On Tuesday, the cantonal parliament of Zurich voted 87 to 82 in favor of banning Hijab in schools and kindergartens for both teachers and students.

This measure primarily targets the hijab and other Islamic veils. Zurich's Governing Council is now required to draft a legal proposal within two years, while Education Director Silvia Steiner has pledged to respect both religious freedom and federal law.

The parliament supported a motion by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), claiming that the veil "contradicts the democratic values of mandatory education" and "constitutes discrimination and hinders equality of rights and opportunities."

"It is not a religious symbol, rather it represents political Islam," conservative MP Domenik Ledergerber claimed.

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The total ban on the headscarf for schoolgirls may face constitutional challenges. In 2015, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland ruled that a student could, in principle, invoke religious freedom due to compulsory schooling. Nonetheless, other cantons, such as Aargau, plan to follow Zurich's example, at least for those under 16. St. Gallen has already banned the veil for teachers, while Bern and Schwyz have similar regulations. In Geneva, there is a face-covering ban for all public employees.

Source: todoalicante.es