The author explores the promulgation of discriminatory legislation in France, which leads to a public uproar and debates on questions pertaining to Islam, religious identity and laïcité or secularism. Topics discussed include a speech by French President Nicolas Sarkozy about the burqa on June 22, 2009, the implementation of the law prohibiting the use of face-concealing garments, and the principle of laïcité as a feature of the French society.