PARIS, Jan. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Thousands of Muslim women marched through Paris Saturday against France's plan to ban Islamic headscarves in French public schools as people took to streets across Europe and the Middle East to protest at the move.

    People staged demonstrations in the Middle East, France, Britain, Germany and Sweden Saturday, condemning the bill as an attack on religious freedom.

    French police said up to 10,000 people took part in the march in Paris, while several thousand others rallied in other cities around the country.

    Under the French government's proposed law, Muslim headscarves,Jewish skull caps and large Christian crosses are prohibited to wear in public schools. Last month, French President Jacques Chirac backed the bill, which is to be submitted to the parliament on Feb. 3. Enditem