Despite severe criticism from the international community, France has ramped up efforts to implement its controversial "anti-separatism" bill, which has prompted a sharp rise in assaults against Muslims in the European state.
The French government ruled out the use of the slogan “Blessed Friday” of a globally renowned Turkish clothing and e-commerce company, Modanisa, in its latest crackdown on Muslim communities, claiming that it was not in line with the principle of secularism.
Speaking to Yeni Safak Daily, Samim Sürel, Modanisa's vice-president of marketing and branding, said that one of their billboard ads featuring women wearing headscarves was banned in France in September, even though it was displayed in about 40 other countries with no objection or challenge.
"Our billboard ads with the phrase 'Blessed November' were not put up in France on the grounds that they are not in line with secularism, although we haven’t faced any problems in other countries. Our appeal was rejected, and we have been asked to change it," Sürel said.
Furthermore, the Council of Europe removed a social media campaign promoting women's diversity and their right to wear headscarves or hijabs following a French condemnation at the beginning of November.
The images of women in headscarves were shared on the Twitter account of the council’s Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Division with the slogans: "Freedom is in the headscarf," "Bring joy & accept hijabs," and "Beauty is in diversity as freedom is in the hijab.” However, the French backlash led to their removal, mere days after the project’s launch.
In August, France’s highest constitutional authority approved a controversial “anti-separatism” law that has been criticized for singling out Muslims, despite strong opposition from both right- and left-leaning lawmakers.
The government claims that the legislation is intended to strengthen France's secular system, as critics argue that it restricts religious freedoms and marginalizes Muslims.
The law allows officials to intervene in mosques and associations responsible for their administration, as well as control the finances of Muslim-affiliated associations and NGOs.
France has shut down dozens of mosques since November 2020 based on claims of radicalization.
It also restricts the educational choices of Muslims by making homeschooling subject to official permission.
Under the law, patients are prohibited from choosing their doctors based on gender for religious or other reasons, and "secularism education" has been made compulsory for all civil servants.
