Austria has introduced a new law banning headscarves in schools for girls under 14 as the new school year begins. The law specifically prohibits "traditional Muslim" head coverings, such as hijabs or burkas, in both public and private schools. Integration Minister Claudia Bauer, from the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), explained that the headscarf is seen as "a sign of oppression and a means of controlling girls from the earliest childhood." However, critics argue that the law could fuel anti-Muslim sentiment and may be unconstitutional. The law was passed by a conservative-led coalition of three centrist parties: the ÖVP, the Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos. They describe the measure as a "clear commitment to gender equality" and say it aims to protect the rights of young girls. Carla Amina Baghajati, from the official Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ), told the BBC that the organization "firmly opposes the ban." She said the law "unjustifiably restricts the fundamental right to freedom of religion and disproportionately affects Muslim girls." The IGGÖ has stated it will support legal challenges by girls and their families who feel their rights are being violated and wish to take their cases to the Constitutional Court. Previously, the court had struck down a similar ban in 2020, citing Austria's principle of religious neutrality. Teachers are expected to enforce the new rule by holding discussions with students and their legal guardians if they see a child wearing a headscarf. If violations continue, child services must be notified, and guardians could face fines of up to €800. Some teachers have expressed concerns about being forced to enforce the ban. The Green Party's Sigi Maurer criticized Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, from the liberal NEOS, for "creating new conflicts and offloading them onto the teachers." She argued that teachers are "already under enormous strain" and that Wiederkehr wants to "foist the role of police officers onto them." The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) claims the current ban does not go far enough, calling for a general prohibition on headscarves and face coverings for both students and teachers. FPÖ member Ricarda Berger said there is "no place for political Islam in Austria, and certainly not in our schools." Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker, leader of the ÖVP, recently called for a constitutional ban on political Islam, stating he does not "want to live in an Islamic state." In France, a ban on wearing any conspicuous religious symbols, including headscarves, has been in place in schools for over 20 years. Austria's law differs in that it specifically targets head coverings worn by Muslim women. Like France, Belgium, and Denmark, Austria also bans the full face veil (niqabs or burkas) in public. Baghajati from the IGGÖ warned about "a troubling trend" across Europe where complex social issues are being reduced to symbolic measures targeting minority groups. She said such approaches may generate political attention but rarely solve the underlying problems.