Norway: Education minister against hijab in elementary school

Norwegian Eduction Minister Kristin Halvorsen (SV, Socialists) wants hijabs out of elementary schools.


"I think children-hijab are absolutely undesirable, because it hampers the children's development and their chances of making independent choices," Halvorsen Said.

Helga Pedersen (Ap, Labor) said yesterday that she would consider a ban on hijab in elementary schools. The proposal is already supported by the FrP (Progress Party)

The SV leader and education minister doesn't hide that she's against the Muslim head-dress.

"Hijab in elementary school in Norway is something that appeared in recent years. I see it as coercion of small children, and it hinders them from participating equally with other children in Norwegian schools," says Halvorsen.

"I can't see that there's any religious reason for putting hijab on little girls. Neither is it a tradition in Muslim countries to treat little girls like adult women," says Halvorsen.

New waves of Islam phobia have started in recent years in Europe, especially after The September 11 attacks.