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Published: 155 days ago
" Has Mr. Jason Kenny become the Grand Mufti of Canada who now gives Fatwa on what is allowed and what is not allowed in Islam? Does he understand that Hajj has many exceptions to the norms, uncovering the face being one of many?
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 By A. Qayyum Mufti
Immigration Minister’s latest decision on banning the Niqab at the Oath-taking ceremony has left me thinking, what kind of democratic process we are following?
Is it the democracy where a Minister takes a major policy decision without consulting the parliament and enacts a law based on complains from some MPs and judges?
It is surprising while the same issue is being discussed at the Supreme Court of Canada, there is no regard given to our judiciary system in delivering this ministerial order.
Taking oath of Canadian citizenship is a serious matter; in fact any oath is to be taken serious anyway.
Let’s see how our Citizenship Oath ceremonies are held and how the oath is administered. Generally a group of (sometimes 100 or more) would-be citizens are gathered together in front of the judge, who administers a collective oath at the same time.
The whole ceremony’s focus is not only to formally award the citizenship to individuals but also to celebrate the diversity of culture, religion, and ethnicity, of which Canada is a shining example for the whole world.
Does the judge see everyone (sometimes 100s) whether they are actually reading the oath loudly? Does he/she watch everyone’s lips? Does he/she hear everyone what they are saying?
All of the above is humanly not possible, unless we change the entire system to take one on one oath.
This whole ceremony works on the basis that every person becoming a Canadian citizen is an honourable person and would adhere to laws of the country, including reciting the oath they are taking.
Even if we wanted to make sure the person is reciting the oath then one can be asked to recite the oath in front of the female judge, in privacy, with face uncovered.
This is not the only solution but one of many already being practiced.
From the time an immigrant lands on the Canadian soil, he/she knows that it’s the land of honour where laws are made based on human dignity and respect.
Then how come at the very moment when a person is taking the honour of becoming a Canadian citizen would be told that this is the beginning to seize any human rights that you were told to enjoy in Canada?
What right anyone has, including Citizenship Minister, to tell you what your religion dictates or what practices he would approve of being part of your religion and what practices, whether you deem it to be part of your religion, he would disapprove of as being your religious practices?
It’s similar to telling the Protestants that the Cross you wear is not part of Christianity as long as it conforms to the Cross worn by Catholics or the other way around, or telling all Sikhs to wear the same colored turban, not yellow, red, or blue as you may think Sikhism dictates.
As long as one’s religious practices do not harm others, one is free to express him/herself. Kirpan, even being a weapon, is allowed to be worn based on the very same principles. According to Supreme Court of Canada, children are allowed to carry Kirpan in school, with some precautions.
Mr. Kenny has explained that since women performing Hajj are required to uncover their face, therefore he doesn't think its part of Islam to cover the face.
My question is: Has he become the Grand Mufti of Canada who now gives Fatwa on what is allowed and what is not allowed in Islam?
Does he understand that Hajj has many exceptions to the norms, uncovering the face being one of many?
First it was our Prime Minister Stephen Harper who thinks the biggest threat to Canada is "Islamicism”, now it is his Immigration Minister who is barring people from becoming citizens, especially the Muslim women.
Whether one agrees with women’s wearing the Hijab/Niqab or not, as long as a woman thinks devoutly that it’s her religious duty to observe the veil, then no one has the right to stop her in doing so because he thinks that this is not part of her religion.
I urge the Immigration Minister to take back his decision and have the freedom of expression and religion prevail.
Let’s not only keep Canada the torch bearer of human rights and dignity but also improve upon areas where we are still not there yet.
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A. Qayyum Mufti is a known Khateeb in the Muslim community. For several years, he has been involved in politics, interfaith work, and helping Canadian charities such as Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the Credit Valley Hospital. He is an advocate of peace and harmony in wider communities and building bridges among faith communities.
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32 Comments
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Mariam
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Trudeau's statement that the state has no place in the nation's bedrooms is totally out of place in this context because nobody is denying the woman's right to wear what she wants in her house. First of all, Trudeau did not mention wardrobe. We are talking about a specific situation in public when taking the oath of citizenship. The Govt does have limited rights when it comes to dress in public. For instance there are laws banning total nudity in public. Going by Fuzail's argument, should all these laws be repealed?
