France Denies Islamophobia While Targeting the Hijab Again

The French parliament is set to ban Muslim women from attending their children’s school trip wearing the hijab, a symbol seen as a threat to Republican (liberty) belief. Passed earlier, “The Separatist Bill”, has made its way through the legislature, the change which would place a hurdle in Muslim women’s lives and their integration in society.
It is difficult to understand the fact that there is a rise in racism and anti-Muslim behavior globally in the midst of the pandemic which has killed millions of people. Unfortunately, in this time of worldwide crisis, we still have time to hate each other and criticize others on their religion and identity. However, by targeting the religious beliefs of one minority group, French politicians are either manipulating the facts to gain political popularity in the upcoming elections or they are truly unaware of the teachings of Islam. French politicians haven’t tried to comprehend the core beliefs of the religion, and yet already passed a law.
It is thought by these politicians that Muslim women are oppressed- which is why they are passing the bill in the parliament, to “liberate” them. Ideally the public opinion matters- according to their governmental customs, they should have asked Muslim women about their opinions first on the importance of hijab which is a comforting honor that frees them from the judgments of society based on her physical appearance and provides others the ability to see her more for her character rather than her looks.
To tie it all together, although the French politicians’ aim is to amalgamate the country into a unified society, by committing to the expense of restricting a minority’s freedom through religious expression, they are not only setting a spark for conflict but are going against their very words and goals.