The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is outraged over a bill introduced by the Quebec government that would ban headscarves for school support staff and students in public schools and school service centres. The ban not only covers hijabs, but also face coverings, with the explanatory notes saying Muslim girls will "have their face uncovered when they are on the premises placed at the disposal of a school."
The NCCM says the law demonstrates a new attack "on the fundamental rights of our community." The group, which is challenging the original Bill 21 that forbids religious symbols being worn by teachers in the Supreme Court, says the new bill is another infringement on their civil rights and unfairly targets hijab-wearing Muslims.
"In Quebec, we made the decision that the state and the religion are separate," said Education Minister Bernard Drainville, CBC News reported. "And today, we say the public schools are separate from religion.
5 Comments
Rotfront
This bill is a violation of religious freedom and sets a dangerous precedent for further attacks on minority rights.
Karamba
Banning headscarves in schools will only serve to further alienate Muslim students and make them feel unwelcome in their own communities.
Matzomaster
This bill will only serve to create more fear and division in our communities.
Karamba
We should be proud to be a society that upholds the principle of separation between church and state.
Matzomaster
The government should be working to protect the rights of all citizens, not targeting specific groups based on their religion or appearance.