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Fuzail Siddiqui
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Trudeau made Canada what it is by giving us the charter of rights. He once said, "the state has no place in the nation's bedrooms". I feel it is fair to extend this to, "the state has no place in the nations wardrobes." If the Honourable Minister is allowed to get away with his high handedness, where will it all end? Tolerance starts with accepting things we do not like. It is revealing to note that instead of dealing with major problems facing his Ministry, the Minister choses to bash an insignificant minority inside a minority in the Canadian rainbow. To protect the rights of non-niqabis we need to protect the freedom of choice of the niqabis.
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Wasifah
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Yes to Freedom but re wardrobe, there are dress codes EVERYWHERE: Some places say no jeans allowed, some schools/jobs have uniforms, some don't allow flip-flops, short skirts, leggings/jeggings, graphic tees, etc., then there are black-tie events... the list goes on - There are rules everywhere! Nudists can claim strong beliefs too but sometimes they just got to put on some clothes. This is a free country for all, yes, but seriously, I'd like to go work in my pjs but I think my boss might have a problem with that so I have to obey the rules, and as a Muslim, I also have to obey rules aka LAWS IN CANADA.
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Wasifah
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Yes to Freedom but re wardrobe, there are dress codes EVERYWHERE: Some places say no jeans allowed, some schools/jobs have uniforms, some don't allow flip-flops, short skirts, leggings/jeggings, graphic tees, etc., then there are black-tie events... the list goes on - There are rules everywhere! Nudists can claim strong beliefs too but sometimes they just got to put on some clothes. This is a free country for all, yes, but seriously, I'd like to go work in my pjs but I think my boss might have a problem with that so I have to obey the rules, and as a Muslim, I also have to obey rules aka LAWS IN CANADA.
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Mariam
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Muslims should be welcoming the Government ruling on niqab. It is sad that some muslims are protesting over it especially because covering the face and hands is definitely not an obligation and there is almost total agreement on this in Islamic circles. Dar Al-Ifta has issued fatwa regarding the niqab according to which it is not obligatory for a woman to cover her face or wear gloves. There are several reasons given for this fatwa. 1. Quran verse 24-31 2. The actions of the companions are not proof that something is an obligation. Moreover, the niqab may have been specific to the mothers of the believers (the prophet's wives) 3. Anything that has multiple interpretaions cannot be used as evidence It is really sad to see that some muslims are objecting to the Govt ruling on niqab. The objection has no standing in Islam and it will only portray muslims in bad light. It is time we tell the Government that as law abiding citizens, we welcome the ruling.
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safia
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Im a Canadian-born muslim female living in Toronto where there are a lot of good people around as well as many bad apples. Not being able to see the face of a Niqabi scares me so much, I start to panic. I know Im not alone. Face masks cause fear as robbers disguise themselves, terrorists disguise themselves, bad people with bad intentions wanting to harm also disguise themselves. Banning face masks altogether would be plain common sense. Am I not entitled as a Muslim, as a Canadian, as a female to feel safe in this very fair, too accommodating, country.
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Muslim
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Niqab is not a necessity in Islam. But if a woman chooses to wear it there is nothing that should stop her in islam and especially in canada where "freedom" is a root value. As for the politics, muslims need to understand that many islamophobic people will go to any length to see muslim kids drop their "haya". Since kenny knows so much about islamic jurisprudence, i am sure he also knows that a female officer can see another womans face & identify her. This way they can identify her & she gets to follow her understanding of islam. BUT this solution does not go down their throat becoz it does not scandalize muslims & create hate.......hence these politicians chooses this path purposely so that they can sensationalize & get headlines.
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Sidrah
152 days ago
0 Takbeers
When I heard the ruling I was so happy and I'm so glad to see so many other strong muslim females also applauding this decision. Islam empowers woman! So let's show it... and our faces.
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Salma
152 days ago
0 Takbeers
We as muslims in Canada should whole-heartedly support and endorse the Government ruling as law abiding citizens of this country. It would be interesting to see why these niqabis have decided to head to Canada from countries where these burqa wearing niqabi women are highly "respected, honoured and revered". Even though some muslims would like us to believe that niqab is an essential part of religion, it is nowhere near a fardh in Islam to wear a burqa or a niqab. There have been several rulings against wearing niqab by muftis.
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Adam Lee
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
for all those wanna-be gora immigrants, people who deface Islam, and yet have not the courage to denounce their faith according to their actions, and judgemental people, try using the ounce of brain left, look at facts, and see there are a whole lot of 'WHITE' Americans and Canadians,who have converted and wear the niqab. Are they supposed to leave THEIR country and go to a place where you came from too? It may not be a Fardh in Islam, but if a muslim chooses to make it a part of their appearance who are you to say no? Please do not put WE infront of a personal opinion.
