The French government is planning a law to prevent young people wearing headscarves in schools. The reason for this strange law is religion. France has traditionally drawn a clear distinction between the State and religion.
This "secular", or "non-religious", approach to public life is historically important.
In recent years, dozens of young women have been expelled from school for refusing to remove their head covering. They are Muslim and say their covering, known as a hijab, is part of their culture and beliefs. The authorities say that it is religious and therefore not appropriate for school.
The law would ban Islamic headscarves, large crosses, skullcaps and perhaps also Sikh turbans in state schools.
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