Austria enforces school headscarf ban for under-14s as legal fight looms

Austria has begun enforcing a nationwide ban on Islamic headscarves and other traditional Muslim head coverings for girls under 14 in public and private schools as the academic year starts. The government says the measure protects girls’ freedom and promotes gender equality, while Muslim organizations, opposition groups and some teachers argue it discriminates against Muslim students and restricts religious freedom. Schools must first hold discussions with students and their guardians, but repeated violations can lead to fines of €150 to €800 and notification of child services. The Islamic Religious Community in Austria plans to support legal challenges, and the policy faces scrutiny after the Constitutional Court struck down a narrower headscarf ban in 2020 on religious-neutrality grounds. Protests and further constitutional litigation are expected as the law’s enforcement is tested.