France's Lower House Approves Head Scarf Ban

By Elaine Ganley
Associated Press
Wednesday, February 11, 2004; Page A24

PARIS, Feb. 10 -- France's lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to ban students from wearing Islamic head scarves and other religious apparel in public schools.

The classroom ban, which also applies to Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses, was approved 494 to 36. The measure goes to the Senate in early March, and little opposition is predicted.

"The Republic and secularism are strengthened," Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said, hailing "the magnitude of this vote."

The ban is to take effect in September. Applying the law could be the real test: Critics say it is too vague and will inflame anti-French feelings among the nation's large Muslim minority.

French leaders say they hope the measure will quell debate over head scarves that has divided France since 1989, when two girls were expelled from their school in Creil, outside Paris, for wearing head coverings. Scores more have been expelled since then.

The bill stipulates that "in schools, junior high schools and high schools, signs and dress that conspicuously show the religious affiliation of students are forbidden." It would not apply to students in private schools or to French schools in other countries.

Sanctions for refusing to remove offending apparel would range from a warning to temporary suspension to expulsion.

The majority party in Parliament, President Jacques Chirac's Union for a Popular Movement, agreed Thursday to a last-minute amendment that calls for a reevaluation of the law a year after it takes effect. The governing party also added an amendment to ensure that mediation takes place before any sanctions are imposed.

France has been widely condemned in the Arab and Muslim worlds for the planned ban. Thousands of protesters from Beirut to Baghdad have held street demonstrations against the measure.

Non-Muslims have also entered the debate. Greville Janner, vice president of the World Jewish Congress, called parliament's vote "a sad decision."

"In a multicultural society, citizens should be free to wear whatever appropriate religious symbols they wish," he said in a statement.

The issue has also proved sharply divisive among Muslims in France -- at 5 million, the largest Muslim population in Western Europe. Many Muslims in France say they believe that banning head scarves is a way to exclude Muslim girls from public schools and further ostracize the Muslim people.

"This law is going to create anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-French sentiment," Abdelhak Cherid, 24, said while standing on a Parisian street with friends. "No good will come of it."

But some Muslims say the key to successful integration is to adapt to the values of their adopted land.

"Everyone should be able to practice religion at home," said Telly Naar, 65, who came from Morocco 40 years ago. "If one wants to wear the head scarf outside, fine, but not inside a school that is secular."