A new 300-page study urging that Quebec’s ban on religious symbols be extended to daycares has sparked strong backlash from Canadian Muslim organizations, media reported.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is already fighting a headscarf ban, which forbids wearing religious symbols by public servants in the workplace, in the Supreme Court.

Bill 21, which became law in 2019, covers most Quebec public servants, such as teachers, school janitors and health care workers. It is designed to separate state from religion. The new report released recently recommends that the ban include staff in subsidized daycares.

The ban forbids Muslim headscarves, Sikh turbans, Christian crosses and Jewish kippahs in the workplace.

Critics contend the ban unfairly targets Muslim women and forces them to follow their religion or be fired from their jobs. The new report also said Muslim students could risk their health by fasting during Ramadan.

NCCM Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown called the report “asinine” and an infringement on their rights.

“We really have to ask some serious questions about the legitimacy of their report,” he told Anadolu Agency (AA). “At a time when Quebecers are struggling with the cost of living, inflation, and the existential crisis posed by the Trump administration, this committee put together by the CAQ Quebec (Coalition Avenir Quebec) government has chosen to consider prioritizing going after kids in school and Muslim janitorial staff.”

Brown vowed to continue the legal fight against Bill 21, along with fellow plaintiffs the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and a Quebec nurse.

Source: CBC/Radio-Canada

The concerns centered on condemnations of pro-Palestinian rallies and advocacy since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

“The response that the Muslim community in Canada, for months, has been receiving from our elected leaders has been duplicitous,” National Council of Canadian Muslims head Stephen Brown said.

He told the House justice committee that it is contradictory for politicians to call out discrimination while vilifying people for attending peaceful pro-Palestinian protests.

“One that says they care about our concerns, and the other that immediately turns around and further spreads misinformation and makes deliberate attempt to villainize an entire community as hateful and intolerant people,” he testified.

His testimony was part of a parliamentary study into Islamophobia in Canada, which followed a similar study of antisemitism. Police have reported an increase in crimes targeting Jews and Muslims across Canada since the Israel-Hamas war started last October.

Brown’s group called on MPs to pass a motion to denounce anti-Palestinian racism and urge that civil liberties be protected, “including the ability to critique foreign governments.”

“If we’re going to combat Islamophobia, in all its ugly forms, it’s imperative for this government to walk the talk first,” said Samya Hasan, head of the Toronto-based group.

“Muslims in Canada are not safe from violent Islamophobia,” Brown said. “Islamophobia is real, it has killed and will continue to kill, if this study is not taken seriously.”

Source: CTV News