Austrian Muslims organization call hijab ban “shamefull”

Austrian MPs have voted to pass a law banning hijabs in primary schools.

The law refers to ''all head-covering clothes of ideological or religious influence'', but it does not apply to the Jewish kippa, or to the turban worn by Sikh men.

The Austrian Muslims organization (IGGÖ) called the law ''shameful'' and described it as a ''diversion tactic''.

The law was tabled by the coalition government, made up of PM Sebastian Kurz' right-wing Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).

Speaking to Euronews, IGGÖ president Ümit Vural said the ban is ''destructive and disintegrating.''

"There is no way that there is a connection between the Muslim headscarf and so-called political Islam. That is pure propaganda."

The government has said it expects the law to face legal challenges, as Islamic religious organizations plan to dispute the law in Constitutional Court. Almost all opposition MPs in Austria voted against the ban.