French Senate endorses head scarves ban

A law banning Islamic head scarves from France’s public schools was definitively adopted tonight with the Senate voting 276-20 in favour.

The overwhelming vote mirrored similar wide support by the National Assembly, the lower chamber of parliament, which passed the measure on February 10 by a vote of 494-36.

President Jacques Chirac must now promulgate the measure, by formally signing it into law, within 15 days.

It was Chirac who said a law was needed to protect the French principle of secularism.

The measure forbids religious apparel and signs that ”conspicuously show” a student’s religious affiliation. Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses would also be banned. However, authorities have made clear that it is aimed at removing Islamic head scarves from classrooms.

The law – to take effect with the start of the new school year in September - is seen as discriminatory by many French Muslims and has triggered protests around the world.

It also drew a reaction by a man identified as a top lieutenant of Osama bin Laden. A tape recording aired on February 24 attributed to Ayman al-Zawahri said the French measure “is another example of the Crusader’s malice, which Westerns have against Muslims”.

Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, in a surprise visit to the Senate today, said that France must begin explaining the law to others.