Since the summer of 2013, Quebec’s now-infamous Charter of Values has made countless headlines across the country. Initially, I wondered: “Why would the Parti Québécois propose something like this?”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper stands with Dr. Andrew Bennett (right) and National President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Canada, Mr Malik Lal Khan after naming Bennett ambassador to the Office of Religious Freedom in Maple, Ontario, in 2013
Fast forward to early January, when a student’s request at York University sparked a firestorm of controversy after he asked to be excused from working with females for religious reasons, and I again wondered at the inordinate amount of controversy.
But after last week’s tragic death of a Muslim woman in a Montreal Métro station, when her scarf got entangled in an escalator, it has now become very clear what all the fuss, in all of these cases, is about.
In a word, this is all about Islam.
Categories: Americas, Canada, ISLAMOPHOBIA, Law and Religion, Religion, Religious Harmony, Women, Women Rights
Judo Christianity too asks women to wear veils (I Corinthians 11:3-10). We see nuns wearing Hijab and modest attires, church goers and many Jews women in hats and long dresses. This is all in alignment with Judo Christian teachings. The fact is that most Muslim women even today live by their religious teachings whereas most Judo Christian women have stopped doing so.
It is too invasive for governments to dictate by law what people should wear. Canada is a land where all communities enjoy freedom and such laws go against the very basic spirit of such freedom.
The lesson is “If the political leaders do not want interference from religious persons, it is better to leave the religion alone and politics should not interfere in the harmless, non-political habits of people based on their faith matters.”
The Quran says, “O children of Adam, keep your adornment at every place of worship. Eat and drink and do not be wasteful….” (Chapter 7 of Quran)
The Sikh community should also be permitted to keep turban and wear the dress of their choice. Every country people will come to God in their own adornment (beautiful dresses). People slowly adopt new habits. They should not be pressed to adopt by any order.
Some times it surprises me the way people and media these days talk and comment about Hijab. Various head coverings and modest dress have always been part of every religion and culture. People shouldn’t really be surprised about head coverings and such, its been among the world for centuries!
On a personal note, I think the decision of the Parti Quebecuois is actually a protest against the excesses of the intolerant immigrants claiming to follow the religion of Islam.
However bad the behaviour of people practicing “public display of religious exhitibionism” may be, the Quebec government should not answer injury with injury.
Global peace is need of hour. Peace comes from tolerance. Intolerance leads to absence of peace. The single most important malady of the world today is the absence of peace. Politicians of Quebec want political peace or Global peace?
His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed(may God strengthen his hands),his fifth successor says:
“It is also made clear [in Islam] that all people should be granted equal rights without any discrimination or prejudice. This is the key and golden principle that lays the foundation for harmony between different groups and nations and for the establishment of peace.”
Malik Lal Khan’s article analysed the prevailing situation well.
Harmony in Multiculturalism is the hallmark that puts Canada above every other country.Let us regect anything that threatens Peace, Respect and Love.
Excellent article,i totally agree with what is mentioned above by respected Lal khan sahib .To grow as a nation it is very important to live in peace and harmony and respect each other.
Excellent article,i totally agree with what is mentioned above by respected Lal khan sahib.
Tolerance for others is about appreciating diversity,the plurality of modern society,and being willing to live and let others live too.when we fail to tolerate other,s beliefs,ways of being and opinions,the end result can be discrimination,repression,dehumanization,and ultimately voilence.Practicing tolerance is at the heart of living peacefully.
So well written Article. Excellent comments.Indeed Unity is a key of success. Being Proud Canadian don’t let steal this precious key by enemies of peace. Be united and rule the world as a most diverse Nation on the Globe. God bless Canada.
I completely agree with the impressive article of our respected Amir Sahab Lal khan Malik.Every person of every religion has the complete right to practice his religious teachings.and live according to the values which that specefic religion has taught.So if the woman want to wear scarf n the modest attire its her complete right.and creating laws n comments will leave the society not peaceful.
These days it is common to see Muslims protesting discrimination in the West if they perceive any laws aimed at what they claim to be a religious practice. In the above article it seems that practice of veiling is being defended.
Almost all religions have something to say about how women should dress. Islam is no exception. But I also know that followers of these religions constantly debate what is the correct teaching. I think someone should define “hijab”. Some include face, others don’t. Is “niqab” a necessary part of the Islamic Veil or a “Shuttlecock” burqa should be required. Or just decent dress which is not revealing is enough. Can “dopatta” be acceptable as a head cover, or a large “chadder” is necessary. Or it is a personal decision?
