A Muslim Frenchman at the center of a firestorm over polygamy says keeping mistresses is the French way of life.

The man's case came to light after his wife was fined for driving with a veil covering her face, and his comments are an ironic riposte to those in French President Nicolas Sarkozy's government who want to push immigrants to better integrate into French society.

The 31-year-old Frenchwoman drew nationwide attention last week to a driving fine she received for apparel that hinders her vision. But it soon emerged that her husband may have four wives  although it was doubtful the marriages were made official under French law.

The situation appeared to be a boon to Sarkozy, who is trying to rush through controversial legislation forbidding burqa-style Islamic veils that cover the face, on the grounds that they don't respect French values or women's dignity. But it has stoked debate and may backfire on legal grounds.

The president of the French parliament's lower chamber, Bernard Accoyer, said Monday the text of the bill to ban full Muslim veils would be presented at a Cabinet meeting on May 19.

Many Muslims fear a law banning face-covering veils because they say targeting the tiny minority of women who cover their faces stigmatizes France's entire Muslim community - at an estimated 5 million people, the largest in western Europe. The head of the main Muslim grouping, Mohamed Moussaoui, reiterated that message Monday after a meeting with Prime Minister Francois Fillon. He noted that shots fired over the weekend at a mosque in southern France failed to garner the attention given to the veil affair.

Those who want a full ban on such veils contend the garment conceals more than the face, notably helping to perpetuate practices like polygamy, approved in some Muslim countries, and is a signpost of a radical interpretation of Islam.

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