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Subscribe to RSSMONTREAL -- In a move likely to inflame Canada's Muslim community, the government said on Monday it would bar all women wearing face coverings from taking part in citizenship swearing-in ceremonies.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said he had received complaints from citizenship judges and parliamentarians about veiled women taking the oath to become Canadian.
"Requiring that all candidates show their faces while reciting the oath allows judges and everyone present to share in the ceremony," Kenney said in a speech in Montreal.
"The citizenship oath is a quintessentially public act. It is a public declaration that you are joining the Canadian family and it must be taken freely and openly."
Kenney said some citizenship judges were concerned that some Muslim women wearing face coverings were not actually reciting the oath.
"They told me last month that it’s a fairly common problem. Every week, in every region of the country, we’re dealing with situations where applicants arrive with a veil on,” Kenney said, according to The Globe and Mail. “Frankly, I found it bizarre that the rules allowed people to take the oath with a veil on.”
Kenney's announcement will affect women wearing the niqab -- a face veil with an eye opening -- as well as the burqa, which has a full face covering with a mesh area to allow vision.
The move might well trigger a court challenge from those who say the restriction violates freedom of religion provisions under Canada's constitution.
The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations said Kenney's move questioned the sincerity and good faith of some citizenship applicants and not others.
"This decision will have a damaging effect on our democracy because it forces those who wear the niqab to choose between their religious convictions and adopting Canadian citizenship," said Ihsaan Gardee, the council's acting executive director.
The most recent figures from Statistics Canada show that, in 2001, around 2 percent of the population was Muslim. Community leaders say the figure now is more like 3 percent of the country's 34.5 million people.
The location of the announcement was not without symbolism. The French-speaking province of Quebec has had debates over how much Canada should bend to accommodate newcomers.
The provincial government said last year it planned to ban Muslim women from receiving all official services if they have their faces covered.
Earlier this year, a court in France fined two Muslim women for wearing full-face veils in public, the first time a judge had imposed punishment under a "burqa ban" law.
Last week, the Supreme Court of Canada heard the case of a Muslim woman who wanted to testify against her alleged rapists from behind her niqab. A decision has not yet been rendered.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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Good for them. Enough pandering.
Yeah, who needs the freedom of religious expression?
So what do these women do if they want a driver's license or an ID card?
Perhaps the Canadian DMV will have to come up with a new category of driving offense - DUB (Driving under Burkha).
lol
Hooray for Canada! If these muslims don't like it then let them go home! Good riddance!
Toasty : note the link please. It is up to religious debate , whether wearing the veil is required by the religion itself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niqāb
Canada is right on this one.
right on canada!
what a joke. i am a naturalized US citizen. i took the oath at a ceremony with hundreds of other immigrants, all in the same room.
the way the oath is administered is, a representative of the court says 'repeat after me', and then says each sentence of the oath with a pause for new citizens to repeat.
it is not like you are face to face with someone. if a person wants to not recite the oath, it takes much less than a burqa...
It was a weak explanation but it would've been better if he didn't feel like he had to come up with one. I think the reasons are pretty self explanatory.
Surprise!
People who live in a free country who have free ideals do not happen to like seeing other people still subjugated when they arrive in that country and obtain citizenship via the grace of the countries' laws and founding principles.
It kind of defeats the purpose of the whole 'opportunity' thing does it not?
This religious crap really seems to create a sub-theocratic governing society within a government whenever they can.
They seek to sometimes create their own little Iran or whatever do they not? Well Surprise! We will not put up with people continuing to be subjugated and beat down...especially not before our own eyes...especially not if we can stop it!!!
Islam, there are some good aspects to you; yet we still have a few bones to pick with you...so get used to it!
So how many Jews in Muslimland get their photo ID pictures with Skull Caps on?
Lar does a skull cap , obstruct the view of your face? Didn't think so. Hows the apple and orange crop this year?
Scar
It's not about obstructing view.
The point is that wearing a Jewish skull cap in Mecca, or Aman, or Tripoli, or Cairo, or Islamabad, would result in getting your head cut off.
What's with the apple or orange crop?
Reading the article is a plus:"Requiring that all candidates show their faces while reciting the oath allows judges and everyone present to share in the ceremony," Kenney said in a speech in Montreal."
