Source: The Scotsman

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2393293

On January 10, 2004 The Scotsman reported, "Supporting proposals in neighbouring France to outlaw Islamic headscarves in public schools, Belgium’s Interior Minister Patrick Dewael said today he favoured imposing a similar ban in Belgium. Dewael suggested the wearing of religious symbols should not be permitted in government institutions, including schools and courts. 'The government should remain neutral ... so there should be no visible use of religious symbols or veils for police officers, judges, clerks or teachers in public schools,' Dewael wrote in Belgian daily De Morgen. 'It is also clear that students in public schools should not wear veils or other religious symbols.'"