This is exactly why we shouldn’t be praising France when they ban Muslim headscarves (or, as earlier this week, ban Muslim demonstrations). The French do not do these things to inhibit radical Islam, but rather to promote secularism and restrict religious freedoms - hardly a cause worth celebrating or praising.
In France, Secularism or l’État Laïc” is the goal. Remove all religion, Christianity and Judaism in particular, is the way. Islam? Somehow they don’t see the real clash of civilizations and the danger it presents to the “ French way of life” they cherish.
This is 2012, very far removed from “Douce France” of Charles Trenet.