EDITORIAL
Head scarf ban won't stem fundamentalism

France is proposing outlawing Islamic head scarves, Jewish yarmulkes and overt Christian crosses in the public schools to reaffirm the country's cherished devotion to secularism and separation of church and state.

And in theory, banning religious garb might seem a reasonable way to better integrate France's population, where anti-Semitism and Islamic fundamentalism are of significant concern.

With 5 million Muslims, the republic of Liberté, Egalité and Fraternité certainly doesn't want to become Islamicized to the point of having separate facilities for men and women because of the restrictions on Muslim females.

But, boy, could this head scarf ban backfire.

Unlike the United States, whose constitution protects religious expression, France has a lot more leeway to uphold its secular values.

However, targeting Muslim head scarves, or hijabs, may not be the best way to grease the wheels of integration.

Whether or not it's required by the Quran, many observant Muslim women wear head scarves to cover their hair as an act of modesty. If their families keep them out of school because of the ban, then they will be denied an education. And if the penalty for wearing a head scarf is expulsion, then, again, they will be denied an education.

Among the worst things the Taliban did to Afghan females was to exclude them from the schools. Whether it's through a head scarf ban or something else, France would essentially be doing the same.

Education is absolutely key to bridging the gulf between Islam and the West. So why come up with a rule that takes Muslim girls out of school?