Bordeaux- Liberal MP Fatima Houda-Pepin made it clear she doesn't agree with her party's position on the secular state.
Bordeaux- Liberal MP Fatima Houda-Pepin made it clear she doesn’t agree with her party’s position on the secular state.
In Canada, the Quebec Charter of values defended by the government, is a very hot topic. The Liberal Party of Quebec has indicated that women wearing the headscarf were welcome for the next elections, a decision Fatima Houda-Pepin, doesn’t agree with. The Meknes native stated her position in an open letter, letting everyone know about her position.
“Have Quebecers come all this way to take Saudi Arabia and Iran’s Ayatollahs’ vision of equality between men and women as a model?” she asked.
Houda-Pepin added that the chador is opposed to the principle of democracy. “When you know the meaning of the chador, how can you justify the acceptance of such a symbol in this mecca of our democracy that is the National Assembly?”
In an interview given to ICI Radio-Canada, she stated that “The charter, as written, is not mine. I am for the religious neutrality of the state.” Houda-Pepin, who is the only Muslim MP in Quebec, said that the Liberal Party must agree with a limitation of the fundamental rights “when the public interest requires it,” particularly when it comes to protecting gender equality.
The Liberal Party of Quebec is said to be thinking about expelling the MP. Pauline Marois, Premier of Quebec and leader of the Parti Québécois, said she wants everyone in her government to be able to speak and express their ideas freely. She congratulated the MP on defending her point of view, stressing her courage.
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