E.U. court says employers can ban Muslim headscarf in workplace - washingtonpost

PARIS — The European Court of Justice ruled Tuesday that employers can prohibit the Muslim headscarf in the workplace. Although nonbinding, the decision sets an important precedent for the continent amid a fraught political climate.

As strong anti-immigrant sentiment spreads into the political mainstream and right-wing parties soar in popularity ahead of several key elections this year, the ruling is bound to fan the flames of long-simmering culture wars in Europe, especially in France.

The court addressed different complaints from two Muslim women — one from France and one from Belgium — who alleged that their employers had discriminated against them for wearing the Muslim headscarf, or hijab, to the office.

The judges concluded otherwise: “An internal rule . . . which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination.”

Courts in France and Belgium will be left to settle the disputes in question. - Read More

E.U. court says employers can ban Muslim headscarf in workplace