France’s Council of State has denied citizenship to Faiza Silmi solely on the basis of her religion. She wears a niqab, a facial veil that is worn by some Muslim women.
The court stated that Silmi refused to “assimilate” and that her “radical” beliefs could not coexist with French culture and values. Silmi speaks French fluently, has four French-born children and is married to a French citizen.
In 2004, France banned hijabs, a type of Muslim headscarf, in public schools. French President Sarkozy has put forth new legislation that requires immigrants to be tested on French values before they can come to France.
“They say I wear the niqab because my husband told me so,” she said. “I want to tell them: It is my choice. Yes, I am a practicing Muslim, I am orthodox. But is that not my right?”
