France begins the process of backing down from its ban on Islamic headscarves (hijab): French Head Scarf Law Allows Some Leeway.

PARIS - France’s public schools will have considerable leeway in applying a new law banning conspicuous religious apparel, a government document said Friday, meaning bandanas favored by some Muslims could be prohibited by some schools but allowed by others.

Bandanas are seen by some Muslims as a substitute for the Islamic head scarves prohibited by the new law, which takes effect in September.

The Education Ministry released a document aimed at guiding schools on how to apply the law, which bans the Jewish skull cap and large Christian crosses but is chiefly aimed at keeping Islamic head scarves out of the classroom.

The document, which could still be changed, is the second of its kind released since last week. The first was roundly criticized by school personnel, who said its ambiguous, imprecise wording could create confusion.