American Muslim Woman Denied Visa Over Refusal to Remove Headscarf for Photo

May 7, 2004

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2554668

On May 7, 2004 The Houston Chronicle reported, "As a devout Muslim and international businesswoman, Nashida Subhi has worn her head scarf into corporate offices around the world. But now she has learned she will no longer be welcome in France unless she takes her scarf off for a photograph. The French Consulate in Houston recently denied Subhi's request for a visa to visit the country on business, she said. Subhi was told that French regulations require her to bare her head for an identifying photograph -- something she is not willing to do. A representative of the French Consulate could not be reached for comment Thursday evening. But the consulate told the Associated Press French law forbids anyone from wearing anything that obscures the view of the head in a visa photo."