The writer is a Toronto-based journalist with over 20 years of experience covering social and geopolitical issues. She is a former magazine editor of Dawn
Called the ‘Charter of Values’, this bill — referred to as Bill 60 — was proposed last September in Quebec. With the arguments currently being made in the National Assembly of Quebec, the clash between backers and critics of Bill 60 is heating up the hearings, and the arguments are, in turn, spilling over into the media. While the proponents of Bill 60 are clutching at the argument of ‘absolute secularism’, if it comes into effect, the bill will actually be legitimising intolerance among the people of Quebec. It will also endanger almost everyone`s religious freedom, be they Muslim, Sikh, Jew, Catholic or Buddhist.
Canada’s immigrant communities make up nearly 21 per cent of its population, a number not to be taken lightly, at least as far as the voting power is concerned. And all these immigrants choose Canada as their choice of a new home particularly because of the ‘reasonable accommodation’ it offers to its newcomers. Reasonable accommodation means to fairly adjust the system — in the workplace, school or in another public context — for an individual, based on a need which may be religious, academic or employment related. This is part of the Canadian Charter of Rights. The Quebecois bill, however, gives this lawful provision a total roundabout by twisting its scope to curtail all or any values/beliefs that have even remote religious connotations.
But creating a homogenous society is an absurd notion and to my mind, no different from Hitler’s idea of cleansing and creating the Aryan master race. The well-settled immigrants in Canada have a stable enough base to live comfortably in the existence they have carved for themselves after years of hard work and investment of energy and resources. But the Western horizons are not going to be welcoming to newer settlers. Already, Canadian immigration policies are becoming non-inclusive and the settling process for new immigrants is going from bad to worse.
A vote on Bill 60 is probably imminent as close as March 2014. And Prime Minister Stephen Harper is eager to woo the white Canadians of the Prairies in the hope of reducing the might of the visible minorities. In such a backdrop, it is possible that the Charter of so-called Values will win the day in Quebec. If that happens, the Canadian multicultural experiment will suffer its worst setback.
With foreign lands becoming hostile, the only solution for those contemplating immigration is to create a better home where one is born. Pakistan is not fighting foreign occupation or a civil war in the proper sense of the word. Our fight involves internal dissension, corruption and poor or lack of education. There is no charm anymore in migrating to the West. If a few basics were set to order in our own house, no one would want to undertake the tedious journey.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (21)
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author says "There is no charm anymore in migrating to the West." I think the author is naive in suggesting that if this law passes muslims will stop immigrating to Canada. Sorry this will have no effect in immigration. Most of the Shias/Ahmedis who fled fearing persecution in their homeland will still be very happy in Quebec.. For gods sake Shias/Ahmedis in Pakistan today hide their identity fearing death. Also a muslim immigrant kid can aspire to become prime minister in Canada/USA, but a Hindu Pakistani who are the original inhabitants of that land cannot dream of becoming a Prime Minister in Pakistan. Please address some fundamental issues of freedom in the land of pure before giving sermons to other nations on religious freedom.
@vasan:
"Why is that only muslims lament on removal of religious symbols?"
No, it is not just Muslims. In US, UK, Canada and other western countries, the Sikhs have been demanding that these cultures accommodate their religious beliefs to keep their kirpans, beards and turbans in their jobs and in public.
I support such a bill -- all those wearing black tents with slits for eyes have no place in Canada
I totally agree with the thought that we need to clean our country... There is no reason to immigrate if our own home is in order... But looking at Canada through the lens of what is happening in Quebec is pure ignorance... Quebec is formed just for french speaking people and they only want white french speaking people.. When they announce this policy some Muslims took advantage of their french language skill and immigrated to Quebec but they are not welcome there.. Quebec is even planning to seek independence from Canada ..We have to look at the immigration policy on federal level to see the real picture and so far all the changes made by federal govt are in favor of immigrants.for example: super visa for your parents, immigration through Canadian experience class and PNP program for Ontario students. If you are hard working and are able to achieve the level of highly skilled worker then by all means Canada is land of opportunities and you will never complain about discrimination!
A reason to clean up our house...because doors of opportunity to elsewhere are closing and makes it more difficult to leave and migrate...that pretty much sums it up.
There indeed is a far right-wing rise of an anti-immigrant/anti-refugee, anti-multi-culturalism and more prejudiced un-humanitarian atmosphere (a good bit above against Muslims or Pakistanis, though honestly it was headed that way, regardless of the bait the author provided), and unfortunately some Canadian ethnic, new immigrant, minorities are self-deprecating and sycophants to the pure Euro-centric rhetoric. They only sabotage and undermine themselves, as seen with the different, contradictory views and comments of different backgrounds above.
But the problems or hostility of such policies is still no where close to the hostilities and issues in Pak, and part of why there's such reactionary comments above. The conclusion is brief and abrupt, pandering to Pak's educated class, trying to sell an optimistic rosy fate and future within Pak (whose problems are not easy to fix at all, particularly for desperate minorities and poor class) only due to a more deterring process and diminishing choice in another still well off country.
it will happend in every country one day.
"There is no no charm in migrating to the West anymore". Really? You mean the differences between Pakistan and Western democracies are negligible now? This, coming from a Pakistani woman, is laughable. So you have shipped out but the rest of should stick around and do the hard work of putting this madhouse to rights. Got it. Or would you be moving back soon to lend a hand? Really tired of all these bhagauras lecturing the rest of us. You moved there because you wanted an easier life. As an individual you have very little stake in Pakistan anymore. A suggested thought experiment: just imagine what would happen to the average Pakistani compared to you in case of a civil war in Pakistan. You would tut-tut from a safe distance but those who live and work here will bear the real consequences. So move back and help so you can earn what you are trying to get on the cheap; the satisfaction of making one's birthplace a better one. Otherwise stop patronising us. You think people in Pakistan don't know that they need education and better economic opportunities? More than the what, it's the how that is agonisingly difficult. It's the getting your hands dirty part that matters, which brings about real change. People like you aren't willing to do that, fair enough. But do spare us the lectures.
