Sir, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms does give right and freedom to every Canadian, among other things, to choose reasonable dress code, be it hijab, niqab or dress of his/her original country. (The Muslim News 27 October)

There should not be any restriction on the choice of dress code. And this issue should not be associated with any religion. Therefore, all citizens including women – Muslim or non-Muslim, have fundamental right to choose reasonable dress code for themselves. No one has right to dictate them for a particular or specific dress code i.e. what to wear and what not to wear.

For the purpose of public service, every citizen, irrespective of his/her religion, including a Muslim woman, have to show his/her true identity i.e. in case of Muslim woman, she has to remove her niqab temporarily in order to follow the law of the land.

There is nothing wrong in it since it is law of the land, Since Quebec has passed law forbidding niqab during accessing public services only – not forever, the purpose behind this law is not to target Muslim religion, since strictly speaking, niqab is not part of Islam, but it is a choice of individual under the dress code. It is a tradition and not compulsory in Islam religion.

Accordingly, those who are protesting niqab ban by Quebec during public service, should not give it religious colour since niqab is not part of Islam religion, but it is a choice for Muslim women.

Yours
Qasim Abbas
By Email