Quebec Faiths Rebuff Religious Symbols Ban
Banning public workers from wearing religious symbols, a newly proposed Quebec charter of values has been casting fresh debates from followers of different faiths, criticizing it as a direct attack on their religious freedom.
As a Canadian-Muslim woman, I proudly wear my hijab, a choice that is completely my own and not influenced by others,” Hagirah Farooq, a student in Longueuil, Quebec, told The Globe & Mail.
“My hijab does not cause any physical or psychological harm to anyone so than why should I be forced to remove it, if I want a good job working in Quebec?”
Like thousands of Canadians in Quebec district, Farooq was angered by the newly proposed Charter of Quebec Values.
Expected to be released next week, the charter suggests protecting state secularism by prohibiting public-sector workers from wearing religious symbols in workplaces such as schools, hospitals and daycares.
The ban would affect everyone from government workers and doctors to teachers and daycare workers.
The controversial charter has stirred many debates after Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne criticized it as against “diversity”.
Premier of British Columbia Christy Clark has also joined Quebec’s charter controversy.
“The proposed charter is an infringement on my basic rights as a human,” the Muslim student exclaimed.
“What I choose to wear is my personal choice; a freedom I thought I had as a Canadian citizen by birth.”
Peter Hughes, a Canadian Muslim convert in Bromont, Quebec, has also condemned the charter as “shameful”.
“The proposed Charter is shameful. This would be a clear message that 'our kind' are not welcome in Quebec,” said Hughes, adding that he and his wife were Muslim converts of English and French Canadian heritage respectively.
“We would likely consider leaving the province, if this charter of exclusion came into effect,” angry Hughes added.
Using the term religious symbols, the charter was criticized for banning Muslim hijab, deemed as part of Islam religious practices.
“The term “religious symbol” is problematic on many levels, and a head scarf is part of my religious practice,” Rabia Kurd, a civil servant in Montreal, said.
Kristyn Vlahakis who works in the education filed in Montreal agreed.
It is important for me to wear a hijab to work as I am a practicing Muslim and it is an important part of my faith.
“The proposed charter is both xenophobic and not representative.”
The new charter was not affecting Muslims only.
Harjeet Bhabra, a university professor in Montreal, saw it as a discrimination against his Sikh religion.
“A turban is part of my religious attire. It is not acceptable for an adult male Sikh who practices his religion to be in public without a turban,” he said.
“The proposed charter is unconstitutional, divisive and discriminatory. It goes against the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Canadian Charter and the UN Charter.”
Buddhist and Christians have also rejected the proposed charter.
“I am Buddhist and wear Mala beads during specific days of the year,” Sean Gardner, who works as a customer service in Montreal.
“It is important for me to feel free to present myself freely in the workplace, and my religious faith is a big part of whom I am. The proposed charter is one of exclusion that will make certain people feel attacked.”
Magda Grzechowiak from Montreal shared a similar opinion.
“I wear a ring with crucifixes and sometimes T-shirts with Christian slogans,” Magda Grzechowiak from Montreal said.
“To me, it’s all about freedom of expression and my own personal style of what I like to wear and what is important to me.
“Some people flaunt their fancy cars and wear brand names of clothing. Why can’t I flaunt and wear my religion?”
Muslims make around 2.8 percent of Canada's 32.8 million population, and Islam is the number one non-Christian faith in the north American country.
A survey has showed the overwhelming majority of Muslims are proud to be Canadian.
Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.
In a recent poll, most for the Quebeckers were found not concerned about religious accommodations.
Though it has the second largest Muslim population in Canada, the east-central province of Quebec is one of the most Islamophobic provinces in the country, where Muslims are facing different kinds of discrimination and racism.
Source: On Islam
“My hijab does not cause any physical or psychological harm to anyone so than why should I be forced to remove it, if I want a good job working in Quebec?”
Like thousands of Canadians in Quebec district, Farooq was angered by the newly proposed Charter of Quebec Values.
Expected to be released next week, the charter suggests protecting state secularism by prohibiting public-sector workers from wearing religious symbols in workplaces such as schools, hospitals and daycares.
The ban would affect everyone from government workers and doctors to teachers and daycare workers.
The controversial charter has stirred many debates after Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne criticized it as against “diversity”.
Premier of British Columbia Christy Clark has also joined Quebec’s charter controversy.
“The proposed charter is an infringement on my basic rights as a human,” the Muslim student exclaimed.
“What I choose to wear is my personal choice; a freedom I thought I had as a Canadian citizen by birth.”
Peter Hughes, a Canadian Muslim convert in Bromont, Quebec, has also condemned the charter as “shameful”.
“The proposed Charter is shameful. This would be a clear message that 'our kind' are not welcome in Quebec,” said Hughes, adding that he and his wife were Muslim converts of English and French Canadian heritage respectively.
“We would likely consider leaving the province, if this charter of exclusion came into effect,” angry Hughes added.
Using the term religious symbols, the charter was criticized for banning Muslim hijab, deemed as part of Islam religious practices.
“The term “religious symbol” is problematic on many levels, and a head scarf is part of my religious practice,” Rabia Kurd, a civil servant in Montreal, said.
Kristyn Vlahakis who works in the education filed in Montreal agreed.
It is important for me to wear a hijab to work as I am a practicing Muslim and it is an important part of my faith.
“The proposed charter is both xenophobic and not representative.”
The new charter was not affecting Muslims only.
Harjeet Bhabra, a university professor in Montreal, saw it as a discrimination against his Sikh religion.
“A turban is part of my religious attire. It is not acceptable for an adult male Sikh who practices his religion to be in public without a turban,” he said.
“The proposed charter is unconstitutional, divisive and discriminatory. It goes against the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Canadian Charter and the UN Charter.”
Buddhist and Christians have also rejected the proposed charter.
“I am Buddhist and wear Mala beads during specific days of the year,” Sean Gardner, who works as a customer service in Montreal.
“It is important for me to feel free to present myself freely in the workplace, and my religious faith is a big part of whom I am. The proposed charter is one of exclusion that will make certain people feel attacked.”
Magda Grzechowiak from Montreal shared a similar opinion.
“I wear a ring with crucifixes and sometimes T-shirts with Christian slogans,” Magda Grzechowiak from Montreal said.
“To me, it’s all about freedom of expression and my own personal style of what I like to wear and what is important to me.
“Some people flaunt their fancy cars and wear brand names of clothing. Why can’t I flaunt and wear my religion?”
Muslims make around 2.8 percent of Canada's 32.8 million population, and Islam is the number one non-Christian faith in the north American country.
A survey has showed the overwhelming majority of Muslims are proud to be Canadian.
Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.
In a recent poll, most for the Quebeckers were found not concerned about religious accommodations.
Though it has the second largest Muslim population in Canada, the east-central province of Quebec is one of the most Islamophobic provinces in the country, where Muslims are facing different kinds of discrimination and racism.
Source: On Islam
