French public schools have sent dozens of girls home for refusing to remove their abayas- long, loose-fitting robes worn by some Muslim women and girls- on the first day of the school year, according to Education Minister Gabriel Attal.
Defying a ban on the garment seen as a religious symbol, nearly 300 girls showed up on Monday morning wearing abayas, Attal told the BFM broad-caster on Tuesday.
Most agreed to change out of the robe, but 67 refused and were sent home, he said.
