Secular schools are secular

French Lawmakers OK Religious Apparel Ban

The issue has also proven to be sharply divisive among France's Muslims - at 5 million, Western Europe's largest Islamic community. Many believe that banning head scarves is a way to exclude Muslim girls from public schools and further ostracize their community.

Sociologist Farhad Khosrokhavar says the law will be ``the beginning of the problem.''

``Even those who do not wear the head scarf will feel offended,'' said Khosrokhavar, author of ``The Head Scarf and the Republic.''

``Instead of fighting against Islamic radicalism, it might encourage it,'' he told Associated Press Television News.

But other Muslims here believe the key to successful integration is to live the values of their adopted land.

``I arrived in France and adapted to this country,'' said 65-year-old Telly Naar, who came from Morocco 40 years ago. ``Each should be able to practice religion at home. If one wants to wear the headscarf outside, fine, but not inside a school that is secular.'' (italics added -- DS)