Algerian woman denied citizenship after refusing to shake French official's hand

An Algerian woman has been refused French citizenship after reportedly refusing to shake hands with an official.

The woman said her “religious beliefs” prevented her from shaking the male official’s hand at the citizenship ceremony.

This led to the French government ruling that she was not “assimilated into the French community” – despite the fact she is married to a French man – and rejecting her request for citizenship.

She launched an appeal but France’s Court of Appeal rejected her plea.

The woman, who married her husband in 2018, refused to the shale the hand of a senior official and local politician at her citizenship ceremony in 2016, the BBC reported.

She said that due to her Islamic faith she could not shake hands with a male who is not related to her.

Under France’s civil code, authorities can deny citizenship for someone who is "not assimilated", or integrated, into French society. Officials used this reason, saying that her refusal to partake in the gesture proved this.

The Algerian woman called the decision an "abuse of power", but the Council of State has upheld the ruling.