Two Muslim mothers in Quebec say they have been told they can no longer volunteer at their children’s elementary schools because they wear hijabs.
Sabaah Khan, a resident of Brossard, says she has spent more than a decade volunteering at her children’s schools, helping with activities ranging from library duties to vaccination days.
“Volunteers are needed because the teachers and the staff are very overworked, and they need a lot of help,” Khan told Global News in an interview.
Khan says staff at the Riverside School Board recently told her she could no longer volunteer because of her hijab. “I’m from here and my kids are from here,” she said. “And I’m being told that my free time is not good enough.”
Quebec’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government under Premier François Legault banned teachers from wearing religious symbols on the job in 2019. Last year, the CAQ government barred all school personnel from wearing religious garb while at work.
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Khan says there has been confusion about how the rules are being applied. Someone recently questioned whether she was allowed to enter a school gymnasium to watch her son play basketball.
“(My children) are constantly looking while playing to make sure mom’s still sitting there,” she said. “It’s just not fair, and the damage it is doing to my kids is very difficult.”
Another Quebec mother, Asma Qureshi, says she and her husband will be providing food for their child’s graduation, but she has been told by the same school board that she cannot serve it at the event. “We pay our taxes, we are law-abiding citizens, but we are still made to feel like second-class citizens just because of the way we look,” she said.
Both women say they do not blame the schools or school board, saying staff who delivered the news appeared to have little choice.
In a statement, the Riverside School Board said it will approach the implementation of the legislation that bans all school personnel from wearing religious garb — Bill 94 — with professionalism and care and ensure staff are informed and supported.
The office of Quebec’s education minister said all parents who wish to get involved in their children’s school are welcome, provided they do not wear religious symbols.
“Students must be able to learn in a neutral environment, free of religious pressure, and in keeping with Quebec’s values of gender equality,” the statement said.
Khan says wearing a hijab is her choice. “This is a part of my choice to dress modestly and you can’t take away my right to my freedom of choice,” she said.
Khan and Qureshi say they plan to keep speaking out against Bill 94 in hopes things will change.
For the full story, watch the video above.
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Quebec not ruling out expanding religious symbol ban to daycare or college workers
That’s a good thing
Oh well
This is disgraceful. How can this law, ridiculous in it’s premise as it is, be applied to volunteer parents? These women should challenge this in court. I am so sad to read this article and realize the extent to which this has deteriorated our values in Quebec. As a volunteer parent, I know firsthand how rewarding it is for both parents and students, not to mention what the school gains. Shameful.
Canada has already bent over and taken it up the rear without lube enough over the massive immigration the last few years. Go back to whatever Muslim country and leave Canadians alone. Practice your female enslaving religion somewhere else and stop taking away classrooms to turn into freaking prayer rooms!! Our children deserve better!!
you can trust the froggies (European or north American) to worship their laïcité.
After all, birds of a feather…
Good new make my day.
Good. We can’t religion especially the Muslim religion get into the public sector.
Islam is a religion of conquest. We will all bow to Islam under Muslim influence. Expel every single one and turn away any that come to our borders. Once their numbers are high enough, there will be no more freedom of anything. The Charter of Rights a
Follow our rules and way of life .
Old news
This is Equality for all. Its NOT targeted at one Religion or Race. Why is GlobalNews ONLY bothered when it is one religion that feel they are targeted when the ruling is for all alike. The adamancy of these not to adhere, rather paint themselves as vctims, gives rise to a false narrative that builds and snowballs into something untoward. Once again, it comes across that a Western Majority Chrstian country having to adapt to ONE, while all the rest follow uniformly.
This is ridiculous. The students pass women with head scarfs in the street all the time. There’s no harm in them knowing that Muslims exist, especially if they’re offering their time to volunteer.
Agree 100% – sending a message to young girls that they need to cover as not to offend some god has no place in our schools.
Asking all the commenters claiming this is racism or discrimination to explain what white people or non-Muslims are allowed to do that non-white or Muslims aren’t? As far as I understand, the rules here apply equally to all race and religion.
Religion should not be in schools unless it’s a specific religious school…kids are there to learn. If you don’t like it then change to another school that practices your religion ?
I agree with the Quebec Government 100%. Secularism should be the norm in public places. Keep religion and its symbols in places of worship and the home. The government has removed crosses from the schoos and banned Christmas events to appease minorities. Now these minorities need to conform as well. Bravo to Quebec!
Good for Quebec! Too much violence and war can be attributed directly to religion. It’s not hyperbole when it is said religion is the number one killer of people. Never mind the fact that this particular religion is responsible for keeping the equality of women hundreds of years behind the rest of the world.
Allowing religious symbols in school would allow everyone to integrate more fully, IF Canadian youth all has a home that could cover the variety of very sensitive and pressing topics. They do not as the adults are experiencing hardships. Following that logic, to be fair to youth who are the ones who watch front row, maybe we could give them one space where science reigns supreme?
