Fkihi, a Paris-based Moroccan journalist, is challenging a rule prohibiting women from wearing head coverings in photos used on French press identification cards

Location: France, Paris
Date: May 30, 2024

Women Press Freedom expresses steadfast solidarity with Manal Fkihi, a Moroccan journalist based in Paris, whose press card application was unjustly denied by the Commission de la Carte d'Identité des Journalistes Professionnels (CCIJP) due to her choice to wear a hijab in her identification photo. This prejudicial decision reflects a broader issue of discrimination against veiled women within the French media industry. The CCIJP's adherence to passport photo standards, which prohibit head coverings, is a regressive policy that fails to recognize the distinction between professional and personal identification. A press card is fundamentally a professional document and should not be subjected to the same restrictive standards. We denounce the rejection of her application and call on CCIJP to address this issue promptly, ensuring it does not obstruct her important work.

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Authorities in France have denied a press card application from Manal Fkihi, a Paris-based Moroccan journalist, for wearing a hijab in her identification photo. The rejection came from the Commission de la Carte d'Identité des Journalistes Professionnels (CCIJP), which stipulates that ID photos must adhere to the same standards as passport photos. In France, head coverings are not permitted in passport photos for any reason, including religious ones. 

Fkihi intends to appeal the discriminatory rule of the CCIJP, emphasizing that a press card serves as a professional document, not personal identification, as highlighted by her lawyer, Slim Ben Achour. In the event of an unsuccessful appeal, Fkihi will take her case to the administrative court.

The 25-year-old journalist told Reuters, "It is important to accept us as we are," adding that her appeal is an initial step towards combating the professional marginalization of veiled women.

The CCIJP, while independent, carries out its tasks for the state and thus adheres to the same standards as official documents. The organization maintains that following the passport photo format is essential for security purposes.

France, home to one of Europe's largest Muslim populations, has laws in place to uphold the principle of secularism. However, some rights groups argue that these laws disproportionately target the Muslim community. 

While religious symbols and clothing are banned for state employees and school students, no national legislation applies to non-state workers. Nevertheless, certain organizations, including the National Bar Association and media groups Radio France and France Media Monde, have implemented their own regulations on the matter.

Women Press Freedom unequivocally supports Manal Fkihi in challenging the requirement to refrain from wearing a hijab on professional identification cards. We denounce all forms of exclusion that impede journalists from fulfilling their professional responsibilities. We urge the CCIJP to review their decision and promptly approve the journalist's press card application without any additional delays.

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