A Paris-based Moroccan journalist is taking a stand against French regulation that restricts women from wearing religious head coverings in their press ID card photos.
Manal Fkihi, a 25-year-old Moroccan journalist who wears the hijab, announced on Friday her appeal against the rule after her application for a press card was rejected.
Fkihi’s case highlights the ongoing debate in France about religious expression and secularism. The country has a strict policy of Laïcité, which enforces the separation of church and state.
This principle has led to regulations banning religious symbols in public schools and government buildings.
The press card commission, known as the CCIJP, justifies its decision by referencing the similarity between press card photos and passport photos.
France, unlike some countries such as Britain, prohibits head coverings in passport photos, citing security concerns.
The CCIJP argues that maintaining consistency with passport photo standards strengthens security measures.
However, Fkihi and her lawyer, Slim Ben Achour, disagree. They contend that the press card functions as a professional identification document rather than a standard ID.
They said that the current rule discriminates against journalists who choose to wear religious garments and hinders Fkihi’s ability to perform her job effectively.
Fkihi states that the lack of a press card creates significant challenges for her work. She finds it difficult to report on events like protests and secure freelance contracts without proper identification.
The journalist views her appeal as a crucial step towards ensuring equal opportunities for veiled women in the journalism profession.
“It is important to accept us as we are,the appeal is a first step to combat the marginalisation of veiled women in the profession,” the 25-year-old journalist told Reuters
Fkihi’s case will be heard first by the CCIJP. If her appeal is denied, she plans to take the matter to the administrative court.
The outcome of this case could have wider implications for the ongoing conversation regarding religious expression and secularism in France.
