No niqab during the oath
The wearing of a niqab or burka while taking the oath of citizenship is totally unacceptable. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is absolutely right in calling the wearing of this facial covering “offensive” when joining the Canadian family. In fact, it is offensive to many of us to see women covered with the niqab or burka at any time.
Women have worked long and hard for equality in this country. Demanding the right to cover one’s face, a degrading sign of anonymity, is the thin end of the wedge. The next demand will be to teach in schools while covered up. Do we learn nothing from the experience of European countries? If the law thinks the covering of the face is about religious freedom then as Charles Dickens stated, “the law is a ass – a idiot.”
Angela Bailey, Ottawa
Singling out Muslim women
One thing we Canadians can rely upon is that Stephen Harper will take offence at anybody who does not hold the core values of his mythical Canadian family. He finds it offensive that woman wear a veil during a solemn ceremony. Last time I went to a traditional Christian wedding the bride wore a veil.
Conversely I would be offended if the law required my wife to strip down for any ceremony. Harper is showing contempt for the Canadian judicial system and basic human rights by appealing yet another high court ruling.
Stephen Harper does not represent me when he singles out Muslim women for wearing veils while taking the Canadian citizenship oath.
Robert Froom, Ottawa
