Canadian Province of Quebec Plans to Ban
Public Prayer Amid Debate Over Religious Freedoms
The Quebec government’s plan to ban public prayer has
sparked widespread controversy, with rights organizations describing the move
as targeting religious minorities and threatening fundamental freedoms.
Quebec is located in eastern Canada, with Quebec City
as its capital, while Montreal is the province’s largest city and its leading
economic and cultural hub.
The announcement followed statements by Quebec Premier
François Legault, who voiced disapproval of scenes of prayer in Montreal’s
streets and public parks, saying: “When you want to pray, go to a church or
mosque, not a public space.”
Jean-François Roberge, the province’s Minister of
Secularism, confirmed that the government would introduce legislation on the
matter this coming fall, justifying it by pointing to what he described as the
spread of a “street prayer phenomenon,” which he called a “sensitive and
serious issue.”
The decision triggered a wave of protests, most
notably a demonstration organized by the group Montreal for Palestine outside
Notre-Dame Cathedral, during which participants held a group prayer that in
turn sparked counter-protests.
For years, Quebec has faced criticism over its
secularism-related legislation, particularly Bill 21, passed in 2019, which
prohibits certain government employees—such as judges and teachers—from wearing
religious symbols while on duty, despite its conflict with Canadian charters of
rights and freedoms.
The Canadian Islamic Forum said the government was
“monitoring fundamental rights” instead of addressing real problems, while the
Canadian Civil Liberties Association described the decision as a violation of
freedom of religion, expression, and peaceful assembly.
Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program at
the association, stated: “Suppressing religious expression under the guise of
secularism undermines the principles of dignity and equality.”
Despite rights-based opposition, the move has
political backing from some leaders, including Parti Québécois leader Paul
St-Pierre Plamondon, who described public prayer as “the occupation of public
space by religious fundamentalists.”
But journalist and former senator André Pratte
criticized the stance, stressing that Muslims were being singled out:
“Catholics have prayed in public spaces for decades; what worries the
government are Muslims.” He argued the move reflects an attempt by an unpopular
government to regain support.
(Source: The Guardian)
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