Montreal diocese opposes government plans to ban the veil: The Church of England Newspaper, May 21, 2010 p 6. May 28, 2010
Posted by geoconger in Anglican Church of Canada, Church of England Newspaper, Islam.trackback
Bishop Barry Clarke of Montreal
First published in The Church of England Newspaper.
The Anglican Diocese of Montreal has denounced a bill tabled before the Quebec provincial assembly that will ban the niqab—the veil worn by Muslim women that hides all but the eyes.
On March 24, Quebec Justice Minister Kathleen Weil tabled Bill 94 that would require all those who wear full veils to remove them if they hold government employment, or do business or receive services from state officials.
Premier Jean Charest told a news conference in Quebec City that the proposed law balanced individual liberties with the values of Quebec society, and conformed with the country’s human rights charter.
“This is a symbol of affirmation and respect — first of all, for ourselves, and also for those to whom we open our arms,” Mr Charest said, and was “not about making our home less welcoming, but about stressing the values that unite us.”
Womens’ groups and political leaders in Francophone Canada have denounced the niqab as a symbol of an anti-democratic ideology and misogynistic gender relations, and is akin to laws under consideration in France and Belgium to ban the niqab — or any face cover — when offering or and receiving public services in the courts, hospitals, post offices, employment agencies, schools, and licencing agencies.
However, the May issue of the Montreal Anglican reported the Diocesan Council by a strong majority adopted a resolution offered by Canon Alan Perry, the rector of St Barnabas Church in Pierrefonds and the diocesan ecumenical officer, expressing “grave concern” about Bill 94
“This is not about Muslim rights,” Canon Perry said, “it’s about human rights, under (Quebec and Canadian) Charter rights.”
Canon Perry argued that a resolution banning the niqab ran counter to the call of the 1998 Lambeth Conference to support Muslim rights in countries where Islam is a minority faith, (Resolution II.4.c.ii) as well as the Canadian church’s belief in a baptismal vow to strive for “peace and justice.”
“Having the right to make choices means having the right to make choices other people find uncomfortable,” he told the Montreal Anglican, adding that the resolution was not about “advocating the wearing of the niqab. It is about the right to do so.”
Bishop Barry Clarke endorsed the resolution writing to his clergy that Bill 94 eroded religious freedoms guaranteed by Canada’s human rights charter as well as unfairly targeted women—men do not weal veils in Islam.
However Bill 94 has overwhelming support among québécois, who have not been shy in the past in asserting French cultural values for the province. Opinion polls find the bill has the support of over 95 per cent of voters and is backed by all factions in the assembly.
The National Post quoted Quebec immigration minister Yolande James as stating the veil was un-Canadian. “If you want to integrate into Quebec society, here are our values. We want to see your face,” she said.
