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Islamophobia and the Muslim veil in Quebec
editIslamophobia is an anti-Muslim sentiment.
The increase of Islamophobia in Quebec has been dangerously impacting Canada and its multiculturalism.[1] Acts of violence have been affecting Muslim Quebecer youth, women, men and even places of worship (i.e., mosques).[2] Since 2013 The Quebec Collective Against Islamophobia saw a three-hundred percent increase in complaints about anti-Muslim attacks.[3] Muslim women in particular, who practice the hijab or niqab, are afraid to walk out into the streets of Quebec, as a result of the constant hateful physical and mental attacks.
The entire concept of Islamophobia violates the charter and its purpose. This motion promotes incitement of hatred and hate speech by allowing people to publicly start a movement of hatred against the Muslim community. Basic Quebec human rights are being violated on a regular basis, such as the right to security and dignity.[4] Acts against the Muslim community have caused high stress levels.
The Muslim veil is a niqab/burqa(face-covering) worn by Islam practicing women who wear it for the sole purpose of modesty and respect and for the love of Allah (Arabic term for God). The use of the Muslim veil shows their strong belief and faith in the religion.
A French-Canadian nationalist party has made it their goal to stop the use of religious attire (i.e., Muslim veils, Sikh turbans and Jewish kippas) in a professional environment. Residents of Quebec, inside and even outside of the Muslim community see this as inequality and a way of condemning certain important practices of religion. People do not want to have to choose between God and their career.[5][6]
Quebec has stated that any person that wants to deal with its government must not be wearing a face covering, rather have their face shown. Muslim leaders have a hard time not feeling singled out due to the fact that Quebec law has shown no interest banning of other religions specific practices. The leaders of the Quebec province believe that the Islamic religion does not accommodate to the equality of men and women, and also the use of the Muslim veil will not be tolerated because it is a barrier of communication and stands in the way of proper visual identification. Muslims all over the world believe that the veil is a sign of respect and modesty, while on the other hand Quebec leaders believe that it shows inequality of women. The Muslim Committee of Montreal say that an estimate of 25 people in Quebec wear the face-covering and question the need to legislate such a small minority of the population.[7]
The Montreal mayor (and former federal Liberal bigwig and immigration minister), Denis Coderre, states that “It’s clear to me that the niqab is not religious, it’s cultural.” Majority of Quebec’s leading political officials are in favor of the ban for the niqab, and so is majority of Quebec's general public. While some are passionate for the ban, feminists all over Canada are disturbed, angered and mortified by the idea of objection for a women’s right to choose. [8]
Works Cited
edit- ^ "Quebec legislature adopts motion condemning 'Islamophobia'". The Canadian Press. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ Majzoub, Samer (14 April 2015). "Quebec Must Address its Growing Climate of Islamophobia". Huffingston Post. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ "Quebec Muslim women 'scared to walk alone'". CBC News. CBC News. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ Majzoub, Samer (14 April 2015). "Quebec Must Address its Growing Climate of Islamophobia". Huffingston Post. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
- ^ Hayoun, Massoud (13 December 2013). "Religious-dress ban may force Quebecois to choose God or career". Aljazeera America. Aljazeera America. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ "ISLAMOPHOBIA ON THE RISE IN QUEBEC: SURVEY". Islamic Information Portal. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ "Quebec bans niqab from government services". The Canadian Press. The Star Canada. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ Wente, Margaret (29 September 2015). "Why the niqab matters, now and in future". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 4 October 2015.