Woman at heart of niqab debate becomes Canadian citizen

The Conservative electioneering around the niqab is getting more and more ridiculous, says the head of a Muslim-Canadian women’s organization after news this week that a ban is being considered for federal public servants and visitors to Parliament Hill.

“Unfortunately, these types of issues cause division within Canadian society and bring about negative sentiments”, said Twakkal. “Instead of the economy, of lack of jobs… none of those serious issues are being discussed”.

Conservatives justify the position by saying it is central to core Canadian values.

The Imam, who is from Western Canada but has been with the London Muslim Mosque since 2013, believes most Canadians will reject this turn in the campaign.

“I’ve gotten one very nasty, vicious call and the rest have all been highly supportive”, Hogben says.

He noted that under the leadership of his Conservative Party, Canada has received and approved destination status from the Chinese government, witnessing a four-fold increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting this country over the past nine years.

“They are being misguided by the government on this particular issue”.

Stephen Harper’s startling statements that he will consider banning the niqab in the federal public service drew fire from his foes but appeared to mostly baffle bureaucratic insiders. You came here knowing these rules.

“So, it is very important for me that I am covering my face when I am taking the oath for the citizenship of Canada”, Ishaq told the CBC this week.

The policy, however, has been overturned in the courts.

In a ceremony Ishaq, 29, took the citizenship oath while wearing her niqab – a right she fought for and recently won after a lengthy legal battle.

“To the prime minister directly, stop this before someone truly gets hurt”, Trudeau told the CBC radio.

According to one survey, Canadian women who wear the niqab are “irritated” by the perception that they are forced to do so. “This is not Canada, and the kind of leadership and divisive politics that he’s playing is risky and irresponsible”.

Zunera Ishaq said much of the discussion swirling around the issue in recent weeks has been based on misconceptions about Islam, the niqab and the women who embrace both.

This does not come as a surprise to Shireen Ahmed, who’s Muslim and a women’s sports activist in Toronto. “They have full participation within our community, it’s not seen to be a barrier of sorts”.

Though the ban is only for the oath ceremony – women do unveil to confirm their identity prior to the ceremony – the federal government is appealing to the Supreme Court.