An official report on church-state relations in France recommends that a law be passed banning "conspicuous" religious symbols in public schools. These symbols would include headscarves worn by Muslim girls, yarmulkes worn by Jewish boys and large crosses worn by Christians. "Discreet" religious signs would be allowed, such as the Jewish Star of David, a small cross, or the Muslim hand of Fatima.
The New York Times reports that the document, written by a 20-member commission made up of religious leaders, teachers, politicians and sociologists, recommended that public schools provide special meals in their cafeterias for observant Jews and Muslims. It also advocated adding at least one Jewish and Muslim holiday to the official calendar, a move with no parallel in the rest of Europe.
Some opponents of a scarf ban argue that it will spawn the establishment of private Islamic schools that will be hard for the state to monitor. French President Jacques Chirac is scheduled to announce on Wednesday whether he will push for a law codifying a ban on headscarves in schools. The growing Muslim population in France has been pushing hard for recognition of their religious needs, and organized groups are pressuring Muslims to identify first with their faith and then with their citizenship.
The New York Times reports that the document, written by a 20-member commission made up of religious leaders, teachers, politicians and sociologists, recommended that public schools provide special meals in their cafeterias for observant Jews and Muslims. It also advocated adding at least one Jewish and Muslim holiday to the official calendar, a move with no parallel in the rest of Europe.
Some opponents of a scarf ban argue that it will spawn the establishment of private Islamic schools that will be hard for the state to monitor. French President Jacques Chirac is scheduled to announce on Wednesday whether he will push for a law codifying a ban on headscarves in schools. The growing Muslim population in France has been pushing hard for recognition of their religious needs, and organized groups are pressuring Muslims to identify first with their faith and then with their citizenship.