Islamic leaders in France have urged young Muslims to stay calm after the French president's support for a law banning headscarves in schools.
President Jacques Chirac backed proposals which would mean a ban on all conspicuous religious signs in schools.
He said secularism was one of France's greatest achievements and played a vital role in ensuring social harmony.
President of the French Council of the Muslim Faith, Dalil Boubakeur, asked Muslims to avoid confrontation.
"We call... for thoughtfulness, calm and serenity," he said.
France has the largest Muslim population in the European Union, with around five million people, and several thousand teenage girls are estimated to wear headscarves to classes. |