October 20, 2010
Source: The Globe and Mail
Quebec's Orthodox Jewish community appeared for the first time on Wednesday before a National Assembly committee, taking up an unexpected cause - fighting a bill that would ban the wearing of the Muslim niqab when receiving government services.
The Jewish Orthodox Council for Community Relations said by placing gender rights above religious rights, the bill would create a hierarchy of individual rights and freedoms that would be challenged before the courts. The group warned the government against adopting "hard and fast rules" that could exacerbate social tensions surrounding religious minorities.