Since 1 September, Austria has banned headscarves for female pupils under 14 at state and private schools. Repeated breaches of the rule could lead to fines of €150 to €800 for parents.
Since the start of the 2026/27 school year on 1 September, female pupils in Austria under the age of 14 have been prohibited from wearing any headscarf at school that “covers the head in line with Islamic traditions.”
Teachers’ representatives say the new rule has generally been implemented calmly and respectfully. At the same time, some schools have reported conflicts and, in some cases, aggressive reactions.
The new law was already controversial before it came into force, with critics questioning whether it was compatible with freedom of religion and the principle of equality.
Forcing kids to wear specific item of clothing, or forcing kids to not wear specific item of clothing is the same superstitious habit, just with a different superstition behind it.
Exactly.
10-year-old girl with alopecia shows up with a head scarf. Are you (indefinite “you”… not yelling at you in particular) making her remove her scarf? How about if she’s also Muslim?
You gonna fuck with a Muslim cancer patient for wearing a headscarf? Gonna make her prove she has cancer before you tolerate it?
Or are you going to mind your business and leave her to mind hers?
These laws are a train wreck.
This law made to hurt Muslim people, women, and Muslim women. There is no other purpose to it.