Muslim woman denied citizenship over views

PARIS, July 12 (UPI) -- France has refused to grant citizenship to a Moroccan woman because of her conservative interpretation of Islam, papers show.

Officials said the woman's religious beliefs are incompatible with French values, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

The unnamed 32-year-old woman is married to a French national. She arrived in the country in 2000. Her three children were born in France, the newspaper reported.

Social service reports say they woman wears a black burqa that covers all her body except her eyes and lives in "total submission" to her husband and male relatives.

"She has adopted a radical practice of her religion, incompatible with essential values of the French community, particularly the principle of equality of the sexes," said a ruling by the Council of State, which hears immigration appeals.

The woman's application for French nationality was first rejected in 2005 on grounds of "insufficient assimilation." She appealed to the Council of State, which last month affirmed the decision.