Guest writer Erica Howard discusses the decision facing the European Court of Justice on two cases concerning headscarves worn by Muslim women at work in Belgium and France, respectively, in accord with their beliefs and practice of Islamic law. Two advocates general heard the cases in a consolidated hearing and came to two different conclusions – albeit citing many of the same articles of the EU law governing religious discrimination and accommodation in the work place: Directive 78/2000/EC. Howard credits their differences to differing interpretations of 'occupational requirement,' and how liberally this should be defined with respect to religion. The ECJ must now resolve the issue, which could set the tone for how employers regard questions sharīʿa in the EU workplace.  Read more 
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