Nailed it @tommyboyle! While I agree with many of the statements made by others regarding the abuse of power by the state, that is not, in my opinion, the most important factor in this particular case. The French are very conscious of their culture and work diligently to define what that culture is, how it should be practiced, and the penalties for 'cultural' encroachment. Muslims, by religious law, have requirements that are in direct conflict with French customs, law, and cultural norms. It is also important, not to put to fine a point on it, that saying 'sharia law' is to say the same thing twice - a redundancy - the word sharia means law. So we have a conflict that pits a very modern society and culture against a medieval mindset and culture - to be a bit sarcastic; What could go wrong? Stating this as a case of the state against the practice of wearing a particular item of clothing ignores the larger conflict. It is, at the least, somewhat disingenuous​ to attempt to make this case without also making reference to the larger cultural conflict. So, I am not saying that French authorities are approaching this issue correctly, I'm saying that to ignore the larger case invites hypocrisy. Bottom line, Islam needs a reformation. Until that happens it will be in conflict in any country that does not practice sharia.