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French Ban on Religious Symbols in Schools

Sikhs in France Plan New School to Combat Turban Ban

May 30, 2008

Author: Sanjay Suri

Source: Sikh Network/IBN Live

http://www.sikhnet.com/daily-news/sikhs-france-plan-new-school-combat-turban-ban

Paris: The French ban on turbans for Sikh boys at school has brought extraordinary problems for parents and extraordinary solutions.

When Sikh boys play on the streets of Paris, their parents can worry in more ways than one.Because they never know when it could become all play and no...

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Muslim School Receives High Scores

July 13, 2006

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2006-07/09/04.shtml

On July 13, 2006 IslamOnline.net reported, "The first batch to graduate from France's sole Muslim secondary school has scored impressive final results, with hijab-clad students topping the chart. 'Success rate reached more than 75 percent, thank God,' Ammar Al-Asfar, the principal of Ibn Rushd school, told IslamOnline.net on Sunday, July 8. Of the 20 alumni, fifteen male and...

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Parisian Sikhs Fundraising to Open Khalsa College

May 8, 2006

Source: SikhNet/The Tribune

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/news.nsf/NewsArchive/EE656F70AEFEA862872571680063AD76

On May 8, 2006 The Tribune reported, "With the French government refusing to allow Sikh students to wear turbans in government-run schools, a group of Sikhs settled in the country are on a missionary visit to India to raise funds for setting up International Khalsa College for such students near Paris. The General Secretary,...

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Book Explores Sikh Contributions in Europe During WWI and WWII

May 5, 2006

Source: SikhNet/The Tribune

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/news.nsf/NewsArchive/3B5E4F6B89DB51CD872571650061332F

On May 5, 2006 The Tribune reported, "Amritsar-born and Holland-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) leader, Mr Bhupinder Singh, has done documentation of the Sikhs who had made supreme sacrifices in Europe, including France and Belgium, during World War I. His documentation is titled — 'How Europe is indebted to...

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EU Leaders Promise to Take Up Turban Issue With France

April 22, 2006

Source: Rediff

Wire Service: PTI

http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/apr/22sikh.htm

On April 22, 2006 the Press Trust of India reported, "A visiting European Union team Friday promised the Sikh community that it would try to impress upon France the 'cultural' sentiments attached with the turban and ask them to lift the ban on wearing it in schools. A nine-member Parliamentary delegation led by Ludhiana-born EU legislator Neena Gill had met...

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Delegation of French Sikhs Asks Indian PM to Intervene in School Turban Issue

April 8, 2006

Source: The Indian Express

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=177220

On April 8, 2006 The Indian Express reported, "The children of thousands of Sikh families living in France are being deprived of their right to education as the Sikh students are not allowed to wear turbans in schools and other educational institutes of France.

This was reveled by a delegation of Sikhs, who are currently presiding in France, came to attend conference...

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Chirac: Sikh Students May Be Allowed to Wear Patkas Instead of Turbans

February 21, 2006

Source: Sify

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14146206

On February 21, 2006 Sify reported, "French President Jacques Chirac has said his country may allow Sikh students to wear 'patka' (scarf) instead of turban' in educational institutions and added their sentiments would be respected. The French President gave an assurance to this effect to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani who called on him in New Delhi on Monday. Briefing newspersons, BJP...

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In New Delhi, Children’s "Turban March" Greets Visiting French President

February 20, 2006

Source: DNA

Wire Service: AFP

http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1013926

On February 20, 2006 Agence France-Presse reported, "Scores of Sikh schoolchildren staged a "turban" march in New Delhi on Monday to demand that visiting French President Jacques Chirac lift a ban on wearing turbans in French state schools. Waving placards declaring the 'Turban is the pride of Sikhs' and 'Restore Sikh dignity,' the boys with brightly coloured...

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