French lawmakers overwhelmingly back veil ban
Law would prohibit religious symbols in state schools
"The key passage of the law, which schools would apply from September, reads: “In primary and secondary state schools, wearing signs and clothes that conspicuously display the pupil’s religious affiliation is forbidden.”
The issue goes to the heart of France’s self-image as a secular state that keeps faith out of state schools and services to ensure no religion dominates or suffers discrimination.