The Anti-Hijab Bill

 
 Racha Cheaib, a particle physicist
 English spokesperson for Centre Communautaire Musulman de Montreal.

Let's call it what it is, the Anti-Hijab Bill. Earlier this year the Quebec government introduced Bill 21, which is supposedly focused at requiring civil servants to fulfill their duties without wearing visible religious symbols. Presumably this would include crosses and kippot or yarmulkes, the skill cap worn by observant Jewish men. But most people assume that while the draft legislation doesn't refer to specific religions, Muslim women who wear the hijab are the target. They certainly feel that way, and there are many Muslim women who are teachers in the Quebec school system.
 
When the bill was introduced Premier François Legault called for a "calm debate" about its merits, but the reaction has been highly charged and the bigots are out there in force. After Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante declared her opposition to the bill, she received many threats, resulting in an increase in her security detail. It is pathetic that bigotry and hatred are often directed toward women. It really is cowardice. 



Supposedly the Anti-Hijab Bill will help ensure a secular society in Quebec, a contention which is something of a farce since there is a large crucifix in the National Assembly where debate of the bill will take place. While I love many aspects of Quebec culture there is a disturbing undertone of racism and specific Islamophobia in the province. 

I'm glad that many groups, including Christians, are opposing this legislation. If we believe in freedom of religion we'll follow what unfolds in the debate closely. We can all pray for an outcome which respects that freedom in every aspect of society. 

Thoughts?