Retired French schoolteacher in 'niqab rage' case
"For me, wearing the veil is an act of aggression; I felt attacked as a woman," she said.
The plaintiff allegedly refused and continued shopping with a friend and two small children.
When Mrs Ruby bumped into her a few minutes later and saw she was still wearing the veil, she allegedly "snapped". Rushing at the woman in black, she tore off her niqab and scratched and slapped her alleged victim.
Mrs Al-Suwaidi claimed her alleged assailant then bit her right hand and cried: "Now I can see your face."
In an interview with Le Parisien before the trial, Mrs Ruby explained: "I find it unacceptable that someone should be wearing a niqab in this country of human rights.
Jeanne Ruby, a retired 63-year-old English teacher told police that she "snapped" when she spied the woman from the United Arab Emirates, whose whole face was covered, in a home furnishings shop in Paris' chic 15th arrondissement.
The case came a week after France's Constitutional Court gave its final seal of approval to a law banning face-covering veils from all public places.
Mrs Ruby, who was not present in court, told police she had began by asking Shaika Al-Suwaidi, 26, to remove the veil because it was "offensive".
"For me, wearing the veil is an act of aggression; I felt attacked as a woman," she said.
The plaintiff allegedly refused and continued shopping with a friend and two small children.
When Mrs Ruby bumped into her a few minutes later and saw she was still wearing the veil, she allegedly "snapped". Rushing at the woman in black, she tore off her niqab and scratched and slapped her alleged victim.
Mrs Al-Suwaidi claimed her alleged assailant then bit her right hand and cried: "Now I can see your face."
In an interview with Le Parisien before the trial, Mrs Ruby explained: "I find it unacceptable that someone should be wearing a niqab in this country of human rights.
"It's no more than a muzzle and all that's missing is the reins. It's the negation of womanhood.
"I've taught in Morocco and Saudi Arabia and I have seen how these women walk three paces behind their husbands."
Mrs Al-Suwaidi's lawyer said her client had suffered "psychological shock" after the incident and had to take two days off work.
"(Mrs Ruby) is the one who had a provocative attitude. This aggression is a breach of religious freedom," he said.
He said that his client, who was not present in court, had left the country in disgust with no intention of returning.
Yesterday [Thu], the prosecution called for a two-month suspended sentence against Mrs Ruby for "aggravated voluntary assault" and a 750-euro (£660) fine. The plaintiff's lawyers demanded a total of 15,000 euros (£13,200) in damages. The trial continues.
France's law banning the burka and other face-covering garments comes into force early next year. It will mean anyone, including Muslim tourists, can now be fined for wearing the garment or ordered to follow a citizenship course. telegraph.co.uk
The plaintiff allegedly refused and continued shopping with a friend and two small children.
When Mrs Ruby bumped into her a few minutes later and saw she was still wearing the veil, she allegedly "snapped". Rushing at the woman in black, she tore off her niqab and scratched and slapped her alleged victim.
Mrs Al-Suwaidi claimed her alleged assailant then bit her right hand and cried: "Now I can see your face."
In an interview with Le Parisien before the trial, Mrs Ruby explained: "I find it unacceptable that someone should be wearing a niqab in this country of human rights.
Jeanne Ruby, a retired 63-year-old English teacher told police that she "snapped" when she spied the woman from the United Arab Emirates, whose whole face was covered, in a home furnishings shop in Paris' chic 15th arrondissement.
The case came a week after France's Constitutional Court gave its final seal of approval to a law banning face-covering veils from all public places.
Mrs Ruby, who was not present in court, told police she had began by asking Shaika Al-Suwaidi, 26, to remove the veil because it was "offensive".
"For me, wearing the veil is an act of aggression; I felt attacked as a woman," she said.
The plaintiff allegedly refused and continued shopping with a friend and two small children.
When Mrs Ruby bumped into her a few minutes later and saw she was still wearing the veil, she allegedly "snapped". Rushing at the woman in black, she tore off her niqab and scratched and slapped her alleged victim.
Mrs Al-Suwaidi claimed her alleged assailant then bit her right hand and cried: "Now I can see your face."
In an interview with Le Parisien before the trial, Mrs Ruby explained: "I find it unacceptable that someone should be wearing a niqab in this country of human rights.
"It's no more than a muzzle and all that's missing is the reins. It's the negation of womanhood.
"I've taught in Morocco and Saudi Arabia and I have seen how these women walk three paces behind their husbands."
Mrs Al-Suwaidi's lawyer said her client had suffered "psychological shock" after the incident and had to take two days off work.
"(Mrs Ruby) is the one who had a provocative attitude. This aggression is a breach of religious freedom," he said.
He said that his client, who was not present in court, had left the country in disgust with no intention of returning.
Yesterday [Thu], the prosecution called for a two-month suspended sentence against Mrs Ruby for "aggravated voluntary assault" and a 750-euro (£660) fine. The plaintiff's lawyers demanded a total of 15,000 euros (£13,200) in damages. The trial continues.
France's law banning the burka and other face-covering garments comes into force early next year. It will mean anyone, including Muslim tourists, can now be fined for wearing the garment or ordered to follow a citizenship course. telegraph.co.uk
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