He was opposed to the French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools.

In France, children are forbidden from wearing conspicuous religious symbols in public schools.

France banned from its schools the hijab, the head scarf worn by many Muslim girls and women, along with other conspicuous religious symbols.

He said it would be a political blunder to attack such a conspicuous symbol of democracy.

See French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools.

In 2004, France passed a law banning the use of "conspicuous" religious symbols in public schools, including the hijab.

The law bans conspicuous religious symbols from public elementary and high schools.

The conference was called following the French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools, which particularly affected Muslim girls.

The report also recommended enacting a ban on conspicuous symbols of political affiliation.

In December 2004, the Belgian government said it was considering a ban on the wearing of any conspicuous religious symbols for civil servants.