The International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslim), affiliated with the global foundation of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Husseini Shirazi, may Allah prolong his life, issued a statement condemning the decision of the Austrian Parliament to ban Muslim girls under the age of 14 from wearing the hijab in schools.

The statement declares that the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslim) strongly condemns and rejects the decision of the Austrian Parliament to prohibit Muslim girls under the age of 14 from wearing the hijab in educational institutions.

This decision represents a regrettable step and a clear violation of fundamental human rights and religious freedoms guaranteed under international conventions.

Violation of religious freedom: Wearing the hijab is a religious practice and a symbol of faith belonging to Islam. Banning it constitutes a direct attack on the right to freely practice religious rituals and observances, and it sends a negative message to the Muslim community.

Discrimination and exclusion: This law institutionalizes discrimination based on religion and may lead to the exclusion of Muslim girls from their educational and social environments. This contradicts the principles of integration and peaceful coexistence upheld by democratic societies.

Violation of family rights: This law represents an unjustified interference in family affairs and undermines the educational and religious authority of families over their children.

The International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslim) emphasizes that freedom of belief and the expression of religious identity for all individuals, including children, must be protected as long as it does not conflict with public order or the rights of others.

Demands of the International Nonviolence Organization:

Based on the above, the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslim) calls for the following:

Immediate repeal of the decision: We call on the Austrian Parliament and government to immediately and fully repeal this legislation and to work toward promoting an inclusive educational environment that respects religious and cultural diversity.

Respect for Austria’s international obligations: We urge Austrian authorities to fully adhere to the principles enshrined in international human rights conventions, particularly freedom of religion and belief, and the protection of children’s rights.

Comprehensive social dialogue: We call for the initiation of a genuine and constructive dialogue with representatives of the Muslim community and civil society organizations to ensure that educational policies are fair and non-discriminatory.

The organization affirms that peace and justice can only be achieved through respect for the rights and freedoms of all components of society, and it calls for the rejection of all forms of hatred, prejudice, and discrimination.

International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslim), Washington