For Immediate Release
Montreal — The League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada today condemned the decision by a private French high school in Montreal to prevent Irene Waseem, a Muslim student, from attending classes while wearing her hijab, a head covering worn by religious Moslem girls and women.
“This is a clear violation of Ms. Waseem’s right to practice her religion freely,” said Steve Slimovitch, Montreal lawyer and senior counsel for the League. “The Quebec Human Rights Commission ruled in 1995 that Muslim girls and women could not be barred from classes because they choose to wear a hijab.”
Stephen Scheinberg, National Chair of the League for Human Rights added, “We would expect that a full investigation would take place, and that disciplinary action be taken against those who have committed this offense.”
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For more information call Joseph Ben Ami, Director of Communications at (613) 294-7313
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the Jewish community’s foremost human rights agency.
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