Author: Paul Mcleod (Ottawa Bureau)
Source: The Chronicle Herald
Muslim groups say comments by the prime minister and citizenship minister have belittled their community.
In both the House of Commons and an email to supporters, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has been touting the government’s fight to ban niqabs from citizenship ceremonies.
The government is appealing a federal court ruling that said women do not have to remove the niqab, a veil worn by some Muslim women that conceals most of the face, while taking the oath of citizenship.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper referred to wearing the niqab as people hiding their identity and called it offensive.
On Twitter, Alexander said wearing a niqab during a citizenship ceremony was “indefensible.”
When Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau questioned the government’s stance, Alexander said that he was “cheapening (and) trampling” the rules of Canadian citizenship.
In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Alexander said “most Canadians find it offensive that someone would conceal their identity at the very moment when they are joining and expressing their commitment to Canadian laws, values and traditions.”
Amira Elghawaby, human rights co-ordinator with the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said the government is trying to score political points at the expense of Muslims instead of working with the community.
“Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of Canadian values. So it’s strange to me that this government would be trying to take away a woman’s freedom to choose how she wishes to dress.”
Elghawaby said that recent government comments, such as the prime minister referencing people being radicalized in mosques, reinforce negative stereotypes about Muslims.
The niqab issue has arisen as the government is pushing Bill C-51, anti-terrorism legislation that grants police and spy agencies broad new powers.
Critics, including the National Council of Canadian Muslims, say the bill restricts civil liberties. Elghawaby said her group feels the government is using fear of Muslims to sell Bill C-51.
“The Muslim community shouldn’t be used as this bogeyman that will be used to strip people of their civil liberties and human rights.”
Niqabs are far from universally accepted. The Canadian Council of Muslim Women’s official stance is that the niqab is not a religious requirement.
But spokeswoman Ferrukh Faruqui said that despite her personal beliefs, a person has the right to their individual interpretation of their faith.
Faruqui said she was surprised the government is focusing so vocally on what she considers to be a minor issue.
“In Canada, there are very, very few women who wear a niqab. This issue has sort of taken on a life of its own.
“To hear our elected representatives speaking like that, it reduces morale. … Muslims do feel that we are again under a microscope.”
Alexander could not be reached for comment.
