Currently, the issues of curbing Islamic visibility and assertion have acquired a political dimension in France under President Nicolas Sarkozy since the nation has the largest Muslim population in Europe. While imposing the ban on mid-day Muslim street prayers, the French government issued the warning that the prayers in the street were unacceptable for being against the precept of secularism and the  violators will be punished severely. In the Muslim populated localities of Paris on this Friday, Muslims flocked in the mosques and other enclosed spaces for their mid-day prayer.

Conservatives and liberals have different views on this subject. Some say that symbols of religion should not be in public display and should be limited to a place of worship or home. Others say that public display of religious rituals is part of modern democracy.