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Habeeba
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
Wearing niqab is not banned in public. Not as yet. We are talking about a special occasion - oath taking ceremony. By the way for your information, converts who are locally resident dont have to take oath of citizenship. They are citizens already. Canada is an all-embracing country. There is a lot to be thankful for. If you want to become a citizen of this great country, you can atleast not gripe about taking off a piece of cloth from your face. The vast majority of muslims do not have that piece of cloth on their face, anyway. Not only here but in the entire world.
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0 Takbeers
As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh, With all due respect, brother A. Qayyum Mufti, I hope that you did not 'borrow' the idea of Jason Kenney being the new Grand Mufti of Canada from my blog post: http://muslimmouse.blogspot.com/2011/12/jason-kenney-new-grand-mufti-of-canada.html If you did, I only wish that you had referenced my original article. In any case, to those commentators who claim that the niqab has nothing to do with Islam, please educate yourself as to the evidences (tafseer and ahadeeth) which prove strongly that the niqab was considered a part of hijab and was observed by the believing women at the time of RasoolAllah (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam). Do not make claims against Allah and His Messenger due to your own ignorance.
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Habeeb
152 days ago
0 Takbeers
The grand mufti of Egypt has already ruled that the niqab is un-islamic. Muslims in Canada who are fighting against the Govt ruling are doing a great disservice to Islam and the majority of muslims in Canada.
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Mohamed
140 days ago
0 Takbeers
The grand mufti in Egypt makes a lot of claims about a lot of things and many of them are politically driven and serv the land of Mubarak and his goons. We muslims need to go back to the roots and stop putting so much faith into the muftis and scholars alone (i.e. blind faith) and put our faith back where it belongs in Allah (swt). Read, understand and remember its okay to question ... With regards to the topic the only thing that bothers me is that in country where it allows so much freedom to do many things, this government feels that Niqab is top of the list... We need to understand the root issue and its about establishing identity which could be something done at some point during the process in a dignified manner. We all know this is long coming especially with many European nations taking anti-niqab/hijab positions.
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Arshad
152 days ago
0 Takbeers
I am very happy that the Canadian Government has taken the right step regarding niqab. This non -Islamic niqab brings a very bad name to Islam and as a muslim, I am offended to see niqabis. I dont know how anyone with an iota of common sense can support niqab when one sees niqabis clad in a black burqa on a hot summer day in public. It is a disgrace for Islam.
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Mahala
152 days ago
0 Takbeers
Couldn't agree with you more. As a Muslim female, I too am deeply offended when I see who-knows-who put a mask on their face. Hopefully, this first step will lead to an outright ban on the tribal garb inshaAllah so Muslim Sisters could really stand Poud and Free in this beautiful country that I'm grateful to be living in. A country that protects my religious rights - my real religious rights. Putting a piece of cloth on your face and calling it "religious" doesn't make it so. Bravo Mr. Kenny
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0 Takbeers
What happens to a person who is deaf, dumb or blind or doesn't speak the language. Would you provide Braile as an alternative. Hearing aids,or written declarations or a pen & paper for someone who is dumb....Yes! you do provide and you do make exceptions. On going through security cheques and immigrations through various countries around the world aswell as Canada a woman has the Right to be Body Frisked or Checked by woman officer therefore the same Ruling could be applied in the case of a 'Citizenship Ceremoney'. I really see no problem except those that detest Islam are showing their true colors OR using this for their 'Political Benefits'. ASK THEM to create a 'UNISEX WASHROOM' so that men & women can feel the equality of 'HUMAN RIGHTS' & do away with gender differences. BUT in the history or mankind this did not happened. WHY? are we not all HUMAN BEINGS, WHY? should women be seperate species. Achieve this equality first. Respected Mr. Jason Kenny, this is a cheap mistake on your end as you do know that there is NO ISSUE. Ask a layman and he/she could resolve this easily.
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Ahmed
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
Sad part is that the so called Muslims are happy about this decision and that is more damaging to Islam that the Non-Muslims. If you call yourself Muslim and wear a Hijab or a bikini...that's your choice and interpretation/weakness BUT don't go around calling the one's who wear Niqab as oppressed or extremists....c'mon people have you lost your senses???? And the same applies to the Niqabi's as well....don't go around bad mouthing those who don't seem to practice what you wear. We can advise each other but leave it to the individual to decide what is best for them. We all have to die and stand in front of ALLAH s.w.t so we better know the consequences of our actions. Salaam Alaikum
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0 Takbeers
Frankly speaking, I am a muslim woman that wears a hijab, but when I see a muslim lady wearing the nikab, they really attracts attention,ALLAH(swt) has completed our religion and wearing the nikab is not a part our the Islamic faith, it is cultural and a personal choice, are they going to take their citizenship photo with the hibaj? It is quite clear in Islam," obey the law of the land"
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Ahmed
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
It may not be part of YOUR religion but it is ours.
