First Formal Step Taken to Ban Scarves at Schools
From Times Wire Reports
Despite protests at home and abroad, the French government took its first formal step toward banning Islamic head scarves in public schools, adopting the measure in a Cabinet session.
The bill would also ban Jewish skullcaps, large Christian crosses and other religious symbols. But President Jacques Chirac has made clear that it is aimed at the coverings worn by Muslims.
Some lawmakers have already said they would abstain or oppose the bill in a scheduled Feb. 10 lower house vote.
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