Shafaqna English- A German judicial panel has barred a Muslim woman from serving as a judge.
The decision is being condemned by critics as a discriminatory violation of religious rights.
The administrative court in Hesse announced its ruling on Monday, upholding the authorities’ decision to reject the woman’s application.
In a statement, the Darmstadt court acknowledged that the lawyer’s religious freedom carries significant constitutional weight. However, it ruled that this right is outweighed by competing constitutional principles—including state neutrality and the religious freedom of trial participants.
According to the court’s statement, the woman was asked during her application interview whether she would remove her headscarf when interacting with trial participants. She clearly said she would not.
Hesse authorities rejected her application, arguing that wearing a religiously symbolic garment during judicial proceedings violates the principle of state neutrality and could undermine public confidence in the justice system’s impartiality.
The Braunschweig Higher Regional Court ruled that state law prohibits judges from visibly displaying symbols that reflect political, religious, or ideological views during trials—a restriction that also applies to lay judges.
Religious freedom advocates criticized the recent rulings on social media, arguing that Germany’s interpretation of state neutrality has become a tool for discrimination rather than impartiality.
Source: IQNA