German authorities have confirmed that the state of Berlin will allow Muslim teachers to wear the hijab, after more than 18 years of ban.
The Berlin State Education Ministry stated, in an official letter sent to school principals, that “the veil and the wearing of religious symbols by teachers will be permitted in general and can only be restricted in individual cases if it poses a danger to school peace,” reports Al-Rai daily.
Under Berlin’s “Neutrality Law”, which bars civil servants from wearing religious clothing and symbols, teachers in the city were banned from wearing headscarves since 2005.
However, several court rulings issued in recent years confirmed that the comprehensive ban on the headscarf constitutes discrimination and violates religious freedom guaranteed by the constitution.