Vienna: Austria’s parliament has approved a new law that bans the wearing of Islamic headscarves in schools for girls below the age of 14, a move that has triggered strong debate across the country and beyond.
The law was passed by the National Council, the lower house of parliament, with the support of the ruling parties. The Greens voted against the measure, warning that it could discriminate against Muslim children. The government says the decision is aimed at protecting young girls and promoting equality and personal freedom in schools.
According to the new rules, schools will first go through an awareness phase, during which teachers and parents will be informed about the law. Full enforcement is planned from the 2026–27 school year. If the ban is repeatedly ignored, parents may face fines.
The legislation specifically applies to Islamic headscarves worn for religious reasons. Other religious symbols, such as Jewish or Sikh head coverings, are not included, which has drawn criticism from rights groups. Opponents argue that the law unfairly targets Muslim communities and may deepen social divisions.
This is not the first time Austria has attempted such a ban. A similar law introduced in 2019 was overturned by the constitutional court the following year, which ruled that it was discriminatory. Legal experts and Muslim organisations have already indicated that the new law may also be challenged in court.
Supporters of the ban say it will help prevent pressure on young girls and ensure that schools remain neutral spaces. Critics, including human rights groups, warn that it risks limiting religious freedom and could increase feelings of exclusion among Muslim families.
The issue has once again placed Austria at the centre of a wider European debate on religious symbols, integration and the balance between secular policies and freedom of belief.