People demonstrated in the city of Tourcoing in northern France yesterday, Friday, protesting the government's ban on wearing the abaya in schools, calling for an end to discrimination against Muslims and Islamophobia in France.

The protesters stated that the ban on the abaya is anti-Muslim and violates freedoms, emphasizing the need for the government to prohibit anti-Muslim speech instead of banning the abaya, according to Anadolu Agency.

Last Thursday, the French Council of State approved the decision to ban the wearing of the abaya in schools, considering it part of the logic of affirming religious affiliation, in a step it said was taken in defense of "secular principles."

• Strong reaction to the decision

The ban sparked a strong backlash against the government, which has faced criticism in recent years for targeting Muslims with certain statements and policies, including mosque raids and the anti-separatism law, which imposes broad restrictions on Muslims in society.

Meanwhile, the Council of State deemed that the ban does not "dangerously" affect the right to respect for private life, freedom of worship, the right to education, respect for children's rights, and the principle of non-discrimination.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized the French government's decision to ban the wearing of the abaya in schools, considering that this measure aims to intimidate Muslims in France.

The chair of the American commission, Abraham Cooper, stated that France is infringing on religious freedom in a misplaced effort to promote secularism, deeming the restriction of peaceful practice of religious beliefs for the sake of promoting secularism as outrageous.
It is worth noting that the French government also banned in 2010 the wearing of face coverings such as the burqa and niqab in public places.