East Flanders dismisses teacher who refused to remove her headscarf

East Flanders administration dismisses teacher who refused to remove her headscarf

The East Flanders provincial administration dismissed Hadija Amajoud, who had worked at a special education school in Assenede since 2022, for refusing to remove her headscarf. The ACOD trade union is preparing to challenge the decision before the Appeals Chamber in Brussels, while the provincial administration cited staff regulations banning religious and political symbols.

Scraper SystemSeptember 14, 2026, 01:39 PM

East Flanders administration dismisses teacher who refused to remove her headscarf

Hadija Amajoud's refusal to remove her headscarf during lessons resulted in her dismissal by Belgium's East Flanders provincial administration. Amajoud had been teaching at a special education school in Assenede since 2022.

Amajoud began working at the school wearing her headscarf and made it clear that she would not remove it while teaching. Disciplinary proceedings were then initiated against her.

ACOD to challenge the decision

The ACOD trade union announced that it would take the dismissal decision to the Appeals Chamber in Brussels. The union argued that the case could set an important precedent regarding freedom of religion and neutrality in education.

Amajoud questioned the limits of the employer's authority to restrict a teacher's personal freedom. Describing the provincial administration's understanding of neutrality as "entirely political," Amajoud said that no one was completely neutral and that every teacher entered the classroom with their own views.

Ban applies in all provincial schools

The East Flanders provincial administration said the decision stemmed from the obligation to comply with staff regulations approved through a democratic process.

The use of religious and political symbols has been banned in all schools run by the provincial administration since the beginning of the current school year. The regulations do not allow teachers or students to wear badges, symbols or clothing expressing political or religious views.

Regulation brought before the Council of State

Six students and various organizations challenged the regulation before the Belgian Council of State. However, the court ruled against the challengers in May.

The Flemish Institute for Human Rights had also previously found discrimination and harassment in Amajoud's case.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

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East Flanders administration dismisses teacher who refused to remove her headscarf

Stay Updated with Ally Daily

ACOD to challenge the decision

Ban applies in all provincial schools

Regulation brought before the Council of State

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