See my point now?? It is about obstructing view. Same with drivers licenses in the US.
The non specified Moslemland is probably close to devoid of Jews today. It would be a fruitless act of stupidity, to wear a skull cap to say a Iranian license bureau, for example .
You missed the point completely. It's about INTOLERANCE. It's obvious to most that a skull cap would not obstruct the face. The point is that intolerance in Muslimland allows no Jews and if they indicate they are Jewish by wearing the skull cap, they would be risking their lives. Now we all know there are about 15000 Jews in Iran, but it essentially stops there. No Jew has even been in Mecca. And so may other places would likely kill Jews on sight. So if they are complaining about not being able to get their ID picture taken in Canada with out traditional headgear, think about the lack of rights that exist in their country. That is the apples to apples.
Scar By the way, and strangely, Iran may be the most tolerant ME state towards Jews. They are anti Zionist a lot more than they are antisemitic.
My God, the worshipful Vulcan insist upon a virgin sacrifice dropped into a volcano each year. It is clearly mandated by the prophet Zorg in chapter 7 versus 9-12.
Now our God is hungry and telling us to fly airplanes into buildings shouting "Vulcan is the Greatest!!!!". The sacrificial non-believers will become food for our beloved Vulcan!!!
Unfortunatly, our ruby encrusted doors were closed by the federal government. We were labeled a "dangerous cult". This was a complete violation of our civil rights!
I sympathize with the Muslims who want to cover their faces to conceal their identity. This law is government suppression of self expression of self supression. Muslims only wish to advertise to the world how much more rightious they are in thier bold faced, hyper-pious, ultramax modest, face concealing Burkas. They abhor the slutty, face-showing women of their new chosen homeland.
Good job Canada. You're future generations will have a national identity that still means something, rather than the spineless, cowering, liberal nothingness that has replaced the American identity.
The burqa and niqab or not religious but cultural in their nature. The Koran does NOT require Muslim women to wear them. It only requires Muslim women to dress modestly. The reason was so they would not mistaken for female slaves. I worked at a major University in Chicago. There were many Muslim students. One chose to wear the niqab. She was always by herself. Even the other Muslim students kept their distance. She even wore it in the cafeteria. Don't ask me how she ate. I didn't want to stare and get in trouble. Does Canada allow people to take the oath with a ski mask on or a old style goalie mask on? I doubt it.
Devil's Son,
Very well said and informational.
Wearing a veil over the face is cultural tradition not a religious requirement. Requiring persons to remove the niqab to take an oath of citizenship does not in any way impinge on their religious freedom. If they want to become citizens of a western country, they should be prepared to abide by the custom of their chosen country.
Obviously, they wish to leave behind their old ways and take up new lives in a new country. They should start by leaving their old traditions behind. They should show their faces as everyone else does when they take an oath of citizenship. I agree with the Canadian government policy. The U.S. should follow their example
Canada must not be very tolerant of differing cultures. Very unfortunate and oppressive. Maybe Canadians don't have rights.
The only custom of the west is freedom.
I honestly think this is stupid. It goes against these women's interpretation of Islam to be without a veil in public. This ban is clearly an anti-muslim move that has no place in a developed nation.
I can't believe Canada is doing this. Next thing you know they'll be asking illegal aliens for ID.
What an ignorant statement. Canada is way more liberal than the US. They don't discriminate on marriage. They have stricter gun laws. They have healthcare for EVERYONE.
