# Pew Forum Hosts Discussion on International Headscarf Controversies April 19, 2004 Source: The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life On April 19, 2004 *The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life* sponsored a panel discussion about the controversy over the headscarf in various international settings. The description of the panel is as follows: "In March 2004, France passed into law a prohibition on wearing Muslim headscarves and other 'overt' religious insignia in public schools. The law has caused a storm of controversy within France and beyond on the rule of religion in public life and on the ability of France, as well as the rest of Europe, to integrate its growing Muslim population. This panel brings together French, American and Muslim experts to assess the effect of 'banning the veil' on the relationship between Church and State, Islam and the West, and America and Europe." The transcript is available online at See also:- [ Advocacy/Government ](/news-stories/advocacygovernment) - [ Civil Liberties/Civil Rights ](/news-stories/civil-libertiescivil-rights) - [ French Ban on Religious Symbols in Schools ](/news-stories/french-ban-religious-symbols-schools) - [ Headscarf Controversies ](/news-stories/headscarf-controversies) - [ Schools ](/news-stories/schools) - [ Islam in Europe ](/news-stories/islam-europe) - [ Religious Freedom ](/news-stories/religious-freedom) - [ Islam ](/religions/islam) - [ International ](/tags/international) - [ Women ](/tags/women) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)