Niqab? No problem.

Niqab’s are offensive to a majority of Canadians – 82% of Canadians support the rule that Niqabs should not be worn as one takes the Canadian citizenship oath. But, being offended is not reason enough to ban it. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees that we are free to go around offending one another – within reasonable limits. Clothing seems well within reason.

Two arguments are presented for banning the Niqab. First, it is a security risk. Canadians have a right to know who is becoming a Canadian. Of course we do. And, the Federal Court of Canada recognizes this. You are required to show your face and identify yourself. As an accommodation to your religious belief, this can be done in private and then you may wear your Niqab in the public ceremony. There is no security risk that is inherent to wearing a Niqab. Where there are security risks, there are workarounds. 

Second, the Niqab oppresses women. Last night in the French language leaders’ debate Harper argued for the Niqab ban: "Mr. Mulcair, I will never tell my young daughter that a woman should cover her face because she's a woman.” For this I am glad. Neither would I. And, neither would something like 99 percent of Canadians. The problem is that you do not know this to be the reason why any particular women is choosing to wear a Niqab. Why this woman is wearing Niqab. You cannot place your value judgement onto a specific individual. It may be that she is oppressed but it may be that she is not. Viewed worldwide, the Niqab is oppressive. But viewed one individual at a time it might be a bona fide, freely held religious belief.

It may offend if someone wore clown makeup to a citizenship ceremony. Or, too short a skirt. Being offended, though, is not reason enough to ban the practice. And note that this is a tempest in a teapot. There are very few new Canadians wanting to wear a Niqab for their citizenship oath. Very, very few. Let’s concentrate on building a society of equality and freedom so that these woman can choose not to wear a Niqab. But, forcing them to uncover when it may well be against a freely held religious belief is not progress.