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France Denies Muslim Woman Citizenship Because of Her Non-French Values

By Howard M. Friedman

Last month, France's Council of State issued a decision upholding the denial of French citizenship to a Muslim woman because of her fundamentalist religious practices. The Council, France?s highest administrative tribunal, said that Faiza Maabchour?s lifestyle is "not compatible with the essential values of the French community, notably the principle of gender equality." The 32-year old woman covers herself from head to toe in a burqa. Social service reports say she lives in "total submission" to her husband. Apparently she is the first person denied French citizenship on the grounds of cultural behavior. Lengthy reports on the case are carried today by UAE's The National, Britain's Guardian, and the Wall Street Journal.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on July 12, 2008 (boomark / email).