If Muslims and more so Pakistani Muslims stopped wearing their religion on their sleeve, other more liberal countries would not have to worry about their way of life being impregnated by a culture ( for want of a better word ) that if anything is alien to that of the West and more importantly one that threatens them.
Thanks ET
Why is that only muslims lament on removal of religious symbols? ET : Pl publish my earlier comment.
I beg to differ. Most of the immigrants escaping to west are Muslims and one reason of attraction is its secular nature. Secular attitudes accept freedom of religion, but as long as it does not disturb the relationship with others. As it is if you choose in Canada a group which least adjusts to local life, it is Muslims. They cannot marry non Muslims, they do not make friends with non Muslims because others eat non halal food and drink. I have seen Muslims inviting others and naturally offer halal food. If the 'others' invite them, they make a condition that others also serve halal. It is like one way street where Muslims can carry on with their way and others must change for them. And that in 'their' country. I know majority ofMuslims are least liked in west. I can guess why. I say change to new world of enlightenment. Nobody stops you wearing hijab, or going to mosques. In other words keep your faith but learn to live with others.
Only one particular migrant community worries about this law. Rest of the migrant communities anyway doesn't have any sympathy for that community as it lives on benefits and violence.
Yet another display of islamic exceptionalism and the self-seeking sense of entitlement in display here. Most third-world immigrants go to Canada desperate to make money -period. It is not the 'accomodation' or liberalism that attracts them. Given the recent experience of other countries like UK, France and Australia where muslims in particular have felt emboldened to demand special priveleges for their community (including Sharia), Canada is well advised to keep this particular genie tightly bottled. More power to the Canadians - keep the bearded bucket heads out.
This is the problem with democracy's "power to legislate" being in the hands of the "chosen elite". You have the right to be free as long as "THEY" allow it. So in Democracy, the legislators can discuss and reverse the very basis of Democracy. The so called "Freedom"!
No one is calling for a homogenous society, nor is a genocide being planned. U r only being asked to keep religion private & resist frm overt displays. But then, a pakistani wud not understand, wud she, when chriatians r killed for being christians, hindu girls r forc ibly converted? Clean up ur hse b4 advicing canada what to do. Canada gives u , a muslim immigrant far more freedom than any christian pakistani can ever hope for in his own country.
This article is just a hogwash. People migrated to the west to avoid oppression in their home lands, economic opportunities, educational and professional advancements, avoiding poverty etc etc. Nobody ever migrated to western countries because they are tolerant of other religions. The intolerance of other religions is mostly prevalent in muslim countries and why would the muslims migrate from muslim countries. Have a break or coffee and think about it. Infact people do go and work in arab countries for the monetary gains inspite of their religious intolerance
The writer has it almost right, but not quite. Having resided in foreign countries for many years it is quite apparent that by and large the the ideas of the largest group prevail. In other words, "when in Rome do as the Romans do". If you cross the majority or cannot get along with them you will not be happy, and might as well go home. Something to consider is that if you are the same racial group you will fully settle in by the next generation. If you are different it takes two or three generations to integrate The idea is not to become discouraged. Just work hard and keep ploughing .ahead. Life is not perfect, but persistence usually works. Unfortunately, there is always somebody in any society, and at any level, who will do putdowns on the more fragile members.
Canada being secular, free and all has little to with immigrants coming to Canada. It is all about the economic opportunities. This legislative bill is inspired by the French, now that problems are becoming more looming and the taboo to talk about them is fading away. The Canadians hope to create a neutral environment which may foster greater integration of cultures; something religions don't do. This is a very piece of writing. Canada does have multicultural issues - for example the issue of crime statistics and demographics is highly taboo to openly discuss- and a continuing debate on burqa wearing and lack of integration and so on. The same thing that was and is happening in Europe. Multiculturalism is a failure not only in Europe, but a dismal failure here in Canada too. What we have is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial society living largely in segregation. What we have are people who immigrated to this country decades ago yet still can't speak either English or French. Why? Because they don't have to. They live in their Little India, little China or their Little Arabia ---- you name an ethnic group and an ethnic enclave will exist -- and they don't have to venture outside it because the screws have not been tightened on who we will accept as contributing immigrants. And what ferments so often in many of these single-cultural, often state-dependent ghettos are the religious prejudices and ethnic hatreds of their homelands. The left will argue various ethnic festivals across Canada are somehow proof of multi-racial peace and harmony. But when those festivals end, so does that Kumbaya moment. The social interaction halts, and the ghetto returns to its cocoon. That's the reality of multiculturalism. It's segregation, not integration. Canada has been too tolerant in allowing immigrants to settle into closed communities, displaying some of their customs that go against the spirit and social fabric of Canadian society. Now Canada wants to turn that tide and this bill is merely an expression of wider discontent regarding problems with immigrants.
"It will also endanger almost everyone`s religious freedom, be they Muslim, Sikh, Jew, Catholic or Buddhist."
This is an emotional hyperbole that is not based on facts. No one's religious freedom will be affected by this proposed Canadian Bill. It just aims at separating religion from the affairs of the state. There should be no justification for demands to accommodate religious beliefs in the public sphere in a secular country.
Those who disagree are free to live in a country where they can practice their religion in their jobs in public.
LOL, So just when do you expect long lines to form at Pakistani embassies around the world as people sign up to emigrate to the relative freedom and security of Pakistan?????? HAHAHAHAHA