Critics kick as German court bans hijab-wearing woman from judicial post

A German court has ruled that a Muslim woman cannot serve as a judge or prosecutor if she refuses to remove her headscarf during court proceedings, a decision critics call a violation of religious freedoms.

The administrative court in Hesse announced its ruling on Monday, upholding the authorities’ decision to reject the woman’s application.

In a statement, the Darmstadt court acknowledged that the lawyer’s religious freedom carries significant constitutional weight. However, it ruled that this right is outweighed by competing constitutional principles—including state neutrality and the religious freedom of trial participants.

According to the court’s statement, the woman was asked during her application interview whether she would remove her headscarf when interacting with trial participants. She clearly said she would not.

Hesse authorities rejected her application, arguing that wearing a religiously symbolic garment during judicial proceedings violates the principle of state neutrality and could undermine public confidence in the justice system’s impartiality.

Civil rights advocates condemned the Hesse decision, arguing that Germany’s expanding body of neutrality regulations is increasingly used as a mechanism to police Muslim visibility rather than ensure genuine impartiality.

They warn that court rulings like these contribute to a growing perception that Muslim women’s religious expression is incompatible with democratic institutions.

The decisions also come as Muslim communities report a rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes.

Associations have documented increased assaults, vandalism targeting mosques, and harassment of women who wear the headscarf.

Critics said that by framing the headscarf as a symbol that must be removed to uphold state neutrality, courts risk giving social prejudice legal grounding.

Advocacy groups argue the rulings send a chilling message: that Muslim women must choose between their profession and their faith at a time when discrimination, hostility, and political rhetoric targeting Muslims are already deepening societal divides. (Anadolu Agency/American Muslim Today)

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