Connection Across Time: Ban on the "Voile Integrale" (Really, France? REALLY?!)

In France, it may soon be illegal for a woman to wear the burqa, an outfit including a face covering veil. Religious symbols are already banned in schools, preventing Muslim girls from wearing even the hijab. Supporters of the this proposed law argue that the veil is a symbol of oppression and indignity. In reality, modesty of dress is to protect one's dignity. Isn't a law preventing someone from dressing how they wish just as oppressive as a law forcing someone to dress a certain way? French women wearing the burqa or similar covering (chador, niqab, hijab) are probably choosing to wear it because they believe that they should. If the French government suspects that women are being forced to wear it, they should pass a law preventing that.
Only a very small percentage of women actually wear the burqa in France, so why does anybody care? Supporters point out that it is a "security issue" because faces cannot be identified by a "total veil" In an Op-Ed in The New York Times, Jean-Francois Cope says "How can you establish a relationship with a person who, by hiding a smile or a glance — those universal signs of our common humanity — refuses to exist in the eyes of others?...the niqab and burqa represent a refusal to exist as a person in the eyes of others. The person who wears one is no longer identifiable; she is a shadow among others, lacking individuality, avoiding responsibility." This is unfair because women choosing to wear the burqa are not necessarily shirking responsibility, they are honestly trying to do what they think is right. Who is the French government to tell them that they are wrong, that they are lacking individuality?
In France, Islam is the second religion (first being Catholicism) and only makes up 10% of the population. Also, France is a very secular nation. I think that the French are slightly afraid of people who are embracing their religion because they cling to their French culture so tightly, they want no outside influence.
During the Age of Imperialism, France was eager to colonize Northern Africa, and they certainly imposed their culture on native peoples. Many Francophone nations are in Africa! Now, after decolonization, when many immigrants come from Algeria, Morocco, and other former colonies, there is a problem with them maintaining part of their culture. Slightly hypocritical, n'est-ce pas?
Also, I think this ban will cause tension with largely Muslim nations in the Middle East, and probably Muslims around the world. I love the French language, the art, the music, the architecture, I'd love to visit, but this attitude makes me angry. A lot of women who wear veils may also feel the same way--they want to visit, to go to the museums in Paris, go shopping (they can still buy designer handbags and shoes, and jewelry, you know!) but if their clothing is banned, they won't come. This injures French tourism and the economy, but maybe not enough to make the French change their minds. I fear that this measure is really going to divide the world, not bring us together.