Muslim community expresses thanks for support and encouragement received over niqab issue

March 24, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 24th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to the abundant support from citizens and journalists across the country in regards to the recent controversy over the niqab.

 

“We are overwhelmed by all the messages of support we have received from citizens around Canada, and also by all the letters to the editors, op-eds and editorials we have read in various Canadian newspapers,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is refreshing and uplifting to see such conscientious Canadians with a genuine concern for human rights and religious freedoms warning against the dangers of the state infringing on civil liberties by enforcing a ban against certain religious clothing. They have shown that this issue isn’t just about the niqab, rather it is about the values and freedoms guaranteed in our Charter.”

“These voices are coming from people of all walks of life, who may have different religious, cultural and personal beliefs, yet who are united as one by their universal values of respect, tolerance, human rights and freedom,” Elmenyawi said. 

 

Quebec Immigration Minister Yolande James authorized the expulsion of a Muslim student, a permanent resident of Canada, from a government-sponsored French language class at Cégep St. Laurent, after she alleged refused to remove her face covering. The Canadian Human Rights Commission will study the case in the coming months.

 

 

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

Fax: (514) 747-9139

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

 

The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) is an umbrella organization representing a number of Islamic institutions in the Montreal region. There are over 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion worldwide.

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