Austria's headscarf ban for under-14 schoolgirls takes effect
As Austria's new school year begins, a law banning headscarves for Muslim schoolgirls under 14 has come into force, drawing criticism from Islamic groups who call it discriminatory and possibly unconstitutional.
With the start of the new school year, a law has taken effect in Austria banning girls under 14 from wearing so-called "traditional Muslim" head coverings, including hijabs and burkas, in both public and private schools.
Integration Minister Claudia Bauer of the conservative People's Party (ÖVP) described the headscarf as "a sign of oppression" used to control girls from early childhood. The measure was introduced by the three-party coalition government — the ÖVP, the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal Neos — which frames it as a commitment to gender equality and child protection.
Criticism and legal challenges
Carla Amina Baghajati of the official Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ) said her organisation firmly opposes the ban, arguing it unjustifiably restricts religious freedom and disproportionately affects Muslim girls. She said the law singles out one religious practice rather than protecting children, and risks excluding the very children it claims to help.
The IGGÖ said it would back legal challenges from girls and families who believe their fundamental rights are being violated, with cases potentially going before the Constitutional Court. That court previously struck down a similar ban on headscarves in primary schools in 2020, ruling it breached Austria's principle of religious neutrality.
How the ban will be enforced
Teachers are expected to address violations first through discussions with the student and their guardians. Repeated breaches must be reported to child protection services, and as a last resort guardians could face fines of up to €800. Some teachers have voiced concern about being made to enforce the rule — Green Party MP Sigi Maurer accused Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr of pushing a policing role onto already overstretched teachers.
The far-right opposition Freedom Party (FPÖ) argues the ban does not go far enough, calling for a total prohibition on headscarves and face coverings for both students and teachers. Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker has recently called for a constitutional ban on what he termed "political Islam".
