Chirac moves to ban Muslim headscarves in public schools

FRENCH President Jacques Chirac yesterday asked parliament to pass a law banning Islamic headscarves and other religious insignia in public schools, a dramatic and potentially explosive move aimed at shoring up the nation’s secular tradition.

“Secularism is one of the great successes of the Republic,” Mr Chirac said in an address to the nation. “It is a crucial element of social peace and national cohesion. We cannot let it weaken.”

Mr Chirac said he would push for a law to be enacted in time for the school year that begins next autumn. Islamic headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crucifixes would fall under the ban.