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Laicite Or Laicita: The Regulation Of Religious Symbols In French And Italian Public Schools, Aubrie Kent

Emory Law Journal

Both France and Italy regulate the presence of religious symbols in public classrooms with the aim of transmitting national values and culture to students and promoting state unity. As more students of non-Christian backgrounds immigrate to France and Italy from outside Europe, the debate around religion in public schools has intensified, especially concerning Muslim students. France enforces a strictly neutral secular space by requiring the removal of any religious symbols, including head coverings like hijabs and yarmulkas. Italy mandated the display of the crucifix in every public school classroom until 2021, when the option was introduced to remove it. A …