Catholic Laity in Senegal “outraged” at Prime Minister’s Remarks on Muslim Headscarf in Schools

CNL members lament that the “allusions made in the Prime Minister's statements have a dangerous tendency to make people believe that to be Catholic is to have Western culture, for which,  incidentally, the Church has no prejudices.”

“Private Catholic schools are entirely dependent on the Ecclesiastical Province of Dakar, which brings together the seven dioceses of the country and respects the laws and regulations governing our Nation,” they add.

CNL members emphasize, “Senegal is a country where diverse cultures have long coexisted in harmony. This peaceful coexistence of a plurality of cultures and beliefs can be seen as manifestations of a common desire to live together.”

“It is therefore the duty of the public authorities to preserve and ensure respect for these balances, by encouraging the expression of this diversity, backed by the construction of an area of equality and reciprocity,” CNL members say.

Catholic education, they continue, “informed by the Gospel’s message of hospitality and acceptance, aligns with the Senegalese Constitution’s guarantees of education and literacy for all citizens.”

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According to CNL members, for over two centuries, the Catholic Church has provided education to the people of God in the country “without distinction of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.”

They add, “Presently, Catholic schools educate 119,868 students, with only 28.08% being Catholic. This reflects the Church’s commitment to principles of equality, freedom, and mutual respect.”

Senegal’s Laity Council members note that the “internal regulations of Catholic schools are designed to uphold order and support the schools’ missions without infringing on students’ freedom of conscience.”

“Private Catholic institutions cannot tolerate behaviours that contradict their principles and disrupt the smooth operation of the schools,” they say.

The Council expresses its support for Catholic institutions in “enforcing their regulations and encourages adherence to the principles of mutual respect and living together.”

They view the debate over hijab as a matter of maintaining respect for general rules that promote dignity and diversity.

“The issue of headscarves in schools is not new; it was previously debated in 2019,” CNL members recall, referring to the expulsion of more than 20 Muslim high school students who wore the hijab at St. Joan of Arc School, a Catholic-sponsored institution in Senegal’s capital city, Dakar.

At that time, CNL members say they “successfully argued for a balanced approach.”

They further say they are open to “dialogue that fosters unity and stability”, urging all Senegalese, particularly public authorities, to support the nation’s tradition of peaceful coexistence and inclusive development.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.