Education, secularism, and illiberalism: Marginalisation of Muslims by the French state

Laïcité, France’s idiosyncratic principle of secularism, is a unique term that today engenders state forms illiberalism, especially against marginalised communities in France. French Muslims experience instances discrimination and ‘othering’ as the endorses illiberal policies name laïcité. These acts symbolic violence transgress political geographies affect Muslims’ perceptions identification, citizenship, belonging. Building on nine interviews with Muslim higher education students, this article demonstrates ways which illiberalism operates lives students. It identifies role secular school making gendered Islamophobia. This serves means for better understanding lived experiences recognising socio-political changes need to be made France protect empower groups illiberalism.