Bavaria to Become Second State to Ban Headscarves

Bavaria has become the second German state to propose the ban of headscarves in schools. Following in the controversial footsteps of its neighbors in Baden-Württemberg, Bavarian government officials announced the draft bill on Tuesday. If passed by the southern German state’s parliament, where the ruling Christian Social Union has a two-thirds majority, Muslim teachers would no longer be allowed to wear headscarves in class. Monika Hohlmeier, Bavaria’s education minister, said that the headscarf as a religious symbol reduces the position of women in society, state and family and effectively prevents the emancipation of Muslim women. This stands as a contradiction to the democratic and constitutional values of Bavaria, she added. The Bavarian state parliament is expected to take final decision on the bill in January.