'Sports should be inclusive': Activists slam France hijab ban

"Despite my desire and skills, I'm... not actually allowed to play for France because of discriminatory policies," 

Modern France still try to influence woman personal preference, not so many progress at all since medieval age. However this country still manage to get a seat in G7.

France's laws on secularism are intended to keep the state neutral in religious matters, while guaranteeing citizens the right to freely practice their religion.

What more can be asked of a liberal democracy? How many Muslim states are so accommodating.

How about those who are Muslim but don't want to wear the scarf? Is social pressure forcing them to? It's not in the Koran that they have to.

Petty state-promoted Islamophobia targeting women whilst pretending to offer Liberté, égalité, fraternité. They shouldn't have been allowed to even bid for the Olympics with such a ban.

I thought islam was oppressive towards women. If you go to a non-muslim country, why would you want to continue fuffing about with head coverings? Do the husbands/fathers insist even in France? Or if the women choose to wear them, then there isn't oppression at all because it's the women's choice?

Anyone who does not like the rules in a certain country is free to move to a different country more alligned with their views.

France is a secular country. One must respect the host country.

nickybutt

Anyone who does not like the rules in a certain country is free to move to a different country more alligned with their views.

You have no problem with all the rules and laws of living in Japan?

"its commitment to gender equality"

[...]

"to publicly call on sporting authorities in France to overturn all bans on athletes wearing the hijab in French sport, both at Paris 2024 and at all times and all levels of sport"

So having rule which apply regardless of gender, show problem with gender equality commitment issue. But having a gender excluded from the rule will not. I think, they should perhaps reconsider their view of gender equality.

Rules apply to everybody and only during tournament according to the article so when the sportperson choose to be a representative of something else than themselves, if not accepting to be a representative of one country. Considering the country you choose to represent is secularist thus state is religious void, how is it logical you want to represent your religion also (moreover considering religion tend to be state like as it impose rules on its members potentially conflicting with state one) ? I do not think it is so difficult for someone which want to represent a country to put their religious identity down the second they stand on the sport ground then put it back on the second they stood out of it.

Exceptions should be made for international events like the Olympics. Respecting the needs of the guest visitors.

French Muslim basketball player Diaba Konate Tuesday said she had hoped to represent her country at the Paris Olympics but did not stand a chance because she wears a headscarf.

Gotta follow the rules.

Ms. Konate should perhaps come to a compromise if she wishes to represent her nation - take the hijab off for the duration of the games. I'm sure she compromises on other aspects of her religion, living in secular France day-to-day.

 "But I do know Sikh players who wear a turban... They're still playing and they haven't been banned from the court."

Well, Sikhs should also be made to remove their turbans if they wish to play. Not sure why they'd get an exception.

Petty state-promoted Islamophobia targeting women whilst pretending to offer Liberté, égalité, fraternité. They shouldn't have been allowed to even bid for the Olympics with such a ban.

Their country, their rules.

In a secular nation like France, one should not be promoting their religions - especially so in the event of representing one's national team.

@Fighto!

Not sure why they'd get an exception

I do not think they get an exception, they most likely play low enough to neither have reached a level where someone was actually knowledgeable enough of the rules (there seems to have a hijab focus from everyone disparaging the law, not sure why) or where the rules apply as according to the article it is only during tournament.

Sikh also complain to be concerned by the national ban of religious symbol in specific situation, so ...

https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/France_turban_issue

There are a couple of ignorant comments talking about basically throwing away their religion if they wanted to live in a specific country. Someone can want to live and a country and not throw away what they believe in. Y'all live in Japan but you wouldn't like it if you were told you have to pray to Buddha everyday, you can't have any beliefs of Christianity or it's illegal to own a bible while in Japan for example. They need to revise the rules, wearing a headscarf is not a symbol that is trying to display a message nor does it hurt anybody. We are all humans here but need to learn to be more respectful of differences.

@wallace

"You have no problem with all the rules and laws of living in Japan?"

No, none at all.

How do a states LAWS keep the state NEUTRAL ?

Neutral would be to not pass laws.

Idiots.

The French are free to choose whatever requirements they want for representatives of their country to follow. Just like some countries where specific dress is mandated for all men and woman. No difference.

Fighto!June 12  11:56 am JST

Their country, their rules.

She is French, born and raised in Paris so it is her country too.