By William Miller
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
QUEBEC, Canada – A Quebec woman has filed a complaint with the Quebec Human Rights Commission after being expelled from a state funded French class for refusing to remove her niqab, a veil which covers the face leaving only the eyes exposed. Yolanda James, spokeswoman for the Immigration Minister in Canada, says the state stands by the decision because religious face coverings interfere with the teacher’s ability to conduct the class.
Luc Fortin who spoke for James while she was out of the country on vacation said, “It is important for the teacher to see the student’s mouth to teach good elocution. A niqab interferes with that objective. We cannot allow the learning environment to be compromised.”
Neama who asked only to be identified by her first name emigrated from Egypt with her husband. She is currently a permanent resident of Canada. When she enrolled in a course designed to teach French to immigrants she informed the school that she could not remove her niqab because there were male students in the class.
At first the school went to great lengths to compromise with Neama. She was allowed to sit in the front of the class so only the female teacher would see her face should she need to remove her veil. She was also permitted to give oral presentations from the rear of the class so no male student could see her. The Government run school finally expelled her when she refused to remove the veil when male students in the back of the class could see her.
The decision has sparked debate between were limits on religious freedom should be placed. President of the Muslim Rights Council in Montreal, Salam Elmenyawi said “To deny a person the chance of integration just because they follow what they believe is correct for them is wrong. It’s this idea of manufacturing cases of manufacturing cases of hysteria over reasonable accommodation.”
The government however has stuck to the position that the veil was disruptive to the classroom environment. Fortin said that Neama’s refusal to remove her veil even when allowed to give her presentation at the back of the room because male students might still see her face created a tense atmosphere. Others find the face covering to be offensive, viewing it as a symbol of woman’s oppression.
Neama has started taking French classes at another school. The commission will review her case this coming spring.
For more information, please see:
Toronto Star – Student Files Rights Case over Quebec Niqab Ban – 4 March 2010
CBC – Quebec to Address Niqab Issue – 3 March 2010
Montreal Gazette – Niqab Heats up Rights Controversy – 3 March 2010