Lar-345817 there is a Jewish community in...Iran. Not everything is perfect, but it seems the evil Iranians are not cutting their heads off
Iran's Jewish community is officially recognized as a religious minority group by the government, and, like the Zoroastrians, they are allocated one seat in the Iranian Parliament. Ciamak Moresadegh is the current Jewish member of the parliament, replacing Maurice Motamed in the 2008 election. In 2000, former Jewish MP Manuchehr Eliasi estimated that at that time there were still 30,000–35,000 Jews in Iran, most other sources put the figure at 25,000.[54] The United States State Department estimated the number of Jews in Iran at 20,000–25,000 as of 2009.[55]
Today Tehran has 11 functioning synagogues, many of them with Hebrew schools. It has two kosher restaurants, an old-age home and a cemetery. There is a Jewish library with 20,000 titles.[18] Iranian Jews have their own newspaper (called "Ofogh-e-Bina") with Jewish scholars performing Judaic research at Tehran's "Central Library of Jewish Association".[56] The "Dr. Sapir Jewish Hospital" is Iran's largest charity hospital of any religious minority community in the country;[56] however, most of its patients and staff are Muslim.[57]
Chief Rabbi Yousef Hamadani Cohen is the present spiritual leader for the Jewish community of Iran.[58] In August 2000, Chief Rabbi Cohen met with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami for the first time.[59] In 2003, Chief Rabbi Cohen and Morris Motamed met with President Katami at Yusef Abad Synagogue which was the first time a President of Iran had visited a synagogue since the Islamic Revolution.[60] Haroun Yashayaei is the chairman of the Jewish Committee of Tehran and leader of Iran's Jewish Community.[60][61] On January 26, 2007, Yashayaei's letter to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad concerning his Holocaust denial comments brought about worldwide media attention.[62][63][64]
The Jews of Iran have been best known for certain occupations like making gold jewellery and antique dealing, textiles and carpets.
Conditions
The Constitution of Iran says that Jews are equal to Muslims. Imam Khomeini visited with members of the Jewish community and issued a decree ordering the adherents of Judaism and other revealed religions to be protected. Jews are entitled to self-administration and one member of the 290-seat Majlis is elected by only Jews. Jewish burial rites and divorce laws are accepted by Islamic courts. Tehran has over 20 synagogues. Iran has one of only four Jewish charity hospitals in the world. The hospital has received donations from top Iranian officials, including President Ahmadinejad. Kosher butcher shops are available in Iran. There are Hebrew schools and coeducation is allowed.[65]
Jews are conscripted into the Army like all Iranian citizens. Many Iranian Jews fought during the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988) as drafted soldiers. About 15 were killed.[66] It has been reported that Jews in Iran are proud of their heritage.
Jewish citizens are permitted to obtain passports and to travel outside the country, but they often are denied the multiple-exit permits normally issued to other citizens. With the exception of certain business travelers, the authorities require Jews to obtain clearance and pay additional fees before each trip abroad. The Government appears concerned about the emigration of Jewish citizens and permission generally is not granted for all members of a Jewish family to travel outside the country at the same time.
The Association of Tehrani Jews said in a statement, "We Iranian Jews condemn claims of the US State Department on Iranian religious minorities, announced that we are fully free to perform our religious duties and we feel no restriction on performing our religious rituals." [67]
In spite of the many allegations about discrimination by the US state department, the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported that mass emigration to the USA is due to economic reasons and not to religious persecution.[68]
romilio - You are wrong as one can be. Iran wants ALL JEWS DEAD, period. That is what they want, and that is what the Koran states they must do to have an entire world of Islam, period. Your lies do not wash with the Jews, or anyone that has half a brain. Go try and live in Iran as a Jew or Christian or anything other than being a Muslim, then get back to me on it,.....you will either convert to Islam or be killed and that is the way they beleive. When they are not the majority they pretend to be tolerant, but when they are the majority they are no different than Nazism or Hitler. Convert or be ANNIHILATED.
romilio and someoneelse
Iran hates Israel and Zionists, not necessarily Jews. Don't get me wrong, I hate the leadership of Iran and wish them all the worst. But the reality is that there were many Jews in Iran prior to the Ayatollah taking over in 1979. Many Jews left but a large amount, somewhere around 15000 stayed. They face a lot of issues but to a great extent are Nationalistic. They are likely all part of the liberal movement in Iran that wants to overthrow the nut job clerics and Ahmadinijad.
All Muslims should be banned from wearing their veils elsewhere in the United States of America. They should adjust themselves to the lifestyle of the America's, you came here to migrate you have to follow the rules of the West. No one is exempted.
Maybe we could get people to pull up their pants, and get that metal crap out of their faces, and please...government mandated hair cuts
The Canadian government has a legitimate reason for this mandate. If you don't want to abide, then don't, but you will be denied citizenship.
MrPheaniques - your issues are just a matter of preference. Sorry, but that's something you have to put up with in a FREE COUNTRY.
