Meloni, Who Has Taken a Different Position on Palestine and Gaza, Now Takes a Tough Line on Hijab and Burqa in Schools: Questions Arise
Rome | Shabu Zaidi
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to introduce new rules concerning religious clothing in schools. The proposed measures include a ban on garments such as the burqa and niqab that completely cover the face. According to Italy’s ANSA news agency, Meloni also referred to a ban on the burqa and hijab in her speech, while Reuters specifically reported restrictions on the burqa and niqab.
Meloni argues that students in Italian schools should keep their faces visible and that no girl or woman should be forced to cover her face in the name of tradition. The government is also considering limiting the number of foreign students in classrooms and making Italian-language learning compulsory for parents of foreign students whose children are facing serious difficulties integrating into the school system.
However, the decision has raised an important question: Is the actual issue religious head coverings, or is it the problem of integration and language difficulties in schools? Foreign citizens account for around 11.6 percent of students in Italian schools. Meloni argues that integration can be affected when a classroom has a very high number of students who have difficulty understanding Italian.
The debate also brings up the example of Christian traditions. Christian nuns are often seen wearing head coverings as part of their religious attire. This raises another question: if covering the head itself does not interfere with education, discipline or classroom activities, should the restriction be limited to face-covering garments, or should religious head coverings such as the hijab also fall within its scope? This distinction could become important when the final legal framework is decided.
Another question being raised is: What specific harm are the burqa, niqab or hijab causing in Italy that requires a new school-level law? Supporters of the proposal associate the measures with identity, security and social integration, while critics argue that excessive restrictions could conflict with children’s right to education and the broader goal of integration. Italian constitutional law expert Salvatore Curreri has also raised constitutional questions regarding the potential impact of the proposal.
It is also important to note that there is currently no evidence that Meloni’s move on school dress rules is a direct result of her foreign-policy positions. Her positions on Gaza, Iran and her disagreements with the United States are separate foreign-policy issues, while the proposed school measures primarily relate to Italy’s domestic debate over immigration and integration. In June 2026, a public disagreement also emerged between Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump during the Iran conflict, particularly over the use of American military bases and Italy’s sovereignty.
The proposed law has not yet come into force. The government is preparing to present the proposal to the Cabinet. Only after the legal process is completed will the exact scope become clear, including whether the final legislation will cover only the burqa and niqab or impose explicit restrictions on the hijab as well.