Mumtaz Moosa | mumtazs@icloud.com
7 September 2023 | 11:30 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: The Guardian

For decades, Iran had been scrutinised for having modesty police, but as we turn our heads toward Europe, we must understand that the laws are beginning to look the same as Muslim girls are made to choose between religion and education. They are told to prioritise their education as the government experiments with a uniform dress code within public schools.  

The new school term started with Gabriel Attal, Education Minister, stating that the abaya would no longer be allowed in educational institutions as it goes against the principles of secularism.  

Many young female students took to social media to state that there should be freedom of choice, with one student noting that many French children dress in heritage clothing with bright colours and traditional wear from East African countries. She further questioned why the length of her dress or abaya differed from a long summer dress. 

Students are singled out and stigmatised over a piece of fabric, a massive tell of the abuse of individual rights in a democratic country. For centuries, groups have protested for female right to wear what they want, but there is silence as Muslim youth choose to dress modestly. 

In a world where you can select your gender and your pronouns, Muslim females still have to explain why they choose to dress how they do, speaking volumes to the world’s hypocrisy.