I'm sorry, but I seem to recall something in the U.S. Constitution. It's called freedom of religion and, more specifically, the Exercise Clause. I fail to see how banning an integral part of one of the world's largest religions does not violate the exercise of that religion.
Anyone care to correct me here?
Apparently you didn't read the story...This ban was imposed by Canada, which is not party to the US Constitution....and freedom of religion does not preclude a need for identification on documents, ie; no burqas. Lastly this is not simply a religion, it is a hate filled religious culture that demands adherence to it's own law ( Sharia ) over and above secular laws. Big difference!
Agreed, take a leaf out of Frances book.
As a woman, I find it offensive that under religious pretenses, some Muslims require their women to be covered. It is a cultural choice, not a religious choice. It is indoctrination, brainwashing, and total acceptance of a certain form of bondage, all under the name of religion. Women will never be free in this world if coercion under the guise of religion continues to exist.
mckftw - My religion says I must yell "fire" in a crowded theater. Should the state be able to trample my religious freedoms? P.S. the bondage of women is not a religious freedom anyway
mckftw : its up to both historical and religious debate whether the headwear is part of the religion at all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niqāb
The Byzantine empire wasn't islamic.
If my information is correct the veil is not a religious requirement but social so how can this be a denial of religious freedom. How can a free and equal society function if half the citizenry is hiding.
I agree with France and Canada on this, it is nit like they are being asked to strip naked.
Well, let's see here, there has to be a photo license in order to drive. So, if a woman is wearing a veil covering her face, how does anyone know who she is, if she is the person in the photo ID and not some imposter? There is no reason to show one's hair but the face, well, one kind of needs to see the face to recognise the person. If the canadians want to know who, exactly, it is they are swearing in as a citizen, then seeing said person's face is a good idea. Otherwise, it would be like swearing in a scarf rack.
hatred, fear, and ignorance one of the main 3 emotions that causes racism,sexism,and anti-semeticism we saw it during slavery,black codes, and jim crow. We see with the persecution of women, muslims, and latinos today. these emotions change form any now and then just to drag people to stew in their own close mindeness.
this is no different in any other country let me ask you all both here in america and canda when does a law become oppressive when its already enforced or when its being created
It definitely makes you question their sincerity. And if even canadians are drawing a line....... wow.
It is not out of line to request the removal of face coverings while taking the oath.
Agreed, humans are humans all over the world. How did these humans got so distorted that they believe they can impose their ways in matters of civil behaviors in a country foreign to them. If they can't abide by Canadian standards then they shouldn't take their citizenship. Done.
Islamists are overstepping their boundaries on account of their religion. Maybe a little Christian fervor is in order.
If for no other reason than to ensure the person taking the oath is the actual person on the ID card.
I am all for religious freedom and the human right of self determination, however, sometimes one's belief system has to make compromises in order to function in the real world. Sometimes, a person must follow a societies rules if they wish to be part of that society.
I suppose Canada could switch to a DNA identification system, and use subdermal RFID tags while they are at it, then there would be no question as to who is behind the veil.
Why do we pander to Muslims? It is destroying our culture, our society, our religious freedom, our way of thinking, and our sense of well-being in our own country. Muslims are imposing their values, their customs, their religious biases on us. It is time to STOP pandering to Muslims.
It's time to stop pandering to ALL religions
We also need to stop pandering to the Christian right in the US. And as mt-512899 says "ALL RELIGIONS".
Respecting religion is not "pandering".....
More christian's claiming persecution.
Respecting religion of any sort, especially monotheism, is to give credence to sheer ignorance and nothing more.
they worship the same God as I do, why do we need to persecute them when we got over persecuting people in the 50's and 60's. I remember my own grandparents telling me that people fought and died just so none of us would go through the same BS we see today, are we all that blind to not see what's really going on here do we not see the ignorance from this.
XanonymousX - If you worship the same "god" as Muslims then you are not a Jew or a Christian. The Bible and Koran are NOT from the "same deity".
only an ignorant fool would reply with supremecy, of course they worship the same God as we do in fact before you comment me again with ignornace why don't you look up the meaning of Islam,Judaism and Christanity and do a compare and contrast. and when i mean look it up i mean don't go to your usual bloggers site but actually look up te meaning of the three religions
Citizenship in a country like Canada and US trumps religious practices or beliefs. Want to live and stay here? Guess what...
