French Muslim Council Denounces Ban of Religious Symbols in Schools

December 17, 2003

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-12/17/article02.shtml

On December 17, 2003 IslamOnline.net reported, "The French Muslim Council lambasted...a government report on secularity and religion, dismissing it as an 'affront' to the Muslim community in the western European country. In an open message to French President Jacques Chirac...the council said secularism in France took 'a step backward' after a government commission hadrecommended banning ostentatious religious sings in state schools, particularly hijab. Inked by the council's president Dalil Boubaker, the missive said the commission, headed by former minister Bernard Stasi, turned a blind eye to discrimination against the around five million Muslims in France – the largest minority – and brushed aside the council's opinion on the thorny issue."