Like France, Switzerland wants to follow Austria’s example and ban schoolgirls from wearing headscarves, out of concern for oppression —even though over 90% of austrian Muslimas surveyed reject the ban (Georgetown University).

A young nun without a veil as the equivalent of Muslim women without veils to illustrate what the ban on veils means for schoolgirls.

The Swiss burqa ban, in force since early 2025, has so far had little real impact. Violations are rare, enforcement is difficult, and loopholes —such as wearing masks— are largely tolerated. As a result, the ban remains primarily a symbolic political measure.

At the same time, attention is shifting to a new issue: headscarves worn by schoolgirls. Several cantons are considering proposals to prohibit girls under 16 from wearing headscarves in public schools. The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is pushing particularly hard, advocating not only cantonal rules but also a nationwide ban, coupled with severe sanctions ranging from school expulsion to residency consequences for parents. This approach is supported by the Egerkingen Committee, which previously spearheaded the minaret and burqa bans and is now preparing another popular initiative.

“Oh whichever be here of a Prophet, tell your spouses and your daughters and the women of the believers they lower of their gowns over them. That is nearer that they are recognized so they are not annoyed —and Allah was forgiving,compassionate.”

The Holy Quran, Sura Al Ahzab/The Troops 33:59

From a legal perspective, the situation is clearer than the political debate suggests. While teachers are required to maintain religious neutrality —based on a Federal Supreme Court ruling from 1997— this obligation does not apply to students. Several court decisions have confirmed that banning headscarves for pupils would constitute a serious violation of religious freedom and would neither disrupt teaching nor threaten religious peace. Legal experts therefore doubt that cantonal bans would withstand scrutiny by the Federal Supreme Court.

Politically, however, this legal interpretation is increasingly contested. Many no longer see the headscarf solely as a religious symbol, but also as a sign of oppression, particularly in light of authoritarian regimes such as Iran. As Muslim women have become more visible in Swiss society, the debate has intensified and now extends well beyond right-wing circles. Voices from the political center argue that the state must protect girls from religious coercion and preserve schools as spaces reflecting shared values.

For now, the Federal Council continues to reject a ban on headscarves for students, citing state neutrality and cantonal responsibility. Nonetheless, a shift in public opinion appears to be underway —not only in Switzerland. In Austria, a ban on headscarves for girls under 14 was recently adopted. The question of whether the headscarf represents freedom or restriction is therefore likely to remain politically explosive. (NZZ)

>>-> Headscarf ban: Harassment prevents pupils from speaking at rally

>>-> Eye for Eye, Protection for Protection

>>-> Broad Alliance Calls for Demonstration Against Headscarf Ban

>>-> Polls: Shared Pattern on Migration and Headscarf – yet Ban Loses Legitimacy

>>-> What Really Happened in Graz and Crans-Montana?

By Okay Altinisik | 30-12-2025, 12:09:37