If you want to belong to a country, than belong. Otherwise don't try and become a citizen, or better yet, go somewhere else. Additionally, I don't care what you're wearing or why, you can't hide your face in some situations. At a citizenship swearing in you can't wear a bandana over your face either so get used to it or go home.
It doesn't matter. The oath means nothing to Islamics. They adhere to their own oath and authority. All non-blievers are infidels and should be destroyed according to the Koran.
Fantastic! Even the Canadians have had enough of the patently evil cult of death, destruction, and hate called "Islam" . . .
Amen....well stated!
Let's not get too hoity toity here; as I remember it, the christians Catholics started the crusades, they were just as bad; remember the massacre of the Cathars?
All religion is basically intolerant of another and therefore dogmatic hypocrisy. It should all be discouraged and eradicated.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but they aren't Canadian until they finish the oath, yes? If so, they have ZERO religious rights until the oath is completed. Thus, there should be no problem.
Nothing against Muslims only - this should go for ANY religion/religious groups.
Even if I'm incorrect, if you want to live in a country, you have to follow thier laws/rules. If the country doesn't want you to wear a veil, don't wear it. Or leave.
If the country wants you to wear a veil, wear it. Or leave. Seems pretty simple.
Except that in the countries that want women to wear a veil or whatever - they can't leave!
No, mt, one does not have to be a citizen of a country to have rights. If an American is arrested in Canada, s/he have the same right to a trial by jury and to legal representation as a Canadian citizen.
Collectivism at its finest.
When in Muslim countries everyone is expected to obey their laws and reglious beliefs, especially the women to cover themselves in an appropriate way. Why are they allowed to discard our laws and regulations. We as Canadians aren't allowed to walk around with our faces covered. It is a rule that when you are in Legion you remove your hat out of respect , yet some insist on leaving on their turbans . If you don't like the laws and regulations of a country and can't adopt and accept them then don't emigrate.. Don't expect the country you chose to emigrate to should become a better form of your old country.
You mean the Turbans they wore during all the wars Indian troops fought and died side by side with the Canadians? The ones they wore when the Queen addressed them? The onese they wore when they accepted medals? You mean those guys? You are a coward for not recognizing the difference between asking someone to remove their hat (a purely cultural thing) vs a full face covering for citizenship. I guess its ok for them to die fighting beside us but not ok for them to be in the same social club with you. In the case of the Legion, is racism pure and simple (which is more endemic in the services than the regular population). It's all about keeping the clubs free of non-whites. Any man who will fight and die with me can sit and have drink with me - with his hat on!
And by the way you can't even get the people you want to hate and keep out of your club straight. The Turbans in the Legion issue were worn by Sikhs not Muslims. Its that kind of blind ignorance that just proves that racism is the true basis of the Legion's policy!
Yes I know it was Sikhs but worn for the same reason religious ones.
If they fought and died along side of us then they should also respect the Legions rules of removing any headwear out respect. You say it's a cultural thing.. So we are suppose to respect others cultures but ours are to be ignored .
You jump to the conclusion of not wanting to socialize with them... You said that not ME... What I said they should respect the rules of that club. If we were to go to socialize at one of their clubs would they expect us to respect their rules.. You bet they would and if we didn't i'm sure we would be asked to leave. Is the common courtesy of respect of the rule to repect those fallen too much to aks?
Your term of calling me a coward is out of place and makes absolutely no sense.
Sooth, actually Legion rules have indicated for years that Turbans are allowed.
I consider a man who can not do the obviously decent thing and bend the rules a little (in such a specialized case) to allow another to maintain their dignity in a situation such as this; a coward in the moral sense. By holding this line you have put hats above people and you have in fact decided in doing so that your fellow comrads in arms are not welcome in your club. You knowingly have not offered them a choice they can make and to say otherwise is nonsense. If you had a rule that every member must stand at attention and salute the flag - would you bend that rule if one of your comrads could not stand? Oh, but that's different right? [insert rationalization here].......
Freefaller: I mention it because at one time it was quite the issue and well documented one.
Russell: If you are going to keep responding to what I say please stop making assumptions.
