As France reaffirms its secular tradition, critics claim it’s targeting Muslims. But what exactly are the “rights” being violated?

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France just marked 120 years of laïcité—its distinctive, hardline brand of secularism that insists religion and state keep their distance. But even as the country celebrates, conservative lawmakers’ new proposals to curb Islamic practices have stirred outrage from Muslim leaders, who accuse France of “weaponizing” secularism. Yet one might ask what “rights” are truly being violated—the right of children to fast or of young girls to be veiled? France’s measures may be strict, but they pale in comparison to the theocracies that punish dissent with prison or death.

Speaking of irony, organizers of the 2026 World Cup’s “Pride match” in Seattle have scheduled Egypt and Iran—two nations where homosexuality is outlawed—as the competing teams.

Unbelief Brief

On Tuesday, France celebrated [[link removed]] the 120th anniversary of its national secularism law [[link removed]]. Its passage marked the codification of the uniquely French principle of laïcité into the country’s legal code. Translated as secularism or state secularism, laïcité forbids almost any intersection of religion with government, going further than probably any other secular nation in the world.

In the weeks before the anniversary, lawmakers from the conservative party, The Republicans (LR), introduced a series of measures [[link removed]] they say will protect and strengthen French secularism against the threat of Islamism. These include prohibitions on minors under the age of 16 fasting during Ramadan and a broad ban on Islamic headscarves in any amateur or professional sport. The bills come on the heels of another proposal last month to completely prohibit girls under the age of 18 from donning the hijab in public, which the Interior Minister rejected [[link removed]].

Muslim leaders and some advocacy groups claim the proposals represent a trend where French secularism is weaponized [[link removed]] against Muslims, undermining the democratic principles it is meant to protect. There may indeed be a case that some of these proposed laws go beyond the traditional purview of “state secularism” to encroach unduly on Muslims’ private lives. It is nevertheless somewhat ironic that opponents of the proposals speak in terms of Muslims’ “rights.” What are these? The “rights” of young girls to wear head and face coverings, none of whom can make that decision of their own free will? Or the “rights” of children to spend a month out of the year hungry during the day?

Like all religions, Islam relies on coercion and indoctrination from a young age to induce people to behave in ways they would otherwise never choose. The logical outcome of its fundamental precepts is plainly seen in Iran, where the organizers of a marathon were just arrested [[link removed]] for allowing women to run without headscarves. Even if we do not support all of LR’s proposals, they would not hold a candle to the tyranny to which Islamist leaders subject their own citizens.

Also: organizers in Seattle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (not affiliated with FIFA themselves) have scheduled a “ Pride match [[link removed]]” that “will feature celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community.” Conspicuously, the teams competing in this game on June 26th are those of Egypt and Iran, where homosexuality is against the law (and punishable by death in Iran).

Whether the organizers scheduled this match in genuine ignorance or did so deliberately to draw attention to the nations’ appalling human rights abuses, the reaction [[link removed]] from both countries has been predictable. The Egyptian Football Association “categorically rejects the holding of any activities related to supporting homosexuality,” and Iran has expressed its displeasure as well. It will be interesting to see whether this “Pride match” actually takes place over these objections. Regardless, it should be taken as an opportunity to remind people of the horrific human rights and gay rights records of Islamic theocracies.

Lastly: it’s worth remembering this Ex-Muslim Awareness Month that, for all the discussion of Muslims’ rights not to see autonomous women and gay people in public, the perspectives of ex-Muslims who left the faith due to its backwardness on these issues are still sidelined. Advocates and policymakers would do well to listen to them, particularly those who make it their mission to amplify marginalized voices.

From the Community

Check out [[link removed]], the first global map of Ex-Muslim stories, shared anonymously by people who’ve left Islam. Created by a small team of Ex-Muslims, including artist Haram Doodles [[link removed]], the site offers a safe, simple, and powerful way for former Muslims to speak openly—something still dangerous in much of the world.

The first week of launch proved the importance of awareness and community amongst Ex-Muslims with almost 300 stories representing 149 cities across nearly 50 countries, including places where apostasy and blasphemy are still crimes.

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Until next week,

The Team at Ex-Muslims of North America

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