In the Middle East, the largest population of men and women is Muslim. The Muslim religion suggests that women wear a veil or hijab, which is a veil that exposes only the woman's eyes, accompanied by a burqa which is a cloak that covers the entire body. The sole purpose of clothing is to hide a woman's feminine features from the eyes of men. The Quran, an Islamic scripture, supports and slightly mandates uniformity by saying that women must be conservative: "Let them wear the headdress on their breasts and not show their ornaments." (Koran). Muslim women, instead of feeling oppressed, see this as a positive aspect in their lives, influenced by their devotion to Allah. Their acceptance may be influenced by their geographic location. However, when Muslim women are withdrawn from the Middle East and placed in other countries such as France, they become a minority group, “one tenth of the population is Muslim” (France has the largest number of Muslim inhabitants in Western Europe). to be exact, and they attract attention for their uncommon costumes. The wearing of religious uniform by Muslim women in France has become a controversial topic. The burqa and veil were recognized in France as a uniform in conflict with the French way of “preserving the republic and its democratic and secular tradition” (Graff). They addressed the issue by intervening in school systems for the first time in 2004. That year, the Secularity Law was passed with 276 votes in favor and 20 against. It prohibits the wearing of Muslim hijabs, Sikh headdresses, large Christian crosses or crucifixes, yarmulkes, etc” (RELIGIOUS CONFLICT AND INTOLERANCE NEWS) in public schools. Additionally, in 2011, France banned the complete public use of...... middle of paper...... February 1, 2004. Web. November 23, 2011.Harper, Ben. “Veiled Threats: Secularism and Religious Freedom in France.” Studentfreepress.net. Student Free Press Association, September 15, 2010. Web. December 4, 2011."NEWS OF RELIGIOUS CONFLICT AND INTOLERANCE - 2004-July." Religioustolerance.org. July 2004. Web. 08 December 2011. .Papas, Voula. "Islam and women's rights | Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc." Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc | Founded in 1970. Web. 11 December 2011."Religious freedom". Auburn University. Network. 13 December 2011. "Society2; Religion in France; Beliefs; Secularism (laicité)." The Franco-American site; Intercultural; Advice for Americans about France and Paris; France and the French. Network. November 23, 2011."Why dress codes and why now?" Coordination center on educational policy and management. Network. December 13. 2011.