Vienna, Austria, Apr 5, 2018 / 14:05 pm
The Muslim community in Austria is calling for more dialogue surrounding the government's recent proposal to ban headscarves, or hijabs, for young girls in schools.
The proposal, which is being dubbed a "child protection law," will be drafted later this year and could affect girls up to the age of 10. Austria's new coalition government has said this new measure would protect the nation's culture from Islamic influences and the infiltration of parallel societies, according to the BBC.
"Our goal is to confront any development of parallel societies in Austria," said Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, of the Austrian People's Party, to the local ORF Radio.
Kurz additionally noted concern that the headscarves worn by young girls in schools was becoming a problem, calling it a "growing phenomenon," although he did not give further details.
The Muslim community in Austria voiced concerns over the measure, calling the proposal "counterproductive." They also remarked that "very few" girls under the age of 10 wear headscarves to school and have requested more dialogue on the issue.