GETTY French PM Manuel Valls has controversially called for banning headscarves from universities

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Manuel Valls' controversial suggestion came as he claimed France believed Islam was incompatible with French values. He said: "I would like us to be able to demonstrate that Islam, a great world religion and the second religion of France, is fundamentally compatible with the Republic, democracy, our values and equality between men and women. "Certain people don’t want to believe it, a majority of French citizens doubt it, but I’m convinced that it’s possible."

GETTY Manuel Valls said most people felt France was incompatible with Islamic values

GETTY Niqabs are already banned in all public places in France

His comments sparked a fresh war of words between campaigners for religious freedom and those who believe the veil should be banned. Health minister Thierry Mandon said: "There is no need for a law on the headscarf at university. Students have every right to wear a headscarf. The headscarf is not banned in French society." Education minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said: "Our universities also have a lot of foreign students. Are we going to ban them access because in their culture there’s a certain type of clothing?” Last month the French women's minister Laurence Rossignol compared headscarves to "negroes who accepted slavery".

France has a long and controversial history of banning religious clothing. In 2004, Muslim headscarves, along with other religious symbols such as crosses or turbans, were banned in state schools. Five years ago, the niqab, a full-face veil, was completely banned in all public places in the country. State workers are also banned from showing any religious beliefs while working.

GETTY Headscarves, as worn by pictured Iranian students, are banned in public schools in French