We just have to put things in order. For example, has anyone thought of a polytheist school where spirituality is part of the education system and students have access to all directions? A public school should be free of religion imho but I’m very open to a new type of school that fills the growing need for an integration of our populations rich diaspora.
This is what happens when religion card is used too much for everything. People get tired of ” I can do this cause of my religion” well now everyone has no rights when it comes to religion. People are tired all around the world from Islam using the religion card at any chance they get. This is canada you are free to do what you want at your own homes but not in public just as much as I can drink beer in my own home but I’m not going to public schools while drinking beer
Good
And stay there, we don’t really want you here anyways. This is not a Muslim country and NEVER will be!
I completely understand the idea of banning the full burkha.
However, this seems a bit extreme since they are not covering their faces entirely.
Nuns cover their heads, and many people wear scarves as a fashion statement.
These are the rules, and this is how it is. Christians are not allowed to express their religion in public, nor are Jewish, so don’t expect special treatment for practicing Islam. Please stop trying to change Canada into the country you were escaping.
Quebec needs to get their heads out of their butts! These people are people just like the rest of us! This is not right and not fair! This is NOT my Canada.
Good. They can go live in a Muslim country if they don’t like it.
Islam is poison, keep it away from children. Look what’s happening in Britain. They want to change our way of life!! Become a Christian
My kids cannot have Christmas concert as offends Muslims. So quit whining about your scarf. You are not law abiding citizens. Good for Quebec. Boo hoo
Muslim women in school with infidel children?
Quit trying to change laws! Dangerous
Oh great trot out the token victim card again, it really gets tiring and old. Professional victimization claimants looking for public sympathy & probably changes to our laws to be exchanged for their strict adherence or else based laws. WHY not just adjust & try integrating into the new country & it’s customs & laws. The rest of us have to practice our beliefs either at home or other designated places. 😢
Quebec should be ashamed of such racist behaviour .
Good.. ban middle east. Dont come here asking ua to change pur ways. You moved here , change your ways or leave. Canada no longer wants middle east here.
Why are these immigrants trying yo change all out heritage they cried and whined until we couldn’t until. We couldn’t say merry Christmas anymore and we couldn’t pray in our schools If they don’t like our ways why don’t they go back to their own countries.
Too bad your choice if you don’t like it there’s a lot of other countries you can go to practice your beliefs.
Finally some good news
That is excellent news. Thank you reporting.
There have been Muslims just as there have been Jews, Christians, and every other group of believers and non- believers in Canada before we were even a country. Men and women from all these groups fought and died for this country. We need to be different from our neighbours to the south and treat every Canadian (whatever they believe) with respect . And if you are afraid of 2 intelligent smart ladies who wish to serve the wider community and just
happen to wear a scarf over their heads then you have bigger problem that need to be resolved.
.
Rules apply to everyone. Why do people think that they are special? L€@ving is always an option
Change school board or province. No-one should tell you how to dress as long as yr face is not covered
They are not abiding citizens if they are not respecting the laws.
Change school board or province
They are not abiding citizens if they don’t respect the law !
boo hoo
You are in Canada now abide by our rules.
Good! Keep your religion out of school.
Multiculturalism equals no culture. Good on Quebec for having standards that represent THEIR PEOPLE.
Are Hotels public property Geoff? No
Some people have a staggering level of stupidty
In a country like Canada, this sort of discrimination has no place! It violates so much of what we stand for both legally and morally. The Quebec government might say it is a stand against “religions” but dictating whether a woman can wear a scarf on her head (for whatever reason) smacks of simply trying to interfere in the private lives of its citizens not to mention plain old discrimination. Shame on the Quebec government!
Its funny how some fools shout out the word descrimination when Muslims aren’t allowed to get their way in schools, yet when those muslims object to Christmas nativity plays at school until they get them cancelled for good the same fools think thats ok.
If they are going to do that, please ban all bibles in hotel room as offensive religious symbols!
How come expression o sexual preference and sexuality is ok but your religious belief and culture is not?
Whatever happened to the melting pot diversity and equality talk of the days of olde? The folly and stupidity of federalists in Quebec never ceases to amaze me. The PQ and a free Quebec would be more free than this mafia-infested imperial province of decay.
The bots sure love commenting about Muslims. The e-transfer of shekels are coming in hot and fast with these cut and pastes.
The rule was that NO ONE in public office was to wear religious symbols. Plain and simple!!!! There’s no discrimination against any religion.
The irony. The comments here about Muslims adapting to Canadian values, allthewhile complaining about Christmas being banned in public places.
That’s how it should be…..easy way to inculcate youngsters into Islam and radicalize them.
