While for the time being it seems that the Charter is indefensible, due to its discriminatory and legally questionable nature, it also reflects a disturbing trend facing religious minorities, particularly Muslims, living in Western countries.
Photo by Ryan Remiorz/THE CANADIAN PRESS
to assume that religiously observant Quebecers would consider a pair of earrings with a crescent and star design or other religious symbols a fair substitution for an act of worship and religious duty as significant and important as the hijab, turban, or kippa. The Charter has other inconsistencies. While claiming to uphold Quebec’s values and ensure “secularism” and the “equality” of sexes, Marois largely exempts Christian symbols such as the cross and Christmas trees. Yet, several Christian symbols will remain in government and public buildings. The cross on Quebec’s provincial flag will remain, as will the large crucifix which hangs in Quebec’s legislature behind the speaker’s throne. Christmas trees in government buildings also would be exempt. Another notable exemption is the cross atop Montreal’s Mount Royal, a landmark which
stands 30 metres (over 98 feet) high and can be seen from miles away. Christmas and Easter will remain public holidays. Marois and Quebec’s Democratic Institutions Minister Bernard Drainville say exemptions such as Easter and Christmas are “civic” holidays, and no longer have religious significance. “The crucifix is there to stay, in the name of history, in the name of heritage,” Drainville said. Ironically, elected public officials don’t have to remove their religious clothing once they enter office. Yet, a hijab-wearing elected official would “have to force employees to remove theirs.” Drainville struggled to respond to questions about the Charter’s inconsistencies, per Authier’s report. Marois has said in an interview that a
daycare worker or teacher wearing hijab gives “a connotation of a gap with respect to the equality of men and women, a kind of submission.” According to the Montreal Gazette, Marois said a hijab-clad “educator could also want to show children she is ‘a very good practicing (Muslim)’ and incite them to religious practice … she is in authority, this woman, with children.”
Reaction to the Charter Support for the Charter is higher in Quebec, a province which has long prided and promoted itself for having a distinctive FrenchCanadian identity and history, an identity which some believe is now threatened by immigration and increasing diversity. In 2007, the tiny village of Herouxville — which had not seen an influx of immigrants — drew national attention when it released
Demonstrators take part in a protest against Quebec's proposed Values Charter in Montreal on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013.
Islamic Horizons November/December 2013
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