PARIS (AFP) — The French National Assembly agreed on Tuesday to set up a fact-finding inquiry into the number of Muslim women who wear the burka, after President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke out against the full Islamic veil.
Sarkozy said the burka was "not a sign of religious faith" but a sign of women's "subservience" that is "not welcome" in France.
The lower house of parliament was responding to a call from a group of lawmakers, many of whom are from Sarkozy's right-wing UMP party, for a panel to look at ways of restricting the wearing of the burka.
Speaker Bernard Accoyer said 32 lawmakers from right-wing and leftist parties will be examining the thorny issue for six months before making recommendations.
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