Citizenship

I was reading about this woman in France who applied for citizenship, but was denied because she wears a burqa.

In 2005 her application for French nationality was rejected for “lack of assimilation”. Now the Conseil d’Etat has rejected her appeal on the ground that she “adopted a radical practice of her religion, incompatible with the essential values of the French community, and particularly with the principle of sexual equality.” This is the first time the court has refused nationality on the grounds of religious expression. The court heard that the couple followed salafism, a radical form of Islam. The woman adopted the burqa at her husband’s request in France, where she “lives in total submission to the men in her family”.

Good for France, I say.

Certain countries have stricter rules for nationality than others. In Germany you have to learn the language and live here for eight years.

I consider this the right of the country to choose what is required for citizenship.

It is not as if they are disallowing her to wear her burqa. They just (rightly) say that wearing a burqa is counter to the values and equality of women in France, so she does not pass the requirements for citizenship.

What do you think? Is it right for France to deny this woman citizenship because of her burqa?