France is home to Europe’s largest Muslim population. France’s Muslim community of 5 million is the largest in Western Europe. Fewer than 2,000 women are estimated to actually wear the burqa or niqab in France. The law banning face-hiding Islamic burqas and niqabs came into effect on April, 2011. Parliament passed the ban last year with overwhelming support - only one member of the senate voted against it - making France the first country in the West to do so. Fewer than 2,000 women are estimated to actually wear the burqa or niqab in France.