German Court Blocks Hijab Wearing Judge

A German court has ruled that a Muslim woman cannot serve as a judge or prosecutor in the state of Hesse because she intends to wear a hijab during court sessions.

The Darmstadt Administrative Court dismissed her challenge after she was denied a judicial post, arguing that the state’s constitutional duty to maintain strict religious and ideological neutrality inside the courtroom outweighs her individual religious rights.

Officials said a judge must represent the authority of the state without visible religious affiliation.

The ruling reignites debate over religious symbols in public institutions and whether personal faith can coexist with state neutrality in modern Germany.