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French MPs have voted by a massive majority to ban the Islamic headscarf and all other overt religious symbols from state schools.
The bill was passed by 494 votes to 36. It now goes to the upper house, the Senate, for approval.
The wearing of Jewish skullcaps, large Christian crosses and probably Sikh turbans would also be banned.
About 70% of French people back the controversial law - and even 40% of Muslim women, according to some polls.
Most French MPs backed the bill on the grounds that it protected the secularity of the French state, by keeping religion out of the classroom. |