France to ban Muslim abaya dress in state schools

France's education minister has announced a ban on children wearing the abaya, loose-fitting robes worn by some Muslim women, in state-run schools. 

 

 

France has a long history of separating religious signs from public education, and it's been challenging to address the needs of its growing Muslim minority. 

 

 

The country previously banned headscarves in schools in 2004 and full face veils in public in 2010. 

 

 

The decision to ban abayas in schools is part of the government's effort to uphold secularism and prevent the identification of students' religious affiliations in the classroom.