[Piranha]

I don't think that France is facing the issue squarely either. Banning the headscarf in hospitals, schools and public buildings will do nothing but sweep the problem under the rug and make the situation even worse.

People with the same Islamic biases still will march on behalf of intolerance, political relationships with dictatorial Islamic regimes and anti-Americanism; only now, it will be harder to figure out whether the people pushing for these policies are Moselm immigrants (or their descendents) or people of traditional French ancestry.

[Gritty]

...sweep(ing) the problem under the rug and make the situation even worse.

For sure. But, this is a first step moving directly against the Islam religion in France and not sweeping it under the rug any more.

IMHO, the Muslims aren't going to put up with this step. That will force France into another. It will escalate. Eventually one or the other will back off or there will be violent confrontation.

My bet is on eventual violent confrontation, a lesson which will not be lost on the rest of Europe looking inward at their own Muslim populations.