IN A landmark and controversial decision, the European Union’s (EU) highest court ruled that public authorities in member states can ban employees from wearing visible signs of religious belief. This includes the hijab worn by Muslim women.
The case came to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after an employee of the Eastern Belgian municipality of Ans was told she could not wear an Islamic headscarf at work.
The municipality subsequently changed its terms of employment to require its employees to observe strict neutrality by not wearing overt signs of religious or ideological belief. According to Reuters, the woman concerned launched a legal challenge, claiming that her right to freedom of religion had been infringed.
Hijab, which is the traditional headscarf, worn around the head and shoulders has been a divisive issue across Europe for years.
Islamophobia?
Perhaps but do note the EU court ruling extends to all outward signs of all religions which include turbans worn by Sikhs or a kippah worn by Jewish men.
More pertinently, this case brings into sharp focus the local incident where an employee was wrongfully terminated for wearing a crucifix.
His employers – Mon Chinese Beef Roti – was reacting to negative comments from Muslim netizens who highlighted their discomfort that a person wearing a crucifix was preparing supposedly halal food.
That case raised the ire of many non-Muslims and was even brought up in the Parliament but to date, no action seems to have been taken against the errant employer.
To all netizens who created an ugly scene by pressurising the restaurant into persecuting a young man for his religious beliefs, please take a look at the EU court ruling.
Horrible feeling isn’t it to be denied the basic right to practice one’s religion? – Nov 30, 2023
Main pic credit: Reuters
