Headscarf Teacher Fired: Belgium Neutrality Ban Explained

A Belgian teacher in East Flanders has been dismissed for refusing to remove her headscarf, marking what is believed to be the first case in Flanders of a teacher being explicitly sacked for wearing one. Hadija Amajoud, who taught at Kiempunt Campus Assenede, lost her permanent appointment on Monday after a second disciplinary procedure under the province's neutrality rules.

Background: What led to the dismissal?

Amajoud started working at the provincial school in September 2022, already wearing a headscarf when no ban was in place. She received a permanent contract on 1 January 2024. The conflict began after East Flanders introduced an amended personnel regulation from 1 September 2024 that prohibits visible religious and philosophical symbols for staff, with an exception only for religious education teachers. The province offered Amajoud a role teaching Islamic religion, but she refused. "I don't want to be reduced to my faith. I find it a strange proposal: you wear a headscarf? Then you go teach Islam," she said.

Timeline of the headscarf dispute

• September 2022: Amajoud begins teaching at Kiempunt Campus Assenede wearing a headscarf.
• 1 January 2024: She receives a permanent appointment.
• May 2024: East Flanders province starts a disciplinary procedure, later paused because the rules were not yet watertight.
• 1 September 2024: New neutrality rules ban visible religious symbols for teachers.
• September 2026: After a second disciplinary procedure, Amajoud is dismissed.

The Flemish neutrality rules for teachers have sparked debate across Belgium, where education regulation is set at provincial level rather than nationally. The East Flanders coalition consists of N-VA, CD&V and Vooruit.

The legal battle: VMRI ruling vs court decision

Amajoud took her case to the Flemish Human Rights Institute (VMRI), which ruled in her favour. The VMRI concluded there had been direct discrimination before the new personnel rules took effect. After the rules were introduced, the institute found indirect discrimination, because neutral dress codes in practice force Muslim women to choose between their job and an essential part of their identity. The VMRI also found no evidence that a headscarf harms the neutrality of lessons.

What the Flemish Human Rights Institute recommended

• Allow Amajoud to continue working with her headscarf.
• Withdraw the general ban on religious or philosophical symbols for teachers in East Flanders provincial education.

However, the VMRI's opinion was a strong recommendation but not legally binding. When Amajoud challenged the new rules in court, a judge rejected her claim in May 2026, ruling that she had chosen a career in education and must comply with democratically approved regulations made by the provincial board. The Belgian headscarf ban legal precedent is now likely to be tested further, as the socialist trade union ACOD has announced it will appeal the dismissal.

Impact and implications of the headscarf dismissal

Amajoud says the case goes beyond her personal situation. "It is not only about my headscarf or about me personally. For me this goes much broader, about a fundamental right to religious expression," she said. "I lose not only my job, but also my income, my security and my permanent appointment." She also points to the teacher shortage, arguing it is difficult to understand why a teacher must leave at this moment.

The province extended its neutrality rules to students from 1 September 2026, banning religious clothing and symbols for pupils as well. Experts in religious freedom in education note that the outcome could influence similar debates in other Belgian provinces and European countries where secular neutrality policies clash with individual religious expression.

FAQ: Headscarf ban in East Flanders education

Why was Hadija Amajoud dismissed?

Amajoud was dismissed because she refused to remove her headscarf while teaching, in violation of East Flanders' neutrality rules that have banned visible religious symbols for staff since 1 September 2024.

Is it illegal to wear a headscarf in Belgian schools?

Rules vary by province and school network. In East Flanders provincial education, both teachers and students are now prohibited from wearing visible religious or philosophical symbols, with an exception for religious education teachers.

What did the Flemish Human Rights Institute say?

The VMRI found direct discrimination before the new rules and indirect discrimination after, advising that Amajoud be allowed to work with her headscarf and that the general ban be withdrawn. However, its opinion was not legally binding.

Will the teacher appeal the dismissal?

Yes, the ACOD trade union has announced it will appeal the dismissal, potentially setting a legal precedent for religious freedom in Flemish public education.