French Court Keeps Passport Block on Algerian Woman Who Refused Handshakes
When Faith Meets French Bureaucracy
Picture this: a southeastern French town, a sunny June 2016 ceremony, and one woman who refuses to say what officiants might consider a “simple handshake.” Instead, she chooses quiet firmness rooted in her religious beliefs. Her refusal sparks a courtroom saga that’s almost cinematic.
- The Stand – She declined to shake hands with the senior official leading the citizenship ceremony.
- Extra Twist – She also turned down a local politician’s hand, claiming her faith wouldn’t allow it.
- Legal Rumble – The French government argued that her actions showed she was “not assimilated into the French community,” a clause they can cite to block citizenship for a spouse of a French national.
- Family Ties – Married to her French husband since 2010, she sought citizenship in 2017.
- Appeal & Verdict – She called the decision an “abuse of power,” but the highest administrative court, the Council of State, upheld the law’s application.
What This Means for Passport Rules
In short, the court says: no handshakes, no passport. The French civil code still holds a hammer for those who feel “not assimilated.” The ruling leaves many wondering whether honoring cultural boundaries can survive under the weight of national identity laws.
