France faces shifting attitudes toward secularism and religious identity

Sociologist Smaïn Laacher has released a new book, ‘Les Apostats. Renoncer à l’islam’, which examines the sociological complexities of leaving Islam. The work explores the ‘rupture of allegiance’ individuals face when declaring a departure from the faith, affecting their relationships with family and their original communities. The study utilizes testimonies from over 200 apostates, including data from a Francophone Discord group and the Rihame Academy, to highlight the social and personal costs of such transitions.

Simultaneously, new polling data from Ifop reveals shifting attitudes toward secularism and religious symbols in France. An investigation of nearly 10,000 people indicates that while a majority (53%) still reject the wearing of veils in public, this figure has declined by 10 percentage points since 2012. Notably, social acceptance of the veil has increased, with support rising from 7% in 2012 to 22% in 2026. This trend is driven largely by younger demographics, as approval for wearing the veil in public is three times higher among those under 25 compared to the general population.