Zurich parliament votes to ban hijabs in public schools

The Zurich Cantonal Parliament has voted to ban religious headscarves for both female students and teachers in public schools and kindergartens. The motion, initiated by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), passed with 87 votes in favor, 82 against, and six abstentions. Supporters of the ban argued that the hijab is a symbol of political Islam that conflicts with the democratic values and neutrality of state educational institutions.

Opponents, including Social Democrats, the Green Party, and centrist parties, argued that the measure infringes upon religious freedom. While bans on teachers wearing hijabs are already implemented in cantons such as Bern and Geneva, the inclusion of students remains a legally contentious point. A 2015 Federal Supreme Court ruling previously suggested that state neutrality and gender equality alone were not sufficient legal grounds to prohibit students from wearing the hijab.

In addition to the religious headscarf ban, the Zurich parliament approved a strict measure prohibiting the use of private mobile phones, tablets, and personal computers in all public schools within the canton.