This piece is a response to a Globe and Mail article concerning the recent niqab case that has surfaced in the news.
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“I think it would be better if everybody could stay calm,” said Shaheen Ashraf of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women. “There is a fear factor in this province that doesn't do any good. But I don't know why a niqabi [a woman who wears a niqab] would come here and expect to live in comfort as the only person wearing it. Why would you come to a society where you know you will be shunned?”
- taken from article
I am deeply concerned with Mr. Ashraf’s comments on women who wear the niqab. As a member of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, I am shocked that he could be as unforgiving of his own people as to ask the following of niqabis, “Why would you come to a society where you know you will be shunned?”
Shunned?
Really?
I would at least give Canadians more courtesy than that...
Overall, as a resident of Quebec, I am ashamed that this case has unfolded and of the nature it is acquiring. Whatever happened to our ideals of laissez-faire?! If it doesn’t hurt you, nor me, nor them, who cares. Remember Pierre Trudeau? He told us that the private affairs of individuals were not for us to judge in law and state. What could be more personal than an individual’s right to express their faith?
Canadians espouse themselves as being multicultural. As I write this, I am currently sitting overseas in Singapore where religious tolerance would put Quebec Canada to shame. And this is an authoritarian government we are speaking of...
Are the burqa, hijab, or niqab really symbols antithesis to Canadian culture, or democracy, or modernity? As rational people I think we could all agree that, at the very least, the best way to settle this cultural clash (for indeed, this is an issue of cultural bigotry) is not to go the French (France) way as this case seems to be, but to agree to disagree and let the women be!
If Muslim women choose to cover their bodies, so be it! If Canadian women choose to reveal cleavage, so be it! Let the women choose for themselves what is appropriate for their own bodies.
And as for what is appropriate for society at large, let time speak for itself in terms of what is wrong or right -- not uninformed individuals venting a moments ego. Do not force people to change simply out of caprice and ignorance. Remember-- ignorance is not a defence under reason.
It is in tolerating ‘others’ that we will bridge the bonds of social harmony. By disregarding or failing to understand the ‘other’ or to accept practices of the ‘other’ we breed hatred. French Canadians are all too good at this. Even though the Quite Revolution sought to break society free from a religious orthodox bound, a disconcerting social orthodoxy still seems to cling to much of those in the province.
Let it go.
Hey Sarah.
ReplyDeleteYou are talking about freedom of choice for women. But the issue (at least in France) is whether a niqabi chose to wear the niqab. There is no definite answer, but the concern is that some women may be forced by their husbands/brothers/fathers to wear it. And this is clearly against the rights of women.
The second issue (and this particular to France, as it's a secular state) is whether wearing a niqab in public is against our constitution. And I admit I don't have the answer: in France, a religion can't be promoted against the others. Is a niqabi "promoting" islam in public?
There has been a big debate here in France, and mostly people feel uncomfortable with it. But meanwhile people generally agree that the niqab or the burqa should be worn in private only (compared to the hijab). And the debate was actually started by a communist (nand not by a far-right politician, as one could have thought).
Have a good day !
Hey John,
ReplyDeleteFrance definitely has a lot of issues on its plate....lol.
What I meant to refer to, however, was the fact that France is typically said to have a closed-door policy to religious accommodation: in the sense that they are removing religion from the public sphere.
In Canada, this is usually frowned upon. So something like the niqab case that has recently surfaced in Quebec is actually quite controversial. Especially given that since 2006 Quebecers have placed concerted efforts on religious tolerance and accommodation.
Either way you look at it, it's messy.
Cheers
Actually, I should be careful when I say the 'public sphere'-- I don't meant o include government affiliated things... but things social expressions
ReplyDeleteHere is what a Globe and Mail reader said in response to my post:
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you would identify women as either Muslim OR Canadian. Are these women not here to become "Canadian"? As for "natural evolution" - that is certainly one of the factors that concerns Canadians. With a refusal on one side to integrate with the culture of their new country and a greater multiplication factor, some Canadians have a pretty good idea of what your idea of "natural evolution" really is. When there's eventually enough of them, they as the majority will enforce their way and "not accommodate" the differences of the new minority. Bye bye cleavage - bye bye faces. The opinion of most Canadians about the niqab, burka, etc. are hardly a sudden impulse. You may find this shocking, but many of us are thoughtful and literate. Tell me how do muslim societies deal with capricious political provocateurs in their midst?