France's interior minister, Claude Gueant, is facing legal action after maintaining that the "growing" number of Muslims in France was "a problem". "It's true that the increase in the number of faithful in (Islam), a certain number of behaviours, poses a problem," Gueant said on Monday.
Singling out the "problem" of Muslims
The proposals discussed included not allowing Muslim mothers to wear headscarves when attending school field trips, and banning parents from taking their children out of compulsory subjects like gym and biology.
UMP leader Jean-Francois Copé said the debate was not an attempt to woo National Front voters. "They denounce (Muslim practices). We are making proposals" to relieve social tensions, he said.
Gueant's predecessor Brice Hortefeux was also charged with racism after being recorded on camera saying of Muslims: "When there's one that's OK, it's when there are several that it becomes problematic."
The dispute came as the ruling UMP party held a controversial debate on Islam and secularism in France. There were 26 proposals made, including consideration of a law banning people from rejecting doctors because of their sex or religion.
Muslim leaders refused to participate. Fouad Alaoui, president of the Union of Islamic Organisations in France, said Guéants remarks "show once again that the logic of the National Front is taking over."