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Nasreen
152 days ago
0 Takbeers
What religion is that? My religion is Islam and niqab is not part of mine and I'm not aware of any other religion that requires women to cover face. So what are you talking about? I read Quran and just cant find anywhere where God Almighty says to cover face, but I DID find in it "We have not neglected anything in the Book". Please can you tell me where this veiling instruction can be found in the HOLY BOOK of my religion Islam?
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Fuzail Siddiqui
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
Oops! there was a typo in the comment I posted a minute ago. Here is the corrected comment: "Is it possible that the Minister is playing to the gallery to gain some cheap popularity at the expense of women who chose to use Niqab in public? Those who think they can make women wear or not wear Niqab, haven't met my wife!"
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Zubedah
150 days ago
0 Takbeers
It would be interesting to hear from your wife too.
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Fuzail Siddiqui
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
Is it possible that the Minister is playing to the gallery to gain some cheap popularity at the expense of women who chose to use Niqab in public? Those who think they can make women wear of not wear Niqab, haven't met my wife!
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Khurram
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
Even if hijab is not essential, but passing a law about it is not wise. If a lady is wearing niqab, is it to hard to tell them to go to a female judge? or arrange a lady who can take the oath. By the way, please note that niqab wearing ladies in canada are very rare as well. Muslims being minority already, Niqabis are minority within muslims as well.
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Ahmed
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
RARE????? You must be blind.
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Habeeba
151 days ago
0 Takbeers
If you are seeing them everywhere in large numbers, you must be living in Afghanistan. Niqabis are a tiny minority among muslims who are themselves a minority.
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UC
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
Wow I'm amazed at how muslims are debating over this issue....umm last I checked, our religion is complete alhamdulilah. 1. You, as a person scared of darth vader, have no say in what Allah "meant". Thank you but our Prophet pbuh explained every aspect of our religion already. Please go read the books of knowledge and be very careful on what you say is and isn't part of our religion. 2. There is a debate among scholars that are much more knowledgeable than us on this matter. so for us to say whether niqab is required or not is, frankly, nonsense. There may never be a consensus on the issue. Which brings me to my final and most important point: Please try to understand, he has no right to dictate what our religion is or isn't. In fact, if, God forbid, someone decided they are going to worhsip the devil and got a devil tattoo on their face, does this guy have a right to lawfully ban that person from taking the oath until they got it removed. That is the infringement of our freedom that took place here. And our people have made it an issue of debate over the relevance of niqaab.
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Noor
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
The way the world is going, I think the face veil will likely be banned altogether sometime in the future, as well as in other democratic countries. Face covering might be useful for protection in some countries but here in Canada, come on! This is not a small village where everybody belongs to the same comunity, and face veiling causes a lot of negative reaction such as fear as who`s really underneath. I`m a muslim female and I`m scared when I see someone dressed like darth vader. In Quran, did Allah Almighty order woman to dress with only an eye slit? It`s so great to be Muslim in Canada where I feel free to practice my religion and live in peace alongside my fellow Canadians. I don`t feel a need or desire to go make others anxious by impersonating a bank rober
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Imran
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
Muslims themselves are divided in making niqab an essential part of female attire. Why blame the Canadians? Please note that Oath taking ceremony is not a norm. It is a judicial matter.
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Faaizah
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
Are you kidding? There are several, very simple ways of addressing this other than asking the lady in question to go against her deeply held beliefs. Please dont buy that "judicial matter" concern; that hints at suspecting insincerity, whereas the person has gone through many other processes for citizenship AND IDENTIFIED HERSELF to an official, prior to entering the oath-taking room. If there's still a concern - an official can stand next to her and hear her voice, or ask her to take the oath in private with one official. No one questions the need to remove niqaab in situations of true need - medical or security-related, for instance. This is just unnecessary and a cheap shot. When this was a minority government, they were assuring freedom of apparel for all. Now they think they can say whatever and get away with it.
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Faaizah
153 days ago
0 Takbeers
And of course, this has nothing to do with whether or not all Muslims agree on the essentialness of niqaab. The law in Canada is clear: what matters is what a person personally holds as their beliefs, not what texts or majorities say.
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