On 11 December 2025, the Austrian Parliament decided to ban the hijab for children under the age of 14 in both public and private schools throughout Austria. The ban will enter into force in February 2026.
The decision was taken after several years of political debate in parliament. Although the measure comes late, it represents progress in favor of children’s rights and a clear stand against the political Islamist movement. As expected, the Islamic organization Islamic Religious Community in Austria condemned the law, claiming that it violates children’s rights and constitutes a political exploitation of anti-Islamic sentiment.
The Austrian government has stated that the law is a “clear commitment to gender equality” and aims to protect young girls from oppression.
Islamist movements angrily claim that the law violates children’s rights, despite the fact that, according to certain Islamic legal interpretations and customs, girls may be married off as young as nine years old and subjected to serious abuse. Young girls are forced to wear the hijab, forbidden from socializing with boys, excluded from activities such as swimming and music, and in countries where Islamists hold state power—such as the Islamic Republic of Iran—children are frequently arrested, tortured, or even executed.
Forcing hijab and other restrictions on children, especially girls, constitutes a grave violation committed by Islamist governments and movements. Had Western countries not tolerated political Islamism and Islamist governments, hijab and other abuses against children should have been prohibited decades ago.
The National Association Children First, which has campaigned against the imposition of hijab on children for several decades, welcomes Austria’s decision and declares the following:
- In Austria, hijab should be prohibited for all children and minors below the legal age, not only for children under 14.
- In all countries, hijab should be prohibited for children below the legal age.
Hijab on children is not a child’s choice. On the contrary, it is a forced dress code imposed by adherents of a particular religious sect. Children have no religion, tradition, or sectarian affiliation of their own. The interference of religious sects and religions in children’s rights must be stopped decisively.
The National Association Children First calls on all freedom-loving people worldwide to firmly defend children’s rights and to refuse to allow these rights to be used as bargaining chips between governments and Islamist movements. Veiling of children should be legally prohibited worldwide, and all abuses against children by governments and religious movements must be brought to an end completely—without compromise.
Children First Now
2025-12-12
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