Yes to headscarf ban

2004-02-10 19:14

Paris - France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to ban students from wearing Islamic headscarves and other religious apparel in public schools.

The measure, which would outlaw conspicuous religious clothing and symbols in classrooms, was approved by 494-36. It goes to the senate, where little opposition is expected, in early March.

Its implementation is expected for the 2004-'05 school year that starts in September.

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 conspicuous religious signs and clothing would range from a warning to temporary suspension from school to expulsion.

The bill got far more than the 288 votes in the 577-seat National Assembly needed to pass - a measure of its wide popularity within France, demonstrated repeatedly by public-opinion polls.

'Protecting France's secular traditions'

French leaders hope a law will quell the debate about headscarves that has divided France since 1989, when two young girls were expelled from their school in Creil, outside Paris, for wearing them. Scores more have been expelled since then.

The government argues that a law is needed to protect France's secular traditions and to ward off rising Islamic fundamentalism.

The ban would apply to Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses as well as the headscarf.

"This law is for us indispensable," said Martine David, a Socialist lawmaker. Teachers "need a clear judicial framework".

Parliament's majority party - the Union for a Popular Movement - agreed on Thursday to a last-minute amendment by the Socialists that called for an evaluation of the law a year after it took effect.

The issue has also proved sharply divisive among the Muslims of France - at 5 million, Western Europe's largest Muslim community.

Many believe that banning headscarves is a way to exclude Muslim girls from public schools and further ostracise their community.

Often fighting in the shadows

Sociologist Farhad Khosrokhavar says the law will be "the beginning of the problem".

"Even those who do not wear the headscarf will feel offended," said Khosrokhavar, author of The Head Scarf and the Republic.

"Instead of fighting against Islamic radicalism, it might encourage it," he said.

But, other Muslims here believe the key to successful integration is to live by the values of their adopted land.

Some said the debate on the issue helped expose the danger of Islamic fundamentalism and would help roll back radicalism.

"Until now families were alone in fighting fundamentalists, often in the shadows, and at danger to their safety," said Hanifa Cherifi, mediator for the national education system on the headscarf issue in schools.

- AP