France bans Muslim scarves.

Paris -- On January 28, the French government took its first formal steps to bar conspicuous religious symbols from public places--Jewish skull-caps, large Christian crosses, Muslim head scarves, Hindu turbans. In public schools (not private ones) signs and dress which "conspicuously show the religious affiliation of students are forbidden." Chirac said that France must uphold its secular foundations.

He made it clear that the bill is particularly aimed at the Muslim head scarf or hijab. Not surprisingly, Muslims in France--there are rive million of them--and around the world are offended. So are many Christians. In a speech delivered in French on January 14, Pope John Paul said that religious freedom might be threatened in some European countries which confuse the official separation of church and state with a ban on religion in the public sphere.

Cardinal Lustiger of Paris appealed to the state not to confuse the status of religion with the maintenance of public order. Referring to the use of the Muslim veil, he said that "The freedom of Islam is as precious as the freedom of Catholicism or Protestantism or Judaism." If the veil is a political sign of a Muslim organization, which according to the government has threatened the security of the republic," he continued, "let it assume its responsibilities, but not meddle in religious questions." The debate on the legislation has awakened "an anti-religious aggressiveness that has totally surprised Catholic circles."