Last
year in the Canadian region of Quebec a controversial plan to abolish
religious symbols in public places was being discussed. The problem
had been discussed for months, and tension was very high.
The two opposing factions clashed harshly without arriving at a
solution.
The
bill proposed by “The parti Québécois” (PQ) in 2013 provided
that all the public employees couldn’t show conspicuous religious
symbols. Example of prohibited symbol were headscarves, yarmulkes,
turbans, and big crucifixes. Instead little crucifixes, rings and
other small items could be worn.
The
people in favour of this plan argued that it was “essential” and “reflect who we
are as a society”. According to them Quebec had always adapted to the
influences of the various religions losing its identity.
The people against this plan thought it was “ discriminatory and unnecessary” and
forced a lot of public employees to choose between work and faith.
They recognized the importance of a secularism however they didn’t
agree with this solution. They proposed an alternative, in which the
ban concerned only those who had a position of authority.
This
project died in 2014. The liberal won the election in April and the
plan was abandoned.
The
issue of religious symbols affects not only Quebec but different
countries. In 2004 France abolished all religious symbols in public
places. On one hand, there is the pressure of increasing secularism in
society. On the other hand, this pressure responds to a perceived fear among the
population towards minorities especially Islamic considered different
and dangerous. Islam is often associated to ISIS and terrorist acts.
The
discussion of this paper is in fact accompanied by a widespread
Islamophobia. There have been several cases in Quebec of vandalism
against mosques.
The
problem is not solved yet, but it should address the issue in the
right way to avoid violence.
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