For the link impaired...
By ELAINE GANLEY, Associated Press Writer
PARIS - France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to ban students from wearing Islamic head scarves and other religious apparel in public schools.
The measure, which would outlaw conspicuous religious clothing and symbols in classrooms, was approved 494-36. It goes to the Senate, where little opposition was expected, in early March.
The measure was expected to take effect in September.
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.
Sanctions for refusing to remove conspicuous religious signs and clothing would range from a warning to temporary suspension from school to expulsion.
The bill got far more than the 288 votes in the 577-seat National Assembly that were needed to pass — a measure of its wide popularity within France, demonstrated in repeated public opinion polls.
French leaders hope a law will quell the 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 head scarves. Scores more have been expelled since then.
The government argues that a law is needed to protect France's secular traditions and to diminish rising Islamic fundamentalism. The ban would apply to Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses as well as the head scarf.
"This law is for us indispensable," said Martine David, a Socialist lawmaker. Teachers "need a clear judicial framework."
Parliament's majority party — the Union for a Popular Movement — agreed Thursday to a last-minute amendment by the Socialists that calls for an evaluation of the law a year after it takes effect.
Lawmakers want the option of being able to alter its language from "conspicuous" to "visible" if necessary in order to eliminate vagueness or ambiguity.
The governing UMP party also added an amendment to ensure that mediation takes place before any sanctions are imposed — another Socialist suggestion.
'em. Let the next French Revolution begin!