Montreal mosque denies asking female construction workers to be barred from site

Members of a Montreal mosque are denying a TV report it asked for female construction workers to be excluded from a site opposite their building.

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They say they were surprised and astonished to hear about the report broadcast on the TVA network.

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In a statement, the Ahl-ill Bait Mosque said it has had good relations with the contractor since the beginning of the project.

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Moayed Altalibi says the mosque requested parking at lunchtime on Fridays because of prayer activities but never asked for anyone to be excluded from the site.

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The statement adds that such reports contribute to the social breakdown between Quebecers of Muslim and non-Muslim faiths.

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In Quebec City, Premier Philippe Couillard said a request for women to be barred from construction sites would be unacceptable but he made it clear it was not even sure whether it had even been made.