# Pro-Hijab Activists Host Demonstration for European Muslims' Right to Wear Headscarf July 12, 2004 Source: Reuters [http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5645913](http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5645913) On July 12, 2004 *Reuters* reported, "Activists launched a campaign on Monday to protect the right of Muslim women in Europe to wear Islamic headscarves. The issue of the hijab -- the traditional headscarf worn round the head and shoulders -- has sparked controversy across the continent and underlined sharp divisions over integrating Muslims. Some 250 delegates from 14 countries congregated at London's City Hall under the banner of a pro-hijab pressure group to campaign over what they see as human rights violations. Among their most vociferous supporters was leading Muslim theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi who called on France to overturn a ban on headscarves in schools, due to begin in September...At the conference, the French headscarf move was also condemned by London Mayor Ken Livingstone who said: 'The French ban is the most reactionary proposal to be considered by any parliament in Europe since the Second World War. It marks a move toward religious intolerance which we in Europe swore never to repeat, having witnessed the devastating effects of the Holocaust.'" See also:- [ Advocacy/Government ](/news-stories/advocacygovernment) - [ Civil Liberties/Civil Rights ](/news-stories/civil-libertiescivil-rights) - [ Discrimination/Accomodation ](/news-stories/discriminationaccomodation) - [ French Ban on Religious Symbols in Schools ](/news-stories/french-ban-religious-symbols-schools) - [ Headscarf Controversies ](/news-stories/headscarf-controversies) - [ Schools ](/news-stories/schools) - [ Islam in Europe ](/news-stories/islam-europe) - [ Religious Freedom ](/news-stories/religious-freedom) - [ Islam ](/religions/islam) - [ International ](/tags/international) - [ Women ](/tags/women) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)