I've always wondered why muslim men are so insecure of themselves that they find it necessary to imprison their women in such a fashion. Judging by the way they act I would have thought them more courageous than that...

Lily, London, UK

Women are not just born a pair of eyes. The visual is very much a part of human life and all life for that matter, in all aspects of communication (between two people or a group). If I was a muslim man I would find it insulting women having to look like that otherwise I couldn't control myself.

Joshua, Manchester, England

Here's a thought: I won't have sex in public in a muslim country and you won't wear a niqab or burkha in mine. I will not attempt to procure or drink alcohol in your country and you will not attempt to practice segregation in mine. When in Rome (or Paris..)

Isadora, London,

Women who wear hijabs and burkas intimidate me as much as men in hoodies and masks! In these violent times people should not be hiding their faces. A. Stone, Norwich UK

Anna Stone, Norwich, UK

welldone france. Let's hope that Britain might do the same thing. Afterall, if I were to go to an Arab country I would have to dress in Islamic dress... so whats good for the goose...

Gillian, Dundee,

What a refreshing attitude - it's time Britain sits up and takes notice if we want to avoid becoming a Sharia state

Wendy, Loughborough,

I agree with this idea that people looking to become citizens of a country should integrate into the country. Rather that have the country integrate around them.

Jacob, Trona, United States

Jay, I applaude the freedom that allows this woman to wear what she likes in the West. After all its a freedom we aren't allowed to show in the Middle East. Somebody explain why the Christian religion isn't allowed in Saudi Arabia?. Again i applaude the freedoms allowed in the west. Well done France

kirk, Rotherham, UK

France is neither Saudi Arabia, nor Afghanistan. No citizenship for burkas, tchadors and so on. Sexy girls welcome ! We have Dior, Chanel, Lacroix and Lagerfeld able to offer suitable dressing to ladies from worldwide...

Jutharat, Bangkok, Thailand

Multiculturalism is a failed and discredited social experiment, maybe we in the UK should adopt the same self confident approach as the French .

Eric Muldownie, London,

I am a Muslimah living in the Middle East and agree 100% with the French government's decision. Here in Kuwait, the Salafist MPs would love to force women into niqabs and subservience to men and drag us back to the 10th century - they don't represent me or my faith and I am sick of them!

Rachida, Salwa, Kuwait

i am a white catholic and i think the hijab is actually quite stylish (though i don't think woman should be forced to wear anything) and see no issue with it. the burka and niqab on the other hand are a crime against woman and no western country should allow them. europe is NOT a muslim territory.

Alex, london, england

Well done!

Women that are completely covered up initmidate me. They look scary. And very unapproachable.

Jennie, Sydney, Australia

yeh, well done M Wilson, Billoo Bhai and the others with their "kind words"...
I know, lets ban jewish clothes, sikhs walking around with swords....aaah i forgot about the nuns...oh sorry they are pious and respected...my fault....i forgot, it must be the fanatical muslims we hate! Shame on you.

norman, London, UK

The American Declaration of Independence predates the French Declaration of the Rights of Man

Georgina Giles, Windsor, Canada

It is about time we had a similar law in this country. Secularity needs to be defended and Muslims must learn to respect it.

Paul, Coventry,

Excellent. I wish NuLab apparatchiks had the guts to do something similar. If western women go to Saudi they have to dress in the Saudi manner. What's good for the goose....

Tony, Newark,

keep 'em coming muslim bashers. the more the merrier. don't let your ignorence stop you from commenting on something you don't understand.

jay, manchester, uk

I greatly admire France for taking a stance against this medieval form of vassal-ship, wherein women are kept as virtual prisoners of their 'lords and masters' or husbands. The US should take note... There are too many trends in America today which mirror this sort of social fascism.

Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/US

A very sensible judgement. Most importantly the UK should note that it is NOT in conflict with European Human Rights Law!

andy, London,

Jonathon Carter :
Are you suggesting that judaism in the 1930's was on the same position than islam fundamentalism today ?

Franck, Brussel,

This appears to be the same predatory praying which the facists and nazi's did with the jewish people, claiming that they could not integrate. It's a shame we are turning back time and facism is coming back.

Jonathon Carter, Reading, United Kingdom

So no burkas and no crucifixes in school either. At last, both Muslims and Christians are being made to 'render unto Caesar' as instructed to by their Prophet/Messiah Jesus rather than indulged. I congratulate the secular French Republic for being the closest thing to a Christian country on Earth!

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

Can anyone imagine the same situation happening in Britain? Im sure the case would be referred to the European Court of Human Rights as an infringement on an individuals right to follow their religion. Another example of the same EU laws being 'interpreted' differently to suit national interests??

Rich, Bristol, England

It is good to see the French finally speaking up and demand that "their" rich culture be respected in "their own country". As an American I am aware that much of our ideas of Freedom and individual rights have come from France. And since when did China allow their citizens dicuss human rights? Hmmm?

Ed, Atlanta, US

Magnifique France. This is a decision that benefits both the general French population and moderate Muslims in France, who would have been unjustly labelled as 'trouble-makers'.
It's about time we in the UK stood up to oppresive practices such as these that drive a wedge between society.

Allan, London,

A very good decision on the part of France.But will it hold up?

ron, toronto,

Not for the first time I wished I lived in France.
No monarchy
No pandering to religion
No problem!!!

Polly , Suffolk, UK

Good common sense as far as I'm concerned. We should route out many more of these unacceptable practices that degrade women with in Muslim population.

D Case, Newquay,

Quite right, we should adopt similar policies in the UK.

Michael O'Hanlon, London, UK

Typical French , if it had happened some other country they would champion the cause argue human rights freedom etc.But when it comes their country things change . By the way there is no recognition of Burka being the requirment for Muslim women in Koran .

Huseyin Kavrak, Shanghai, China

Reported to day in Brisbane , A Muslim Taxi driver refused carriage to a blind man and his dog because dogs are un clean
At least we have not got to the Muslim only swimming days. Yet..

wilma, brisbane, Australia

Who would have thought the French of all people would start making sensible decisions?!
I love the fact that they gave a reason of 'failure to integrate' - more countries need to adopt this phrase into the migration laws.

Rupert Horry, Sydney, Aus

Good decision. In fact radical Muslims who wear such attire and behave differently should not be allowed to settle in the UK as well. Radical muslims do not reform their behaviour or ideology even in their land of birth as we have witnessed all over the world.

Billoo Bhai , London, UK

It should be abolished world wide. Well done France.

M Wilson, Bidache, france