Veiled Politics

On March 15, 2004, the French government passed a law that banned the wearing of "conspicuous signs" of religious affiliation in public schools. Those were defined as "signs such as a large cross, a veil, or a skullcap. Not regarded as signs indicating religious affiliation are discreet signs, which can be, for example, medallions, small crosses, Stars of David, Hands of Fatima, or small Korans."

Although the law applied to Jewish boys in skullcaps and Sikh boys in turbans, as well as

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