French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has unveiled a proposed law aimed at prohibiting "Islamist ideologies."
According to AFP, the announcement by Le Pen about the proposed law comes 15 months before the presidential election in which she will compete against current President Emmanuel Macron. The agency noted that the "National Rally" does not provide a definition of Islamist ideologies in its proposal, but describes them as incompatible with the rights, freedoms, and principles outlined in the French constitution, due to a refusal to respect the secularism of the state and the factors of separatism they incite.
The proposed law put forward by the "National Rally" stipulates the prohibition of Islamist ideologies, their display, and public dissemination in cinema, the press, and schools. The agency added that the proposal categorizes these ideologies as "aggravating circumstances" when linked to any violations or crimes, potentially allowing for the withdrawal of French citizenship from the offender.
In contrast, the government's proposed bill includes measures to enhance the neutrality of state institutions, combat online hate, tighten oversight of associations, and increase transparency regarding the activities of religious communities. Jordan Bardella, the second-in-command of the "National Rally," considers the hijab to be a militant garment used by its wearers to separate themselves from the republic. Le Pen's party aims to ban "Islamist attire" in public spaces, notably the hijab.
Currently, the wearing of the hijab and all visible religious symbols is prohibited in French schools, and state employees must adhere to the principle of "neutrality" towards religions. Le Pen had previously called for the dissolution of three unions within the French Council of the Muslim Faith, as their leaders refused to sign the "Charter of Principles" for Islam. This comes as the French National Assembly is reviewing a bill concerning "separatism," specifically targeting radical Islam.
