” When you enter a classroom you must not be able to identify the religion of the students by looking at them. On Sunday 27 August on TF1, the new Minister of Education Gabriel Attal pronounced a ban on wearing the abaya in public schools, in the name of the principle of secularism. However, the French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) does not recognize this garment as religious.
What does the principle of secularism imply, how and to what extent does it apply? Lighting.
What does the law on secularism say?
The word secularism comes from the Greek Laoswhat does it mean ” people “. We owe this term to Ferdinand Buisson, co-founder and president of the human rights league, close to Jules Ferry. He is one of the architects of the founding text of 1905, on the separation of church and state.
The roots of secularism, enshrined in the 1946 Constitution and taken up by that of 1958, are therefore to be drawn from this famous law of 1905.
On site public lifesecularism can be summed up as follows: one of the foundations of the French Republic” which “is founded on two principles: the obligation of the State not to intervene in the convictions of anyone and the equality of all before the law, whatever their religion. “.
The first article of the Constitution provides that the Republic is ” indivisible, secular, democratic and social “.
The website of public life continues:
According to the Constitutional Council (decision of February 21, 2013), derive from the principle of secularism:
- respect for all creeds and equality of all citizens before the law without distinction of religion;
- the guarantee of the free exercise of worship;
- state neutrality;
- the absence of an official cult and the use of the clergy.
As the magazine says For Echothe neutrality of the State, implies that it “nand recognizes, nor finances any cult “, is that ” must not intervene in religious affairs (except in Alsace-Moselle, which was part of the German Empire at the time of the 1905 law separating church and state, and in some overseas territories, where religions are part of a special regime regimes) “.
For his part, The world elaborate a chronology to understand the history of this concept through the main legal texts that shaped it:
1789. According to Article 10 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: “No one should be disturbed for his or her opinions, even religious ones, provided that their expression does not disturb the public order established by law. »
1791. The Constitution confers “Freedom for every man […] exercise the religious cult to which he is attached.
1881-1882. school “public, free, secular and obligatory” is created by the Jules Ferry laws.
1905. The Law on the Separation of Church and State establishes in its article 1 that “The Republic guarantees freedom of conscience. It guarantees the free exercise of worship […] in the interest of public order. » Article 2 provides for it “The Republic does not recognize, pay for or subsidize any cult”.
Le Monde, “Laity: one concept, two interpretations”. January 19, 2016.
“Open” versus “republican” or “closed” secularism: what are we talking about?
The definition of the word secularism is not fixed. This term also covers several contradictory interpretations and usages, as pointed out by The world : “ a so-called “closed” vision of the concept, i.e. linked to a rigorous religious neutrality in the public space, contrasts with a vision defined as “open”, on the contrary contrary to the cancellation of any sign of religious affiliation “. This second vision is “more sensitive to religious freedom, conscience and interreligious dialogue” the media specify For Echo.
The magazine also recalls that closed secularism, known as republican secularism, was ” historically led by 19th century anti-clerical leftist movements, which aim to reduce the influence of religious authorities and the place of religion in the public and political spheres “.
What happens with reports of attacks on secularism?
Since the 2004 law it is forbidden to wear religious symbols” ostentatious in public school. The text states it “In public schools, colleges and high schools, it is prohibited to wear signs or clothing in which students appear to demonstrate religious affiliation.” This law, enacted in the wake of debates over the wearing of headscarves at school, remains vague about what is considered apparent or not.
THE World abounds: ” a medallion depicting a Christian cross, a Muslim crescent or a Jewish star is tolerated, but not a veil, nor a yarmulke, nor a large cross worn on clothing “.
To support teachers on these issues, since 2018 the éduscol website has made available to them a module ” violation of secularism »:
National Education staff sometimes feel alone in a situation where they feel that the principle of secularism is being questioned. With the online module “Attack on secularism”, they now have the opportunity to share a situation they have witnessed or a difficulty they encounter on this issue which is at the heart of the foundations of the republican school.
https://eduscol.education.fr/
Since 2022, at the request of former Education Minister Pap Ndiaye, data from these reports are communicated monthly.
Second THE World“ For almost a year, principals and principals have been confronted with students in abayas (long dresses of the Middle Eastern tradition, worn over other garments) or in qamis (long tunics for men) asking for “clear instructions” to find out if these clothes apparently show a religious affiliation, contrary to the law of 15 March 2004 “.
In the middle of last week, several media outlets reported a 120% increase in referrals, of which 40% concerned the abaya, also according to The world.
Gabriel Attal’s announcements that followed were quick to revive debates about secularism, among ” who denounce the stigmatization of Muslims and an attack on religious freedom and who are pleased that the confession of students is not visible in the classrooms as a summary For Echo.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
