French-Muslim Reactions to the Law Banning Religious Symbols in Schools: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Abstract This study is a mixed methods analysis of how French-Muslims respond to a French law banning the wearing of religious symbols in French public schools. In summer 2007, 356 French-Muslims were surveyed, and 20 of those Muslims were interviewed for this analysis. The statistical analysis reveals religiosity to be a significant predictor of French-Muslims' negative sentiment toward la Loi 2004-228, the ban on the wearing of religious symbols in French public schools. In the interviews, French-Muslims express how they perceive la Loi 2004-228 as stifling Islamic religious identity and freedom, and leading to religious and political struggles in France. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the current situation in France represents a struggle over assimilation and how the issue of and controversy over Muslim immigration has spread throughout the European Union. Keywords: Cultural Adaptation/AssimilationIdentity NegotiationReligiosityIslamFrance Additional informationNotes on contributorsStephen M. Croucher Stephen M. Croucher (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2006) is an Assistant Professor of Interpersonal Communication at Bowling Green State University