Headscarves enter French election fray as Muslim women confront Le Pen, Macron

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is confronted by a veiled woman in a market in Pertuis, southern France, on April 15, 2022. © Daniel Cole, AP

Muslim headscarves took centre stage in France’s presidential campaign on Friday as both finalists in a tightly contested April 24 run-off were confronted by women in headscarves who asked why their clothing choices should be caught up in politics.

France is home to western Europe's largest Muslim population and many Muslims feel the presidential campaign has unfairly stigmatized their faith.