Give me a break. Is this a free country or not? Stop discriminating! In this capacity, people should t be able to wear hoodies, baseball caps, anything that identifies as canadiana. Foolish
If there are rules, follow them. There are far bigger problems.
Policing how we can dress in public spaces – this is Taliban stuff, but done by the CAQ here in Québec.
To the two women fighting this- there are many of us here who are not immigrants or children of immigrants and we do support your right to dress as you please.
The other comments here are just as disgusting as I assumed they would be. People are racist, ignorant and just downright cruel.
Suck it up buttercup
If you want to come to our country, Canada, abide by our rules not what you want to do.
It’s not just muslims its every religion,cant wear Christian crosses cant where Jewish head things, sorry i dont know what they are called, just like you cant wear gang related items in certain places…. I mean get right down to it every religion is a gang, they have the same beliefs hang out with people of the same beliefs and threaten or avoid anyone that does not share their beliefs.
Also, I won’t wear my cross. I am tired of Islam trying to take over us. The rules applies to everyone.
Tough. Obey the law in Quebec. become a Christian and that would solve the problem.
where is my commen
The laws apply to everyone equaly,if you don’t like it,go back where you come from……………
I see more of this push of thought on our reserves and my indigenous communities. They are pushing for more islam. We might not all agree on everything.. but this we agree on. keep it out.
Does this apply to kippah’s as well?🤔
The headline should read Volunteers insist on shoving their cult on children. Quebec is showing the rest of Canada that some who come here want to change our system to the one they left.
Respect school! Canada is Canada. If you move to Canada- take canadian rules, clothes, culture. If you don’t want- stay in your country.
This is ridiculous. They are volunteering. Who cares about someone’s religion
So, does this mean if I lived in Quebec and volunteered at the schools I can’t wear my cross necklace there. Come on people get real. Why is a headscarf a big deal? In checlosovacia (spelling ?) women I think wore headscarves. I thought Canada was strong and free????🤔. I just don’t get it.
What about the choices of the other parents who wish their children to learn in an neutral environmental setting where religious symbols are to be non existent ?
Good job.. we must discard such regressive practices and those who embrace those
thats life in quebec, get used to it
Did you come this country to join our society or did you come this to reestablish your society within this society?
Okay everyone, say it with me. THIS IS CANADA – C A N A D A. Its not that difficult people
Agree!
Awesome! Keep them OUT!!
Only Quebec would get away with this. If any other province tried it the federal government would have something to say real fast. I guess it’s called protecting votes
Fit in or go back to your country.
Wow! I remember when mini skirts were an issue in our schools. I can t believe some of the hate I read in the comments. There’s a greater issue at play other than clothing. I myself dont think anyone should be allowed to wear anything other than red and white clothing.
One set of rules, fit in or go home .
Muslim values are not canadian values
Why do these people come to other countries and think they can change the rules and laws. It’s time if they don’t want to follow the rules kick them out. I’m sick of changing laws, look at the motorcycle helmet law. Stop changing for any immigrant. If we went to their country we’d be stoned or whipped if we whined and cried like they do. We don’t need these third world people here. We need to follow Japan with what they’re doing with immigration and visitors, it’s a great idea.
In the countries where their religion reigns, these women wouldn’t be allowed an education, nor would they even be allowed outside without a male escort. How about we report that first.
Boo hoo boo hoo. No religion in schools. Conform or leave.
All religious symbols are not allowed. Muslims never follow rules other than the ones from their countries of origin. Just because you have Canadian citizenship doesn’t mean you live here while making born and bred Canadians conform to your ideology. This nonsense has to stop.
Do what the Muslim woman who won the great British bake off did. Hide your hair, they can’t make you show your hair, but do it in a way that isn’t obviously about your religion.
Subject to the limits that can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
See its the same clause that they use to freeze bank accounts and force you to take a toxic vaccine.
Welcome to Canada
This is daring and demeaning God through his own creations pretending it’s “religious pressure” the kid would rather go half naked at school but not wear let’s say a rosary to school?Really?
Boo hoo. You came to this country for a new life . Play by the rules. If you don’t like it, leave.
They came to Canada from countries where wearing a Cross or Star of David was barred so they should understand that a public school is a place where education is taught and not a place of religious affirmation. They are there to learn to study reading, writing, mathematics, science, history and Canadian civics in a secular classroom,
I can’t participate in life in a Muslim country unless I wear one so the same applies here. Don’t wear one unless you want to participate.
Damn right I don’t want these primitive believers anywhere near my daughter’s , can’t believe we let them in the country with their Neolithic intellectual polution
Ou la taqiya va se nicher !
Ne pas confondre le droit de s’habiller modestement et celui d’obéir à un entrisme religieux 🙄
Nice to see, too bad Quebec is the only place to defend Canadian culture.
And no one says anything because Quebec is untouchable! Any other province and the world is going to hell!