Haroon Siddiqui’s article in the Toronto Star, “PQ Goes All Out in Waging War On Religious Minorities,” is a masterpiece of bullshit hyperbole.
Quebec Bill 60: Charter affirming the values of State secularism and religious neutrality and of equality between women and men, and providing a framework for accommodation requests is not a rallying call for war against religious minorities. It is not a rallying call for war at all but a call for secularism in government. The Parti Québécois should be congratulated not criticized. It is very possible that the Parti Québécois will remove the crucifix in the National assembly if people stop criticizing Bill 60 and see it as the progressive document it is.
Siddiqui goes on to commit the unforgivable: speaking on behalf of women
The PQ bill is based on false assumptions – that gender equality is eroded by a hijab (rather it is enhanced by upholding the right of a woman to wear what she wants, rather than being told by men or government)
Siddiqui assumes he knows what constitutes gender equality and knows what women chose to wear. Oh yes, women have the right to wear what they want even if what they wear indicates a misplaced allegiance to an oppressive religion, and make no mistake, all religions are oppressive. They are especially oppressive for women. Wearing a crucifix or a hijab is body language that shouts, “I am a member of a religion that discriminates against women and abuses their children.” Women who support any of the Abrahamic religions should be ashamed of themselves.
Siddiqui goes on to say, Bill 60
is based on demagoguery. It proposes a solution for a problem that does not exist. It divides society.
It is Orwellian. It claims to preserve secularism by axing a fundamental secular right – the right to freedom of religion that includes the right to show it.
The ostensibly leftist PQ is following rightwing European xenophobes, anti-Semites and Islamophobes.
When Siddiqui uses the word Orwellian, he wants us to think of Nineteen Eighty‑Four (1949) and Animal Farm (1945) while he completely ignores George Orwell’s essay “Politics and the English Language.” By calling members of the Parti Québécois xenophobes, anti-Semites and Islamophobes, Siddiqui is doing what Orwell warns against: using these words in a “in a consciously dishonest way” with the “intent to deceive.”
Siddiqui should stop speaking on behalf of women, stop replacing the phrase “Parti Quebecois tables Bill 60″ with “PQ goes all out in waging war.” Bill 60 is not a war cry; it isn’t even an offensive; it is Siddiqui’s article that is offensive.