1. I never said I hated any group.. that was your word.
2. Show me where I said that the Legion was MY club.
3. I did not say I didn't want to socialize with any group of people of any relgion.
4. I stated a fact of the turbans being an issue for the Legion which is a well documented fact.
5. The stable called it's time to return that High Horse your riding .....
6. You don't address that fact that any said group would bend their rules for others.
I have plenty of my own words I don't need yours put in my mouth....
1) your original post CLEARLY made it know that you thought people expecting to be accepted in the Legion while wearing their turbans was not acceptable to you. You were in fact USING IT AS AN EXAMPLE.
2) you CLEARLY STATE you did not think the club should bend their rules in this case
3) so you are not a member; for that alone and on that point only I will retract.
4) that you have issues socializing with certain people may be infered from your post which lacks any understanding of other peoples culture.
3) your last point is the lamest of all. You state and I quote (so as not to be accused of putting words in your mouth) "If we were to go to socialize at one of their clubs would they expect us to respect their rules.. You bet they would and if we didn't I'm sure we would be asked to leave. Is the common courtesy of respect of the rule to respect those fallen too much to aks?" So, if the rules of the club were in any way racially biased or gender biased, then it is OK by your argument? - people should just accept that right?
You make open ended statements and then attack when people draw obvious conclusions. The simple fact that you need long bullet-point clarifications and rebuttals are a clear indication that you need to learn to write more clearly. Say what you mean, and close off obvious avenues for misinterpretation.
My government will be hearing about this from me. If you can hear them say it, its good enough. This is harassment.
This Canadian does not approve at all.
PS: I hate religion with a passion, its all hate and intolerance, all of it. I say that before anyone calls me a Muslim or some BS. But I do NOT support racism or discrimination by anyone.
You are incredibly ignorant.
Islam is not a race, it is a cult/religion.
The racism card does not apply. LOL.
Freedom4Everyone - You're an idiot. Go back and read the story again.
While I too stand against decrimination; all rights have limits. Freedom of speech is limited by such things as slander or crying "fire" in a crowded room. Similarly there are specific times such as oath taking, giving witness, arrest, and other legal matters that require a persons face be visible. All freedoms come with limitations by necessity to suggest otherwise is simplistic at best.
Why mention racism, Freedom? This discussion is about Islam, which has adherents all over the world, of every hue. Race has nothing to do with this. You remind me of Hispanics in the US who scream "racism" when one wants them to use the official language of my country, i.e., English.
So you say you "hate" religion with a passion? Sounds like your intolerant and a typical bottom feeding liberal. Wishy washy and only take a stand for what is convienent at that moment in time. Hate is hate wishy washy one.
This is not discrimination, they are bringing Islam's inherent inequality to my country, Canadians have a right to say no to that.
I couldn't care less if they cover their entire body in 10m thick concrete at home, but while in public they should present themselves in a way that's identifiable.
I am not trying to be difficult but your statement confuses me. You passionately hate religion because it is based on "hate and intolerance". It seems that you might also be pretty intolerant yourself as well as slightly confused. Forgive my use of yet another intolerant religious statement but the passage that asks "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" might be one you should consider. Religion is a tool like anything else. Some people choose to use it to grow others use it justify their inner smallness. Might you not be doing the same thing in your own way?
Islam, the only religion where you can be killed for changing your mind. LOL.
Muslims are a cancer on western civilization.
Islam does not share western values, and is more akin to a cult.
ignorance and hate kills Koza something that you are full of
Having someone to give up some of his or her old country traditions is not too much to ask of the a who desires to be a citizen the newly-adopted country. When I arrived in the US decades ago, my grandfather's first act of allegiance to our new home was to strip the kids of their old country garb and put us in blue jeans. We were no longer Asian-Americans, but Americans. That attitude seems to have been lost over the years. New arrivals want the new country to change to fit them or else they will sue on the basis of discrimination. I say go back home if you don't want to be part of America.
Good for you Canada!
