. So the French government established the concept of Laïcité or in English “secular”. Laïcité is the separation between the state and religious systems which aims to ensure that the state is not influenced by certain religious organizations, and at the same time the state guarantees and protects religious organizations since 2004. One of the impacts of this regulation is the prohibition on wearing clothing that is too indicative of a particular group or religion, In terms of the Islamic religion, a rule was born that prohibits women from wearing the hijab. This research uses the library research method (library study) and collects data using a qualitative approach. The conclusion of this article is that it cannot be denied that the secular system that has been established in France gives rise to religious problems related to religious adherents and state politics.  Apart from that, this phenomenon can be detrimental to certain institutions or groups and can cause divisions between one another so that peace and everyone's religious rights will be disturbed, and based on the problems that occur above, the French secular system can trigger prejudice and biases. towards the Islamic religion.