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The Soapbox: I used to wear the niqab and I think Quebec’s new law is a slap in the face of religious freedom

There are much bigger issues affecting Canada and the West to worry about than what a minority of women are wearing, says Sudbury resident Sajidha Bagha
Government has tarnished views of Muslims, says woman at heart of niqab debate
Sudbury resident Sajidha Bagha says in a country like Canada, Quebec’s new law banning face coverings for anyone accepting or providing a public service is a slap in the face to religious freedom. (CP)

By Sajidha Bagha

As a resident of Sudbury and a proud Canadian citizen, I find Quebec's new law on "face coverings" a little disturbing as it is obviously meant to target Muslim women who choose to wear the niqab.

I myself used to wear the niqab on my own accord and I do not wear it now — on my own accord.

We have so many issues to be concerned about, and yet Quebec chooses to focus on the small percentage of women wearing the niqab. I expected better from the current Liberal government in Quebec.

Even British colonialists accommodated the niqab and my grandmother's photograph spot in her passport was replaced by the words "purdah nasheen." In our times, women wearing niqab willingly comply with identification requirements as expected. The problem is the lack of understanding of the niqab by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. 

The purpose behind niqab is so that a woman is protected from harassment and unwanted attention, if she so wishes. This may not make sense here and the very mention of this would drive people to jump on the "oppression" bandwagon, but to a woman living in some parts of the world, it makes perfect sense. 

I hate to mention countries by name, but there are places where men stare at women unashamedly and do not hesitate groping in crowded places, such as public transport, given the chance. 

The niqab is a deterrent and protection for women in those places. 

Primarily, the niqab is worn by women who consider it their religious obligation. Doing so usually earns tremendous respect for the wearer in some circles, as she demonstrates her commitment to living by her religious dictate, as a woman of God. Her choice. 

Leave her be. The niqab expresses religiosity in the same manner as the apparel worn by monks or the habits worn by Orthodox Christians in Ukraine and Russia, or as the Orthodox Jewish garments do for the more observant.

There are some countries, such as Yemen, where almost all women in the country wear niqab and it is very rare to find a woman who doesn't. The niqab is embedded in the culture, whether a woman is religious or not. 

Then, there are countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, where very few women wear niqab save the very religious women who do so if they wish. 

Fortunately, I have not met any woman who has been forced to wear niqab. They do it of their own will. There are many stereotypes about many matters regarding Islam and Muslims, and I plead to everyone to make informed opinions. One time it was hijab being criticized. Then someone pointed out that the mother of Jesus wore a head veil,and  that the Queen of England also prefers going out with her head covered, as do nuns. 

Voila, made sense, and the issue was dropped for many. Education is paramount.

We have so many issues on hand that need our immediate attention and energies: Indigenous people’s rights, public funds given to Bombadier with guarantees that may never materialize, NAFTA, wildfires out of control in many places. The Quebec government has certainly placed its priories right! Sidetracking those issues and bringing focus on the handful of niqab wearing women in Quebec is pitting Canadians against Canadians. 

As a country that guarantees religious freedoms and women's rights, let women wear what they want. It takes courage to wear a niqab in the face of such continuous onslaught and I salute these women who wear them. Their stance only proves their strength to stand on what they believe, no matter the odds. They remind me of Mother Teresa.  

Sajidha Bagha lives in Greater Sudbury.
 


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