Burqa wearing banned in Canada for those taking citizenship oath

[alp227]

Muslim women will no longer be able to cover their faces as they take Canadian citizenship after the country's immigration minister announced a ban on anyone wearing the niqab – the face veil – or burqa – full body and face covering – while taking the oath of citizenship.

He said that he had received complaints from citizenship judges who had claimed that it was difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces were covered were actually reciting the oath.

"They told me last month that it's a fairly common problem. Every week, in every region of the country, we're dealing with situations where applicants arrive with a veil on," said Jason Kenney, the minister of citizenship and immigration.

"Frankly, I found it bizarre that the rules allowed people to take the oath with a veil on."

full: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/12/burqa-wearing-banned-canada

Not everything has religious exemptions, especially in public common functions like citizenship oaths. And what's the point of living in a country like Canada if a woman insists on following this archaic repressive religion even though she has the freedom to do so in that country?

[polly7]

1. Maybe many of these women don't see it as an archaic, repressive religion.

Or, possibly they do see parts of it as archaic, but love their families so much they couldn't be anywhere other than with them. Nothing is black and white.

[jberryhill]

2. Your question kind of answers itself, no?

Provided that she is not being compelled by another to wear it, which is a separate and distinct legal wrong, then it would seem that she wants to become a citizen of a country which respects her right to practice her religion.

How the judge would like to run his courtroom is up to the judge, to a large extent. As a practical matter, if he needs to see the oath-taking, then so be it - or get a female judge as an accommodation.

I do not know the extent of religious freedom in Canada, but taking the oath while requiring one to violate a tenet of a voluntarily held belief - again IF VOLUNTARY - strikes something of an odd chord.

[coffeenap]

3. Without judging, a suggestion:

Allow an occasional all-female ceremony. No covering needed, problem solved.

[CHIMO]

4. Kenney

Is trying to get into the news cycle. Plus they are trying to bury the negative news.

Attawapiskat chief threatens court action
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/12/attawapiskat-third-party-duncan.html

If the judge wants to be sure the person is speaking, then give the person a mike!
Jason also needs to bring in more money than the others. He is the bosses pet.