Ghent Mosques Association appeals to Council of State regarding headscarf ban
The Ghent Mosques Association (VGM) has announced that it will file an appeal with the Council of State seeking the annulment of the reinstated headscarf ban in provincial education in East Flanders. The association argues that the participation decree was not properly complied with and refers to testimonies from teachers who have remained anonymous for fear of sanctions.
The umbrella organisation, which represents 23 mosques in Ghent, describes a social climate in which Muslim women are structurally prevented from expressing their identity freely and with dignity. According to the VGM, statements made in the context of the headscarf ban point to a “disturbing shift in the boundaries of democratic debate”.
" Freedom of expression is under increasing pressure"
In particular, the association criticised remarks made by first deputy Kurt Moens, who stated on Wednesday during a provincial council meeting that he had consulted with the “broad Muslim community”. According to the VGM, no such consultations were held with the organisation.
The association also rejects the suggestion that opponents of the headscarf ban are leaning towards extremism and says that freedom of expression is under increasing pressure.
In response, Moens stressed that the provincial government is convinced of the legality of its decision. “We are fully confident that all correct procedures were followed in making this decision. The school regulations were approved by a large majority in the provincial council, in an extremely transparent and democratic process,” he said.
According to Moens, philosophical neutrality in provincial education “will indeed apply on September 1, 2026.”
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO HERWIG VERGULT
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