Being Muslim in France is difficult – and that underlines that diversity is indeed a nation's strength

Archive photo from 2003 of French women in Paris wearing hijabs and protesting the French government's decision to ban the headscarves in schools, hospitals, and public buildings. — Filepic/AFP

Being a Muslim traveller in a global world is often fraught with uncertainty. I was recently lucky enough to eat in one of those famed and fancy French patisseries on the Champs-Elysees, and savoured a beautiful oversized macaroon of raspberries, lychees, and the "crème aux pétales de rose".

It was a heavenly experience, but my enjoyment was cut short when, while settling the bill, the cashier informed me, "I noticed you had ordered that, but perhaps I should say it contains alcohol".