The CFCM denounces the “disproportionate” extent of the new controversy over the abaya at school
The French Council of the Muslim Worship (CFCM) reacted to the new passionate controversy which has been agitating the political and media landerneau for a few days. It crystallized around the wearing of the abaya at school. We publish his press release.
Against a background of denunciation of attacks on secularism within the school environment, a debate on these attacks crystallized on the wearing of “abayas”. This term is a French transliteration from Arabic (ʿabāyah), which literally translates to robe or coat, is misrepresented by some as a Muslim religious sign.
Without wishing to minimize certain attacks on secularism, we fear that the media coverage reserved for them will be disproportionate with regard to other more serious subjects, such as bullying at school, which continues to cause distress and suicide.
Beyond a feeling of being faced with yet another debate on Islam and Muslims with its share of stigmatizations, we have the right to question the authority which, in our secular Republic, has decreed that the Abaya is a Muslim religious sign. However, for us, this garment is not one.
Within the CFCM, we would like to reaffirm that in the Muslim tradition, which we defend, any item of clothing is not a religious sign in itself. You only have to travel through Muslim-majority countries to realize that the citizens of these countries, of all faiths, are indistinguishable by the clothes they wear.
The Muslims of France have constantly reminded us that the school is a place of knowledge and knowledge and not a place of proselytism, of any kind whatsoever. Their children complied scrupulously, except in very rare cases, with the law of March 2004 which regulates the wearing of religious symbols.
In these rare cases, we remind you that their religiosity is not an exhibition product or an object of publicity, nor a standard or a slogan of demonstrations. It is a state of mind that should lead them to a form of serenity and inner peace far from any form of ostentation. We call on them not to give one more reason to stigmatize Islam and Muslims.
The Holy Quran, which encourages the faithful to modesty and the absence of vanity, does not recommend the wearing of a particular garment. Each company has been able to find in its clothing creation what can meet this expectation.
Thus in terms of dress, Muslims and Muslims in France, respecting this objective of modesty, are in their vast majority hardly different from their fellow citizens of all faiths or convictions.
The French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM)
