Academics & Education

Quebec’s religious symbols ban causes ‘irreparable harm,’ teachers tell court Civil rights groups file affidavits ahead of appeal set for November

(CBC) Civil rights groups fighting Quebec’s religious symbols law have filed new evidence which, they say, demonstrates without a doubt it has “caused and continues to cause irreparable harm.” Lawyers submitted affidavits last week from Muslim women who were denied employment opportunities or […]

Academics & Education

‘I feel a kind of rage inside me’: Hijabi teachers in Quebec struggle to find way forward Advocacy group Justice Femme says secularism law is so vague, school boards all apply it differently

(CBC) Fatima Boularhmane isn’t sure where to turn anymore. She and her husband and children emigrated from Morocco about a decade ago, lured by the idea of living in a free and democratic country. Trained as an electrical engineer, Boularhmane tried in vain to get a […]

Academics & Education

3 CSDM teachers have taken off religious symbols to work, school board says The board would not specify what kind of symbols the teachers wore

(CBC) The largest school board in Quebec says three teachers have been directly affected by Quebec’s secularism law, formerly known as Bill 21. On Tuesday afternoon, the Commission Scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) revealed the teachers took off their religious symbols in order to be able to […]

Clothing

In retort to Trudeau, Quebec’s premier asks federal leaders to ‘stay out’ of secularism law forever Liberal leader 'deeply opposed' to law, but says legal intervention not in the cards 'for the moment'

(CBC) Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that a Liberal government would not get involved in legal challenges to Quebec’s religious symbols law, at least not “for the moment.” But that wasn’t good enough for the province’s premier, François Legault, who wants a commitment from all federal […]

Burkini

Burkinis should be allowed in public pools, non-discrimination ombudsman says The ombudsman said banning the swimsuits is gender- and religion-based discrimination.

(Yle) Kirsi Pimiä, the non-discrimination ombudsman, has recommended that Finland’s public swimming pools should permit the use of burkinis, the body-covering bathing suits sometimes used by Muslim women. Pimiä said she became aware of cases of burkini-wearing women having been turned away […]

Clothing

Lawsuit claims DMV rule about head coverings violates religious, civil liberties The lawsuit’s plaintiff said she felt pressured to sign the form last year at a driver’s license facility in Rockford, and now fears losing her license if she’s seen without a head covering.

(Chicago Sun-Times) A civil rights group is suing Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White over a rule it claims violates people’s religious rights at driver’s license facilities across the state. The issue: Anyone wearing a religious head covering while taking a driver’s […]

Banks & Banking

Woman charged with robbing Rogers Park, Skokie banks in one day Willie M. Thomas demanded money from a Wintrust Bank in [Chicago] and a Byline Bank in [Skokie] Aug. 15, according to federal prosecutors.

(Chicago Sun-Times) Federal charges have been filed against a woman in two bank robberies in north suburban Skokie and West Rogers Park earlier this month. Willie M. Thomas robbed both Aug. 15, stealing more than $8,000 in total, according to a criminal […]

Academics & Education

CSDM warns prospective teachers about religious symbols, despite saying it wouldn’t apply Bill 21 Commisioner says government threats of putting CSDM under trusteeship unfair

(CBC) Quebec’s largest school board appears to be falling into line when it comes to the province’s new religious symbols law, despite saying earlier this summer it wouldn’t apply the rules until holding further consultations. The Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) began quietly including a notice […]

Banks & Banking

Woman robs banks in Skokie, West Rogers Park on same day: FBI The same woman is suspected in an April 29 robbery at a Huntington Bank branch in Oak Lawn. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for tips that lead directly to her arrest.

(Chicago Sun-Times) A woman robbed two banks Thursday in north suburban Skokie and West Rogers Park on the North Side. About 11:50 a.m., a woman with a gun robbed the Byline Bank at 8400 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie, according to the FBI. […]

Children & Teens

Air Canada staff allegedly forced a 12-year-old passenger to remove her hijab Fatima Abdelrahman had already passed through security when they forced [her to] remove her hijab.

(Narcity) Canada’s primary airline is facing allegations of racial prejudice following a questionable security incident. Air Canada is being questioned by the family of a 12-year-old girl after staff allegedly pulled the girl aside and forced her to remove her hijab at […]

Clothing

Majority of Canadians disapprove of Bill 21, but Quebecers are in favour: poll A Forum Research survey of 1,733 people conducted from July 26-28 concludes 59 per [cent] of Canadian voters disapprove of the law

(Montreal Gazette) A new poll shows a majority of Canadians living outside Quebec do not approve of the province’s religious symbols law. But as other polls have revealed in the past, those living in Quebec say they strongly approve of Bill 21 […]