Guardian

Civil rights groups alarmed over Quebecs move to ban prayer in public

Quebec Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge announced Thursday that the government will introduce legislation this fall to ban prayer in public places, describing street prayer as a "serious and sensitive issue."

Quebec Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge announced Thursday that the government will introduce legislation this fall to ban prayer in public places, describing street prayer as a "serious and sensitive issue."

This follows statements from Premier François Legault, who in December stated that seeing people praying in streets and public parks is "not something we want in Quebec," saying people should pray in churches or mosques instead of public places.

Montreal Gazette

This follows statements from Premier François Legault, who in December stated that seeing people praying in streets and public parks is "not something we want in Quebec," saying people should pray in churches or mosques instead of public places.

The announcement follows months of the Coalition Avenir Québec government's efforts to reinforce secularism, including laws requiring immigrants to embrace common culture and expanding religious symbols bans.

CTVNews

The announcement follows months of the Coalition Avenir Québec government's efforts to reinforce secularism, including laws requiring immigrants to embrace common culture and expanding religious symbols bans.

An advisory committee released a 300-page report earlier this week with 50 recommendations to strengthen secularism but did not recommend banning public prayer, suggesting municipalities handle the issue instead.

National Post

An advisory committee released a 300-page report earlier this week with 50 recommendations to strengthen secularism but did not recommend banning public prayer, suggesting municipalities handle the issue instead.

The move comes amid tension over Muslim prayers during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica, which have prompted counter-demonstrations from Quebec nationalists.</span

Global News

The move comes amid tension over Muslim prayers during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica, which have prompted counter-demonstrations from Quebec nationalists.

Roberge did not state whether the notwithstanding clause, allowing the government to override some civil liberties, would be invoked, which Legault said he considered last year.

Roberge did not state whether the notwithstanding clause, allowing the government to override some civil liberties, would be invoked, which Legault said he considered last year.

Radio Canada International

CityNews Halifax

Coast Reporter

Guardian #0

Radio Canada International #

Guardian #

This follows statements from Premier François Legault who in December stated that seeing people praying in streets and public parks is "not something we want in Quebec," saying people should pray in churches or mosques instead of public places.

CityNews Halifax #

Montreal Gazette #

This follows statements from Premier François Legault who in December stated that seeing people praying in streets and public parks is "not something we want in Quebec," saying people should pray in churches or mosques instead of public places.

CTVNews #

National Post #

Global News #

Civil liberties groups and religious organizations condemned the proposed ban as violating freedom of religion and assembly. Roberge did not state whether the notwithstanding clause, allowing the government to override some civil liberties, would be invoked, which Legault said he considered last year.

Coast Reporter #

CBC #

Civil liberties groups and religious organizations condemned the proposed ban as violating freedom of religion and assembly. Roberge did not state whether the notwithstanding clause, allowing the government to override some civil liberties, would be invoked, which Legault said he considered last year.

Quebec's commitment to secularism is an inalienable part of its heritage. The proliferation of street prayers, which harkens back to an age of religious dominance in Quebec, threatens the hard-won separation of religion from public life. Public spaces must remain accessible to all citizens regardless of faith, and allowing religious appropriation of streets and parks to spread a message undermines this fundamental principle.

Quebec's commitment to secularism is an inalienable part of its heritage. The proliferation of street prayers, which harkens back to an age of religious dominance in Quebec, threatens the hard-won separation of religion from public life. Public spaces must remain accessible to all citizens regardless of faith, and allowing religious appropriation of streets and parks to spread a message undermines this fundamental principle.

Leslie Roberts: Quebec calls street prayer what it is  intimidation

This proposed ban represents discriminatory targeting of Muslim communities under the guise of neutrality. The legislation would violate the fundamental Charter rights that form the foundation of Canadian democracy. At a time when Quebecers face real challenges with healthcare, housing costs and living expenses, the government should focus on solving actual problems rather than policing citizens' constitutional rights.

This proposed ban represents discriminatory targeting of Muslim communities under the guise of neutrality. The legislation would violate the fundamental Charter rights that form the foundation of Canadian democracy. At a time when Quebecers face real challenges with healthcare, housing costs and living expenses, the government should focus on solving actual problems rather than policing citizens' constitutional rights.

Canadian Constitution Foundation

Canadian Constitution Foundation #

Canadian Constitution Foundation Condemns Quebecs Planned Ban On Public Prayer

Canadian Muslim Forum

Canadian Muslim Forum #

CMF-FMC Deeply Concerned by CAQs Plan to Ban Street Prayers!

Quebec Plans to Ban Public Prayer

Alexis Aubin/AFP/Getty Images

Quebec Plans to Ban Public Prayer

Quebec's commitment to secularism is an inalienable part of its heritage. The proliferation of street prayers, which harkens back to an age of religious dominance in Quebec, threatens the hard-won separation of religion from public life. Public spaces must remain accessible to all citizens regardless of faith, and allowing religious appropriation of streets and parks to spread a particular message undermines this fundamental principle.

Quebec's commitment to secularism is an inalienable part of its heritage. The proliferation of street prayers, which harkens back to an age of religious dominance in Quebec, threatens the hard-won separation of religion from public life. Public spaces must remain accessible to all citizens regardless of faith, and allowing religious appropriation of streets and parks to spread a particular message undermines this fundamental principle.

Canada: Quebec Plans to Ban Public Prayer

Canada: Quebec Plans to Ban Public Prayer

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Canada: Quebec Plans to Ban Public Prayer

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