French President Emmanuel Macron's political party has announced plans to ban minors under 15 from wearing the Muslim headscarf in public spaces.
The Renaissance party said the hijab "seriously undermines gender equality and the protection of children".
The proposal comes as Macron's government held a security meeting on Wednesday to discuss the spread of "political Islamism" in France.
The party also wants to introduce a "criminal offence for coercion against parents who force their underage daughters to wear the veil".
French President Emmanuel Macron's political party has announced plans to ban minors under 15 from wearing the Muslim headscarf in public spaces (stock images)
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The security meeting, which included the head of government and key ministers, addressed a report on the Muslim Brotherhood that warns the Islamist movement poses "a threat to national cohesion" in France.
After the meeting, the Elysee Palace said measures will be taken, with some to be announced while others remain classified.
The report, commissioned by the government and prepared by two senior civil servants, "clearly establishes the anti-republican and subversive nature of the Muslim Brotherhood" and "proposes ways to address this threat".
Renaissance is a minority force in the French parliament and works in a minority government alongside a traditional right-wing party.
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Macron's government held a security meeting on Wednesday to discuss the spread of 'political Islamism' in France
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Under current French legislation, civil servants, teachers and pupils cannot wear any obvious religious symbols such as a Christian cross, Jewish kippa, Sikh turban or Muslim hijab in government buildings, including public schools.
Critics have condemned what they call the rise of Islamophobia in France.
Hard-left firebrand, Jean-Luc Melenchon said on X: "Islamophobia has crossed a line."
Meanwhile, hard-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of inaction, saying she has long proposed measures to "eradicate Islamist fundamentalism".
France's authorities are eager to prevent any spread of extremist Islamist ideas following a string of deadly jihadist attacks in the country
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France's authorities are eager to prevent any spread of extremist Islamist ideas following a string of deadly jihadist attacks in the country.
The Federation of Muslims of France has denounced "unfounded accusations" and warned against "dangerous" conflation between Islam and radicalism.
The organisation said: "Even unintentional conflations between Islam, political Islamism and radicalism are not only dangerous but counterproductive for the Republic itself."
In 2023, France banned pupils in public schools from wearing the abaya, a loose-fitting garment worn by Muslim women.
France and Germany have the largest Muslim populations among European Union countries.
