France took a decisive step on Tuesday toward banning Islamic head scarves from public schools, with lawmakers overwhelmingly backing the government's drive to preserve French secularism from Islamic fundamentalism.
Legislators voted by a massive 494 to 36 margin to approve the controversial restriction on head scarves and other religious apparel -- despite protests and criticism from around the world that the measure infringes on religious freedom.
The legislation now goes to the Senate, where little opposition is anticipated, in early March. It is expected to be implemented for the 2004 to 2005 school year that starts in September.
The bill got far more than the 288 votes needed to pass in the 577-seat National Assembly -- a measure of its popularity within France, demonstrated repeatedly in public opinion polls.
"The Republic and secularism are strengthened," said Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, hailing "the magnitude of this vote."
French leaders hope a law will quell debate over head scarves that has divided France since 1989, when two young girls were expelled from their school in Creil, outside Paris, for wearing the head coverings. Scores more have been expelled since then.
"This law will help us to say to the Muslims, to the young ... that `You must also mobilize, and say what type of Islam you want within the Republic,'" said Communist lawmaker Andre Gerin.
The bill stipulates that "in schools, junior high schools and high schools, signs and dress that conspicuously show the religious affiliation of students are forbidden." It would not apply to students in private schools or to French schools in other countries.
The legislation does not spell out what apparel would be banned, but it targets Islamic head scarves, as well as Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses.
Sanctions for refusing to remove offending apparel would range from a warning to temporary suspension to expulsion.
The government argues that a law is needed to protect France's secular traditions and to ward off rising Islamic fundamentalism.
"This law is for us indispensable," said Martine David, a Socialist lawmaker. Teachers "need a clear judicial framework."
Parliament's majority party, President Jacques Chirac's Union for a Popular Movement, agreed Thursday to a last-minute amendment by the Socialists that calls for a re-evaluation of the law a year after it takes effect.
Lawmakers want the option, if necessary, of being able to alter the bill's language if it proves to be vague, ambiguous or too difficult to apply. The governing UMP party also added an amendment to ensure that mediation takes place before any sanctions are imposed -- another Socialist suggestion that helped the bill sail through with its enormous margin of victory.
France has been widely condemned in the Arab and Muslim world for the proposed ban. Thousands of angry protesters from Beirut to Baghdad have held street demonstrations.
Even non-Muslims entered the debate -- many on the side of opponents. Lord Greville Janner, vice president of the World Jewish Congress, said the parliament vote was "a sad decision."
"In a multicultural society, citizens should be free to wear whatever appropriate religious symbols they wish," he said in a statement.
The issue has also proven sharply divisive among Muslims in France -- at 5 million, Western Europe's largest Muslim community. Some believe that banning head scarves will become a method to exclude Muslim girls from public schools and further ostracize their community.
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