After two days of debate, the French Senate gave its overwhelming approval on Wednesday to a law banning Muslim headscarves as well as other religious signs from the nation’s classrooms, sending the bill to President Jacques Chirac for his signature.The Senate vote, 276 to 20, was as lopsided as the vote last month in the lower chamber of Parliament, with all the main political factions lining up behind the new restrictions. The measure has won widespread public support in France but has enraged Muslims around the world.Chirac initially called for the classroom ban on head scarves to confront what he called a dangerous extremist challenge to France’s tradition of secularism. He is certain to sign the law, tailored precisely to his demands, and the new restrictions is expected to be in place for the coming school year, which begins in the Fall. But many critics, including Muslim organisations, have predicted unintended consequences—such as some Muslim girls dropping out of school or signing up to attend Muslim schools where heads carves will be allowed.(LAT-WP)
