PARIS, August 30 (IslamOnline.net) - Expressing resentment over their 'hijab ban' is exploited, French hijab-clad women urged the release of two compatriots being held hostage in Iraq by a group asking France to remove a ban on Hijab, saying they would take to streets for mass rallies across the country.

A number of Muslim groups are to join the rallies, expected to dot the country to dissuade the kidnappers from harming the two journalists.

A film of the two men was broadcast Saturday, August by Arabic TV Al-Jazeera. It said the kidnappers wanted France to reverse the ban on hijab within 48 hours.

However, the group failed to say what would happen when the deadline ends on Monday night, amid fears the two hostages could face execution as was the fate of other westerners abducted in the turbulent country.

The French Parliament speaker called for a mass solidarity rally at Concorde Square at 7 p.m.

Muslim figures, meanwhile, asked the five-million Muslim community to join forces in another rally outside the national TV headquarters.

Chairman of the French Council for the Muslim Religion (CFCM) Dalil Boubakeur urged staging another rally in the Paris Mosque to pray for the release of the two detainees.

"The Muslim community must set itself apart from these schemes that are reprehensible in the eyes of Islam and give no indication that these people are acting in their interest," he said.

Rachida Manal, a 28-year-old hijab-clad member of Union of French Islamic Organizations’ (UOIF) Women Wing, shared fury over the kidnapping.

"We feel that our case was manipulated by the kidnappers," Manal told IslamOnline.net. Thousands of French women had protested against the hijab ban in public schools, due to come into force in September.

"The message to the kidnappers is they have to consider interests of five million Muslims in France, which would be greatly affected if the two journalists were harmed," she added.

The UOIF Women Wing said they would join the Monday rallies in a fresh sign of solidarity with the government.

"We will take part in these rallies out of our sincere desire and loyalty to our country," said a member of the wing - much to ensure that patriotism of French Muslim citizens is not in question.

But she called on Paris not to go too far in strictly applying the hijab ban law, as Muslim girls are expected to wear the dress code on their way to school despite the measure.

France has vowed it will not bow to the kidnappers' demands, saying the law will come into action as scheduled for the next academic year in September.

Other French women fear they would bear the brunt if the two journalists were put into harm’s way.

"Fears are that people could held women wearing hijab in metro stations, for example, accountable for what would happen to the two abductees," said Horiya Belayesh, an activist.

Ilham, a 20-year-old student of Eastern Languages Institute in Paris, had participated in anti-hijab ban law march to Bastille Square on December 21, 2003.

But she said she will also show up for the Monday rally in Paris Mosque to pray for the release of the kidnapped journalists.

The ban, which is due to come into effect when students return to school next week, became law in March after months of acrimonious debate.

The law forbids religious apparel and "conspicuous" signs that show a student's religious affiliation. Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses are also forbidden.

Meanwhile, France has launched a flurry of diplomatic activity to press for the release of the two journalists.

French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said that a top ministry official had been sent to Baghdad Monday. Barnier made the announcement at a press conference in Egypt as he issued a solemn appeal for the release of the two men.

Chesnot of Radio France and Malbrunot of Le Figaro newspaper disappeared in Iraq on August 20, the day they were to have left Baghdad for the Shiite holy city of Najaf, then the scene of fierce fighting between US forces and Shiite militia loyal to Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr.

In Paris, the foreign ministry said its outgoing secretary general, Hubert Colin de Verdi, just named ambassador to Algeria, had arrived in the Iraqi capital to boost the French embassy in the Iraqi capital.

Barnier said he would be accompanied by a number of other senior officials, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

He hinted that he himself would also visit other regional capitals but gave no details. Barnier was due to have talks in Cairo with the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa.

"These two journalists are doing their job in Iraq to explain to the world, describe the reality of the situation. I call for their release in the name of principles of humanity and respect for the human being which are at the very heart of the message of Islam and the religious practices of Muslims," said the French official.

Barnier added: "Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. It respects human life," and he added that "France ensures the equality and the protection of all religions in the framework of our common law.

"Islam is today the second religion of France and five million Muslims freely practice their religion there. The impartiality of the French republic towards religions is part of our identity."

Barnier insisted that France has always rejected the idea of conflict between Islam and the West. "It defends the justice and dignity of peoples in Iraq, Palestine, the Near and Middle East and everywhere in the world."

In Baghdad, Iraq's main Sunni Muslim religious organization also appealed for the release of the pair.

"In the name of the Muslim Scholars Association, we urge the kidnappers to release the two journalists," said Sheikh Abdessatar Abdelzhawad, a member of the association.