PARIS, October 27, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – In what Muslim activists hailed as "a victory of justice", a French court has ruled for the holding of Islamic fashion shows, despite an earlier ban by a local official.

“The court ruling has put right an unfair situation brought about by a local official decision against Muslim women who simply wanted a show of their Islamic dress in a fashion show,” Collective anti-Islamophobia in France (CCIF) chairman Sami Dabah told IslamOnline.net Wednesday, October 26.

Montreuil governor Jean-Pierre Brard prohibited in September a fashion show organized by Sarl Jasmeen Islamic Fashion House. Brard claimed the show was “sectarian” and “a threat” to national unity.

The court ruling further fined Brard to euros 750.

CCIF, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) defending Muslims’ rights in France, said in a statement, a copy of which was received by IOL, the ruling was a victory for justice in the face of oppressive anti-Muslim measures.

The NGO insisted taking such racist and Islamophobic incidents to court is the best way to preserve the rights of persecuted people, according to the statement. CCIF further dismissed some parties charges that it is pointless (to go to court), citing prolonged procedures.

The organization called on all Muslims who come under any form of persecution to seek legal action against those in charge as the best means to gain their rights.

A French NGO has issued a report on anti-Muslim violations that have taken place in the European state showing such acts soaring to reach 251% increase during 2004, compared to the previous year.

Some ultra rightist groups were held responsible for anti-Muslim acts, according to the report.

The report offered by the group to the French government in March 2005 has urged quick response on the part of the state to counter the growing hostility towards Muslims.

Some 6 million Muslims live in France, among a total population of 62 million, making them the biggest Muslim minority across Europe.

The anti-racism Collective anti-Islamophobia in France was established in 2004 after the ratification of the hijab ban law.