Quebec passes law forcing Muslim women from wearing niqab while using public services

Apparently this applies to staff at the Provincial and municipal level providing public services (including public transit), as well as those receiving the services.

The bill requires citizens giving and receiving public services to do so with their faces uncovered, and is seen as "... necessary for "communication reasons, identification reasons and security reasons."

your thoughts, SW? No hateful comments please

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-niqab-burka-bill-62-1.4360121?cid=

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CopperCicada · M

It's a tricky thing.

Scenario A: legislation which bans niqab and burqa in contexts X, Y and Z.

Scenario B: legislation which demands that individuals have fully visible facial features for security identification and so on in contexts X, Y and Z.

Both scenarios have the same outcome. In fact, Scenario B covers a broader set of problems than Scenario A. People with masks, costumes, surgical masks, and so on.

So why word it in a cultural/religious context?

Salix75 · 46-50, F

@CopperCicada good point. I suppose because most people getting on a bus, or using the services of bank teller or librarian for example, don't do it while wearing surgical masks, costumes etc. ?

CopperCicada · M

For the record, I'm not making a defense of niqab and burqa here. I'll be honest. They both sort of give me the shivers. But we can deal with some of this stuff without giving some of the political baggage.

CopperCicada · M

@Salix75 It's just a way of side-stepping political baggage IMHO.

And people do wear ski masks, costumes, surgical masks cuz of allergies and being hypochondriacs, and so on.

Salix75 · 46-50, F

@CopperCicada I hear you. I am uncomfortable when I can't see someone's face. But I also don't like legislation telling people what they can/can't wear etc. I'm very uncertain as to how I feel about it myself, which is part of the reason I posted this question,I guess.

Ok, I can take your point on some of those facial coverings. I guess I've just never seen it happen. In winter, I see people hop on a bus with their face covered with a scarf, and they pull it down when they flash their bus pass to the driver.

CopperCicada · M

@Salix75 I personally think there are a whole series of religious entitlements than need to be squished.

Nothing anti-Islamic-- but you need to show your face for security reasons.

Nothing anti-Semitic-- but if you're an ultra-orthodox Jewish male, it's sort of your drama if a woman is booked into a plane seat next to you. Don't expect to be accommodated.

there are others that escape me now...

Salix75 · 46-50, F

@CopperCicada I agree