Anti-Islamophobia advocates want action from politicians now speaking out against Bill 21

Politicians are speaking up about the removal of a Quebec teacher over her hijab. But anti-Islamophobia advocates say the outcry should have come sooner — and achieved more.

Multiple politicians slammed a Quebec school board on Thursday for reassigning a teacher over her hijab due to Bill 21, Quebec’s secularism law.

But now, anti-Islamophobia activists say this outcry should have come sooner — and that it should be followed by action.

“Welcome to the party,” said Mustafa Farooq, Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), in reaction to the latest burst of anger around the law.

“We’ve been fighting this from day one. It’s been resting on the backs of racialized communities and brave human rights defenders.”

The condemnations surround a Quebec’s Bill 21. It was passed in June 2019 and bans the wearing of religious symbols such as hijabs, kippas and turbans by teachers and other government employees deemed to be in positions of authority.

Parents from the Chelsea Elementary School said they found out the teacher was being removed from her job last week. Some later learned it was due to her hijab, and the teacher herself ultimately confirmed that fact in an interview, according to The Canadian Press.

Politicians quickly lined up to condemn the development. Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller, who is also a Montreal-area MP, called it “cowardly.” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Bill 21 is “so wrong.” Conservative MP Kyle Seeback called it a “disgrace.”

In a statement sent to Global News on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Office said their position on the bill “has always been clear.”