The proposal, which calls for a ban of the veils in hospitals and schools, falls short of an outright ban after critics argued that such a move would be divisive and possibly unconstitutional in a country where Islam is the second-largest religion. A poll by the IPSOS firm published in this week’s newsweekly Le Point suggests that a majority of French – 57 per cent of the 960 adults questioned – favour a total ban on the face-covering veil. Only 37 per cent would oppose such a move.

The panel’s report, to be released on Tuesday, is the culmination of a six-month inquiry into why a tiny minority of Muslim women wear such veils and the implications for France.

The work began after President Nicolas Sarkozy announced in June that such garb was “not welcome” on French territory. Mr Sarkozy has since pulled back from committing himself to a full ban.

Such dress is considered by many as a gateway to extremism. However, it also is widely seen as an insult to gender equality and an offence to France’s secular foundations.

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