Muslim civil rights group urges repeal of discriminatory Bill 21 targeting religious freedom of Canadian Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs
(WASHINGTON D.C., 12/13/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today offered the American Muslim community’s support for a Canadian Muslim teacher removed from her classroom for wearing an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
That grade 3 teacher, Fatemeh Anvari, was told she would no longer be allowed to teach at Chelsea Elementary School because of Bill 21, Quebec’s law that bans the wearing of religious symbols by certain government employees in positions of authority while at work. The controversial bill is widely regarded as targeting Muslim women.
SEE: Ottawa school shows support for Chelsea, Que. teacher removed from school for wearing a hijab
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“Clearly discriminatory laws like Bill 21 deny the religious freedom of Canadian Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Sikhs who wear religious attire as part of their faith. It is unconscionable that a nation claiming to uphold international norms of human rights and freedom allows this unjust law to remain in place.
“We offer the American Muslim community’s support for Fatemeh Anvari and call on Canadians of all faiths and backgrounds who value religious freedom to speak out against the injustice she has suffered.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]