In Senegal, wearing the veil in schools causes controversy

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko sparked controversy at the end of July by asking all schools to allow young girls to wear the Islamic veil: “Some things can no longer be tolerated in this country (…). In Senegal, we will no longer allow certain schools to ban the wearing of the veil.”

These remarks have caused a reaction from the Christian community in Senegal (around 2.7% of the population, mainly Catholics). The National Council of the Laity, established by the Conference of Bishops of Senegal, which brings together the Catholic associations and movements of the country, has expressed its “indignation”, Sunday August 4th, after this statement. “It is up to parents and students (…) to comply with the requirements of the internal regulations”, he explains in a press release. The national office of Catholic education has, for its part, asked Catholic establishments in Dakar to update their internal school regulations to “to prevent any provocation and possible conflicts on the issue of the veil”.

A debate that comes up episodically

The wearing of the veil in Catholic schools is occasionally debated. The latest example was in 2019: a Catholic school in Dakar refused to accept 22 high school girls because they were wearing the veil. After a conflict with the State, these students were able to return to the school with their headscarves.

In Senegal, Catholic schools, considered elitist, are popular, despite their cost. Some political leaders have attended these schools, starting with the current new President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected in March, on a promise of “systemic change” and defense of the country’s sovereignty.