Lawmakers OK French religious apparel ban

PARIS -- France took a decisive step Tuesday toward banning Islamic head scarves in public schools, with lawmakers overwhelmingly backing the government's drive to preserve French secular traditions from Muslim fundamentalism.\nThe ban on religious attire in classrooms, which also includes Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses, was approved 494-36, despite protests and criticism from around the world. The measure goes early next month to the Senate, where there is little opposition.\nThe ban was expected to take effect in September. Applying the law could be the real test: critics say it's too vague and will inflame anti-French feelings among the nation's large Muslim minority.\nBut the bill received far more than the 288 votes needed to pass in the 577-seat National Assembly -- a measure of its popularity within France, demonstrated repeatedly in public opinion polls.\n"The Republic and secularism are strengthened," said Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.\nFrench leaders hope the law will quell the debate over head scarves that has divided France since 1989, when two young girls were expelled from their school in Creil, outside Paris, for wearing the head coverings. Scores more have been expelled since then.\nThe 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.\nSanctions for refusing to remove offending apparel would range from a warning to temporary suspension to expulsion.\nThe government argues that a law is needed to protect France's secular traditions and to ward off rising Islamic fundamentalism.\n"This law is for us, indispensable," said Martine David, a Socialist lawmaker. Teachers "need a clear judicial framework."\nParliament's majority party, President Jacques Chirac's Union for a Popular Movement, agreed Thursday to a last-minute amendment by the Socialists that calls for a re-evaluation of the law a year after it takes effect.\nLawmakers want the option, if necessary, of being able to alter the bill's language if it proves to be vague, ambiguous or too difficult to apply. The governing party also added an amendment to ensure mediation takes place before any sanctions are imposed -- another Socialist suggestion that helped the bill sail through with its enormous margin of victory.\nFrance has been widely condemned in the Arab and Muslim world for the planned ban. Thousands of angry protesters from Beirut to Baghdad have held street demonstrations.\nEven non-Muslims entered the debate -- many on the side of opponents. Lord Greville Janner, vice president of the World Jewish Congress, said Tuesday's parliament vote was "a sad decision."\n"In a multicultural society, citizens should be free to wear whatever appropriate religious symbols they wish," he said in a statement.\nThe issue has also proven sharply divisive among Muslims in France -- at 5 million, Western Europe's largest Muslim community. Many believe banning head scarves is a way to exclude Muslim girls from public schools and further ostracize their community.\n"This is not a good idea," said Abdelhak Cherid, 24, smoking a cigarette in the street with his friends outside a Muslim grocery store in Paris. "It's going to cause problems -- serious problems."\n"This law is going to create anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-French sentiment. No good will come of it," he said.\nBut other Muslims in France believe the key to successful integration is to adopt the values of their adopted land.\n"I arrived in France and adapted to this country," said 65-year-old Telly Naar, who came from Morocco 40 years ago. "Everyone should be able to practice religion at home. If one wants to wear the head scarf outside, fine, but not inside a school that is secular."\nSome said the debate exposed the danger of Islamic fundamentalism and will help roll back radicalism.\n"Until now, families were alone in fighting fundamentalists, often in the shadows and at danger to their safety," said Hanifa Cherifi, a mediator for the national education system on the head scarf issue.\nThe debate "lifted the veil on fundamentalist thinking, which is taking a population hostage," she told parliamentary television.