Bride told to take off veil

A COUPLE are seeking €50,000 compensation after the wife was made to take off her Islamic head covering during their wedding ceremony.

According to the couple’s lawyer, the deputy mayor for Lyon’s 9th arrondissement, Fatiha Ben Ahmed, who asked for the garment to be removed, acted illegally. He said the official carrying out the marriage must be able to check the couple’s identity, but the head covering – which was over the woman’s hair, not face – was no barrier to that.

“Nassima A” and her husband Messauoud are demanding compensation, or say they will otherwise seek a settlement through the administrative courts.

The mayor of Lyon, Gérard Collomb, has said he is ready to discuss the matter with the couple, adding “perhaps our councillor could have acted with a bit more sensitivity”. The couple’s lawyer said they may accept a simple apology.

Ms Benahmed said after the ceremony she did it to defend “women’s freedom”.

She was supported by the prefect of the Rhône, Jen-François Carenco, who wrote to say he “hailed the initiative” she had taken and offered his “support for this republican attitude”.

Photo: www.flickr.com/Ranoush