Spain: Protecting the Use of Headscarves in Classrooms

The Spanish government will create a law on Religious Liberty to establish the use of the Islamic headscarf in public spaces, including in educational facilities. The Minister of Justice, Francisco Camaño, stated that the new legislation “must be clear” with respect to the use of religious symbols in public spaces. Even though the content of the new law is still to be determined, the Minister has stated that “all veils are not equal”, and that just as it is regarded as “common sense” to carry a cross from the first communion in all classes except physical education, the type of activity in question will determine whether a hiyab can be worn. The Minister has stated that the new legislation will specify which religious accessories can be worn by citizens and in which public spaces, but their articles must be “compatible with and according to the surroundings”. Therefore, the specific regulations of different facilities -such as schools, hospitals, or military centres- will be the ones to determine which religious elements can be worn or not and in which circumstances. “It is interesting to see that some countries are supporting religious diversity and inclusion while others are trying to eliminate or ban religious clothing or symbols,” comments Diversity expert Michael Stuber, “the next five to ten years will see some more initiatives, pull-backs and progress until eventually a consistent European approach will be found”. He applauds Spain for its current move especially as the country had been less supportive of religious minorities several hundred years ago.