France Link

Dozens of girls defy 'abaya' ban in French schools

As French schools returned for the new academic year this week, the education authorities said almost 300 girls nationwide turned up for classes on Monday wearing the abaya, a loose-fitting, full-length robe worn by some Muslim women, despite a new ban on the garment as part of the country's secularist rules prohibiting the wearing of ostentious religious dress or insignia.