Abstract

Based on a judgment of the German High Court of Justice, some federal states passed laws holding that a female teacher is not allowed to wear an Islamic headscarf in a public school, whereas Christian symbols can be allowed due to their general cultural significance. The article argues that such a differentia­tion is incompatible with the equal concern and respect a secular state owes to each of its citizens. The arguments are based on an ethical understanding of liberalism that takes the difference between weak and strong evaluations se­riously. Apart from pragmatic considerations, ethical liberalism supports a mod­erate multiculturalism in dealing with conflicts around religious signs and sym­bols.