People also make claims that religions are innocuous, innocent and harmless. Religions mean nothing but good for everyone. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Every religion without exception has grabbed political power, punished all those who do not agree with them and has a long and painful history of persecution of others and their own. Religions are only good when they have some checks and balances like any other system. Therefore there is no harm in governments to try and regulate certain religious practices which may be oppressive.
All religions complain about discrimination against them wherever they live. Christians also complain of discrimination against them even in the Christian majority countries. But no religion grants this equality to others. In fact religions persecute those who do not agree with their interpretations among their own followers. Religions do not allow freedom within their own groups much less to others. Religions believe that coercion is a tool for reform. They constantly purge those from their ranks who disagree with them in the interpretation of their Faith.
In weakness everyone is for equality and freedom. But only when power comes we can see the true colors.
God says in the Holy Quran, “And if Allah did not repel some by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques”. So let religious people celebrate diversity and not try to convert others to their faith. Let them celebrate the atheists and let us see the limits of their toleration!!
@cs. Religions are not a product of human imagination.so nothing personal is involved. Niqab is a part and parcel of veiling. More religious laws are not like secular laws. These secular laws are good or bad for man. we all could discover that failure of political systems and their inherent defects are responsible for misères and dissatisfaction of people. I here just want to mention one of the worst aspect of secular law. Canada has legalized prostitution ! To all of us as human being this is the HORRENDOUS TO MANKIND. And actually the custom of exposing women has led to this industry of prostitution, which is an ugly form of exploitation of women. You are right by having a opinion that Allah should repel some by means of others so save MANKIND.
Incomplete knowledge sometimes misleads.
The quoted verse of Quran must be read in full context to fully comprehend the meaning:
22:40] Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged — and Allah indeed has power to help them —
[22:41] Those who have been driven out from their homes unjustly only because they said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ — And if Allah did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft commemorated. And Allah will surely help one who helps Him. Allah is indeed Powerful, Mighty —
Following two verses of Holy Quran state Islam’s teaching about religious tolerance for bringing unity among nations.No other faith celebrates diversity in a complete sense.
[5:9] O ye who believe! be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of what you do.
To see the limits of a Muslim’s tolerance see below
the commandment of God regarding it:
And revile not those whom they call upon Allah, lest they, out of spite, revile Allah in their ignorance…
(Ch.6:V. 109)
You must have read the well known incident of religious tolerance when the Holy Prophet permitted a Christian delegation to perform their religious service in his mosque. World history has yet to produce this kind of respect and tolerance for the faith of others.
Holy prophet’s life is full of such incidents. He has seen both phases; subject or common man as well a ruler. You cannot quote a single incident when he let go his tolerance.
According to the Islamic culture women wear hijab to express modesty. They are not force to wear it but intact wear it based on their own will. The reason for wearing the hijab is to prevent attention from the opposite sex. Allah has provided commandments in order to safeguard and protect oneself from harm. I also agree with the article that our respected Amir Sahab Lal khan Malik wrote. Everyone has a right to practise their religion and they should not be forbidden to do so. For this reason, if women want to wear a head covering they should not be stopped but should be respected for continuing their spiritual values and belief.
A negative stigma about religion is very common in western societies nowadays. Due to excessive terrorism and extremism around the world, Muslims are widely discriminated. Out of bunch, French Government, was the first one, banned Muslim ladies hijab in France. Quebec has a history to follow them. It is absolutely women right to wear as they want. It is unfortunate that women are still discriminated in this modern age, i.e. abortion laws and rights are decided by men in the parliaments, underpaid in job market, lesser or no support in abuse(in some societies) and likewise many women discriminatory issues. Regardless of religious practices, Hijab has a higher place in general value system. It is practiced by not only Muslims, but other faiths, societies and groups. Quebec has a history to create issues to prove as distinct society in a price of any unrest. It always comes from France. In sixties, President De Gaulle called for Quebecers for freedom from Canada. That caused many riots and lives. So These separatists are touching an other sensitive issue to create another unrest. Muslim women must have right to wear what they like in Canada. I fully agree with the account of the president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mr. Lal Khan.
An excellent article, discrimination and intolerance CANNOT bring peace to a society, it can only create unrest in the society. Only tolerance and patience towards one another can bring peace and harmony.