Germany Reverses Headscarf Ban for Muslim Teachers

Germany’s highest court will lift the ban on headscarves for teachers, correcting a 2003 verdict.

It follows an appeal made by two female Muslim teachers from Northrhine-Westfalia.

The verdict now reads that the headscarf can only be banned if the peaceful situation at the school is in danger – for example if parents are protesting against it.

The court ruled that as Christian symbols are still allowed by many regional school laws, headscarves should not be banned.

The press statement for the verdict appeared prematurely on the constitutional court’s website before being taken down, but not before German paper Taz had a good read and published most of the details.