French schools send back girls for refusing to remove abaya

French schools have sent 67 girls home for refusing to remove their abayas on the first day of the school year. The abaya — loose-fitting, full-length robe worn by some Muslim women — was banned in schools by the French government in August.

Nearly 300 girls



came to school on the first day of term wearing the abaya, and 67 were sent home after they refused to remove the abaya, Education Minister Gabriel Attal told BFM, AFP reported.

Majority had agreed to change their clothes after being ‘reprimanded’ by teachers.