Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kors has proposed a ban on headscarves in high schools as part of his promises to the next general election due on September 29.

Kors, known for his anti-Islam and pro-Islamophobic stances, has vowed to ban the headscarf in high schools, whether for female students or teachers, if he wins the election.

According to opinion polls, the Kors party is likely to get 35% of the votes, which qualifies him to form a coalition government.

The proposal came days after the Ministry of Education activated a circular to implement the ban on wearing the headscarf in whole or in part in primary schools, and activate judicial procedures against violators of students and teachers.

Kors' proposal was challenged by a number of civil society workers.

"Freedom of religion is restricted under the laws of the country, and the headscarf ban is unacceptable," Umit Farol, head of the Muslim Organization of Austria, told Anatolia.

"The hijab is a religious obligation on every Muslim woman, and it cannot be part of any political debate."

Sonia Zaafarani, head of a center for "education without discrimination", explained that discussions about the hijab "are aimed at declaring that religious act a crime."

"A lot of research in recent years has indicated that discrimination against Muslims in Austria is the highest among European countries," Zaafarani said.

She stressed that the headscarf ban is contrary to human rights "and it is unacceptable to link the wearing of the headscarf with political Islam."

Austrian activist and writer Wilhelm Langthaler said that attempts to place the "headscarf and immigration" on the political agenda would "hide the country's social and economic problems."

"More must be done to protect basic rights such as freedom of religion and thought," Langthaler said. About 800,000 Muslims live in this country.

Returning to the Ministry of Education's circular, it contains detailed information on the law banning the headscarf in primary schools issued four months ago. The ministry has promised that lawsuits will be filed against teachers who do not enforce the ban.

The circular provides for the prohibition of religious or ideological symbols requiring full head covering, considering that covering the hair of the head is against the law.

It was also stated that showing the front part of the head hair and covering the remaining section was also contrary to the law and also required criminal proceedings.