A Paris-based Moroccan journalist Manal Fkihi stated Friday she will appeal the French regulation which prohibits Muslim women from taking press ID card photos in hijabs.

Fkihi moved to France five years ago for her journalism studies. The responsible administrative body rejected Fkihi’s application for a press ID card because the authority stated that the photo requirement for a press ID card is akin to the law on official documents, which puts forward the said prohibition. Fkihi’s attorney said they will appeal the body’s decision. If that turns out to be unsuccessful, they will go to the administrative court.

The Commission de la Carte d’Identité des Journalistes Professionnels, a commission to issue ID cards for professional journalists in France, issued a statement upholding its guidelines and requirements for the ID card of professional journalists. The Commission stated that Article 17 of its interior rulebook provides for such an ID photo requirement. The requirement is necessary because press ID cards allow professional journalists access to sensitive places without any other proof of one’s identity. Thus, the Commission maintained that preserving a strict, clear and objective standard for the ID photo is important to ensure the credibility of the press ID issued and security.

The Commission also added that the granting of an ID card is impartial, without any considerations of political stances, religions or other social concerns. Currently in France, an order dating from February 5 2009 prohibits all headwear in national identification pictures.