Categories: HalalphobiaLifestyle

Employers can fire employees who wear head-scarf says highest European Court

Share buttons by mashshare.net – Version: 3.3.4

Brussels, March 14th  2017 – The European court of Justice ruled today that employers can ban visible religious symbols including the headscarf. The backing of this headscarf ban by the highest court of justice in Europe, is a serious threat to the principles of equality, justice and freedoms that EU must uphold while also clearly going against the EU equality law, more specifically the employment directive, which is meant to -amongst other things- protect employees from discriminations based on religion. The two cases the court was asked to rule one were both brought by women who were the victim of an unfair dismissal by their employers for choosing to wear the headscarf.

Muslim women are already one of the most targeted groups in Europe for the visible expression of their faith in public and in particular at work. Many struggle to access and remain in the employment sector, facing a triple penalty with gender ethnicity and religion. In Belgium 44% of employers agree that wearing a headscarf can negatively influence the selection of candidates. In France, a 2014 CV testing shows that a Muslim woman wearing the headscarf applying for a job has a 1% return rate.

This ruling, will further alienate Muslim women from the workplace, preventing them from strengthening  their economic independence and their emancipation in the society by being part of the workforce. The Courts of Justice, meant to defend the weak and uphold universal values of freedom and equal rights, have given into the populist winds blowing across the world. After witnessing a Muslim ban in Trump’s america, we now see an effective ban on visible Muslim women in the workplace.

The European Forum of Muslim Women, a network of Muslim Women organisations working all across Europe, on behalf of its members and of the European Muslim Women that will be directly and indirectly affected by this ruling, strongly condemns and deplores the decision rendered today by the European Court of Justice.

Your Details are Our AMANAH
Get our weekly newsletter

Muslim women have been let down by the courts meant to protect them. A blank check has been given to employers to discriminate against the Muslim women who wear the headscarf and who consider it not just a religious symbol but rather an intrinsic practice of their faith.

The European Forum of Muslim women will continue advocating for equal rights and freedom of religion and thought in a pluralistic Europe, albeit in an increasingly difficult and populist political context.

This press statement is written by Hajar El Jahidi, Advocacy Coordinator of the European Forum of Muslim Women.

Share buttons by mashshare.net – Version: 3.3.4

Recent Posts

Discovering King Faisal: The Leader that Muslims Need

Discovering King Faisal: The Man Behind The Name Shah Faisal And How His Reign Relates to Today’s Fight for Palestine… Read More

June 4, 2024

Top 5 Islamic Influencers in Egypt

During the Palestinian Genocide of 2023, there was one man who single-handedly, demolished false propaganda, and rendered seasoned journalists, and… Read More

November 23, 2023

Thinking with your Heart

Imagine this you did nothing wrong, unarmed pinned to the ground, and surrounded by six other heavily armed men that… Read More

November 21, 2023

What does God want from Muslims?

What does God want from us Muslims? Somebody ask me. I did not have an answer for him at that… Read More

July 26, 2023

7 Guidelines to Be a Successful Muslim CEO

As a Muslim CEO, you are blessed with certain privileges and chosen to lead people. A transformation process that ultimately… Read More

July 18, 2023

Experience the holy month of Ramadan in the Istanbul style

Istanbul, where two continents converge, is also the location of several extremely unique Ramadan customs. Ramadan, known in Turkish culture… Read More

March 22, 2023