Paris Olympics veil ban causes consternation at home

​​​​​​​By Umit Donmez

PARIS (AA) - France's sports minister announced last month that French athletes will not be allowed to wear the Islamic veil at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Amelie Oudea-Castera views the veil as a form of proselytism and emphasized France's commitment to strict secularism.

It is a move that has triggered an outcry among Muslims and a lot of the French are questioning why it was introduced in the first place.

It comes after a recent school ban on the abaya -- a loose-fitting garment worn by Muslim women -- and a June decision by the French Council of State to uphold the veil ban in competitions organized by the French Football Federation (FFF).

It also prompted backlash from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, with spokeswoman Maria Hurtado reiterating the international body's stance on the issue.

"In general, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights believes that no one should impose on a woman what she should or should not wear," Hurtado told to reporters last Tuesday. "Limitations on the expression of religious or personal beliefs, such as clothing choices, are only acceptable under very specific circumstances that must proportionately and necessarily address legitimate concerns related to public safety, public order, public health, or morality."

-‘Shocked’

Paris resident Julien believes the decision "goes in the same direction” as the ban on the abaya in schools,

"These are ridiculous decisions that don't make sense in 2023, probably to divert our attention from the fact that the Olympics are not ready and to distract from real issues. I think it doesn't make any sense," she told Anadolu.

Another Parisian, Marie, was “shocked” when she heard the news.

"I don't see on what grounds athletes can't wear the veil," she said.

"I believe that everyone is free to wear the clothes they want while representing France in the way they wish," Alexandre told the Turkish news agency.

Aymeric considered it "unfortunate" that the sports minister made such a decision.

"I find it unfortunate that political and religious ideologies interfere in sports competitions, which are supposed to bring people together rather than divide them," he said.

"While it is her role to legislate on this matter, I find her stance on the subject quite regrettable," he said, adding that he believes it "rests on an ideological foundation.”

It is "at the very least, an ideological stance on the part of the minister, and perhaps even the government as a whole," he added.