ENI – A Muslim group that opposes the maintenance in Canada of Shariah, part of Islamic law, is calling on the federal government to ban the wearing of the burqa in public, saying it “marginalises women.”
In addition to the burqa, a shroud that covers the entire body with only a mesh screen for the eyes, the Muslim Canadian Congress is also calling for a ban on the niqab, a head and face covering that allows only a slit for the eyes.
“In Canada we recognise the equality of men and women,” said Farzana Hassan, a spokesperson for the MCC. “We want to recognise gender equality as an absolute. The burqa marginalises women.”
The issue is also one of public safety said Hassan, noting that, “To cover your face is to conceal your identity.”
The Canadian Islamic Congress meanwhile, argued that the right to wear the garments is protected by Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