I agree that it is not out of line to request that the women show their faces while taking the oath of citizenship. The flip side of the coin however, is that they should be allowed to wear their veils at other times. Its called Religious Freedom, remember that? I would not want to be covered from my head to my feet but its part of the Islamic belief, and most of these women adhere to its tenets. Some of the women will have just a scarf covering the hair, (would you ask such a woman to remove her scarf)? Others prefer to be entirely covered. From this particular article, they are not telling them that they can never use their veils, just for this particular event they need to remove them. It has nothing to do with the fact that they now live in the West and for this reason the veils should be banned. I'll say it again, Religious Freedom.
You missed the point.
God bless Canada. Not like the sniveling garbage we have running our lives here, they have values in their country unlike here where anything goes. I don't believe that there is a nation in this world that has an ounce of respect for us, and it's understandible. Freedom of religion one moron quotes. My ass. It's a custom. I believe tha the women are so ugly, the men can't stand to look at them. If it is a religion, then what would be wrong with Voo Do? We could watch a women going down the street swinging a chicken by the neck, and when the body flew off her husband could catch it, and run for a touchdown. A little respect for your country, morons. If they can't acimilate then kick their ass out of here.
Good for vanada, I applaud this action. By all means, spend the rest of your miserable life hiding from men's lusts after you become a citizen, but have the decency to declare your alegiance to your new country unmasked and in the open.
How far do you think any of us would get if we went walking around the streets with our faces covered before we were approached by the police? Could we walk around covered from head to toe so that nobody could tell if we were male or female? Tint your car windows so dark that you can't be seen and see how far you get before you get stopped and handed a big fat ticket. Head scarves are the not the same thing as being covered from head to toe so not even your sex can be identified.
How far do you think any of us would get if we went walking around the streets of the Muslim world before we got our head chopped off.
I have walked around in a number of Muslim countries and have not gotten my head chopped off....and I am a woman who went without my hair covered. Imagine that!
Sapience, relax. There are hundreds of thousands of Westerners who live and work in Muslim countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, U.A.E., Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.) , they don't get their heads chopped off. Muslim countries have one of the lowest street crime rates in the world, you are a dozen times more likely to get killed on the streets of New York or Chicago or Cleveland, or wherever you're from.
And face veils is not even a religious tradition, it's just a part of the culture. It's like why some Christians are pro-gun and some anti-gun... nothing about guns in the Bible, it's just a cultural thing.
Way to go Canada. That was the right thing to do.
Good for Canada.
Oh... yea next time I renew my license they better not give sh!t because I'll be wearing a sky mask.
You morons... if you cant you cant comply with the rules of the country you are asking to become a citizen of... go back to your rat infested cave and blow yourself up.
Totally agree. Bad thing is that a lot of countries, and America, give in to the BS these useless sand diggers bring with them. Send them all to North Africa, Middle East, and wherever they like to live in their @!$%#-holes.
I won't trust anyone who hides thier face
be it a cop,criminal,or reliegous
Right here is the reason Canadians have given federal Conservatives a majority. Canadians are proud of many things like peaceful resolutions and tolerance, yet things have gone too far to the extreme and pragmatism needs to play. The other two parties, the Liberals and NDP, are the main purveyors this extreme -- things like resistance against user fees to maintain an evermore unstable universal health care system, resistance to incarcerating wrong-doers and resistance to properly funding the military have had many negative national repercussions under Liberal leadership. Libs also left us with policies for excessive tolerance tolerance to other cultures within our borders. Canadians realize that REASONABLE change in these areas would not happen under the Libs or NDP so putting the Conservaives in power will help get the pendulum to swing back.
I have been a fervent supporter of the Libs but I know that I have to hold my nose for a few more years for the Conservatives to correct these wrongs. Let Canada stop being a blind appeaser.
Everything that you list as what is wrong with Canada, more than half the country defines it as what is right. If you are telling true that you were once not with the far-right, ideological party we have in power, then you are not very smart. We are already losing credibility in the world, have lost the benefit that the Maple Leaf used to offer, and they are just getting started. In the end, I would be more angry at someone like you when our proud heritage as a reasonable, peaceful, inclusive people is damaged beyond repair, than I will be at those who actually voted for these idiots because they believe in the same things.
You got it hopingforsanity....my greatest fear is that Harpo is elected again! Seriously, we are as a country heading toward the definition of insanity...Doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting a different result! Though I do support the banning of face covering at a citizen ship swearing in or for getting ID like passports and driver licenses! So Yippee Canada!