The French Senate today (September 14, 2010) overwhelmingly passed a bill banning the burqa-style Islamic veil on public streets and other places -- a measure that is seen as a symbolic defense of French values, according to the Associated Press website.
The Senate voted 246 to 1 in favor of the bill in a final step toward making the ban a law. The measure -- introduced by President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative party -- was passed by France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, on July 13, 2010.
Many Muslims believe that the law is one more blow to France's 2nd largest religion, and risks raising the level of Islamophobia in a country where mosques -- like synagogues -- are sporadic targets of hate.
On the other hand, the law's supporters say it will preserve France's values, including its secular foundation and a notion of fraternity that is contrary to those who hide their faces.
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