Write a statement on whom your intended audience is and why you think your presentation would be impactful and meaningful to them. My PowerPoint presentation is on “Discrimination Against Muslim Minorities in North America and Europe” and the intended audiences are people who are either oblivion to the fact that this topic is a grave setback of our society and those who engage in discrimination. I have come across many news channels that have something negative to portray about Islam at least in my perspective. I see and come across people who deeply hate the religion Islam and anyone who tries to help create a positive image about Islam in our society. I have connected my topic, discrimination of Muslims in our society towards Contemporary Canada by highlighting the fact that Aboriginal community in Canada was and still is being discriminated, which is quite similar to Muslims. During the fall semester Professor Mansour gave us an assignment on “Burqas and Bans: Freedom or Oppression?” I have therefore connected the Response Paper assignment that was given by Professor Mansour to this current presentation topic. I focused my presentation not only on Canada but also on discriminatory issues taking place on Muslims in North America and Europe only to really show this issue is not just in Canada but taking place almost all over the globe. I believe my presentation would be impactful and meaningful towards my intended audience because people who care about justice and who seek an open and welcoming society must defend the right of Muslims who want to live free of discrimination in Canada. The biggest reason for all this confusion and lack or real knowledge on Islam, which truly means ‘Peace’, is because some Canadian media contribute to dangerous stereotyping towards this religion. They serve a diet of distorted images, which promote the false notion that Islam as a religion condones violence, and associate Muslims with terrorism. When the media prominently identify individuals who are suspected of wrong- doing as being Muslim, they unfairly imply that all Muslims are collectively responsible for the actions of certain individuals. This presentation was also created to increase awareness on this issue; if you are a Muslim stand up for your rights and partner up with other Canadians who are committed in changing this negative image of Islam in our society. Or if you are not a Muslim, inform yourself about Islamic history and culture, and about the experiences of your Muslim neighbors and colleagues. Speak out when you come across stereotypical information of Islam in our media, at school, in the workplace or anywhere else. And last but definitely not the least; intervene when you suspect a Muslim is being unfairly treated.

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DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIM
MINORITIES
IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE.
Submitted by: Sunia Khan
Date: 6th
April 2015

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Burqas and Bans: Freedom or
Oppression?
 Farzana Hassan, a past president of the Canadian Muslim
Congress presented her case at a multiculturalism lecture held
in the University of British Columbia. She argues that facial
vialing also known as ‘niqab’ or ‘burqa’ worn by some women in
the Muslim community should be banned. I strongly disagree
with a lot of her statements.
 “wearing a burqa is a safety and security concern for Canada”
(Hassan, 2011).
 “wearing a burqa is crossing the reasonable limit” (Hassan,
2011).
 “veiling was not said to be done by the prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H)” (Hassan, 2011) and also that “there is no religious
reason for wearing a burqua” (Hassan, 2011).
(Assignment by Professor Mansour)

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Indian Horse by Richard
Wagamese
 Wagamese’s novel Indian Horse expresses how Aboriginal
people in Canada experience racism in interpersonal,
structural and sometimes violent ways. Wagamese exposes
the horrors of residential schools which have scared
aboriginal community for life. (Carin, 2013)
 Racism is an experience acutely felt by many Aboriginal
people in Canada. For example, according to a 2005 report
of the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey
(RHS), 38% of participating First Nations adults
experienced at least one instance of racism in the past 12
months; 63% of them felt that it had at least some effect on
their self-esteem (First Nations Centre, 2005).’ (Reading,
Leeuw, & Loopie, n.d)

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MUSLIM POPULATION TODAY
According to Canada's 2011 National Household Survey, there
were 1,053,945 Muslims in Canada or about 3.2% of the
population, making them the second largest religion after
Christianity and the fastest growing religion in Canada.
Islam is the largest or the second largest religion in 17 of 38
European (overall) countries. Around 60% of the Muslims living
in Europe are under 30 Years of age.
Today, the total Muslim population in Western Europe is
estimated to be between 12-14 million. There are 3 million
Muslims in Germany and 1.5 million in Britain; Italy, Belgium
and the Netherlands have about a half million each.

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DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE
MUSLIM MINORITY
 In parts of western Europe complaints are wife of Muslim women are
being denied jobs because of their headscarves, Muslims served last in
stores, denied memberships of local clubs, and unfortunately jeered at
in the street, "to go back to Turkey”
 Canadian Muslims and Arabs are feeling the effects of discrimination
in their daily lives. For example, they report: Harassment and name
calling, Distorted representation in media, Discrimination in
employment and housing, Vandalism against mosques, Being labeled
as supporting terrorism.
 Many Muslim Canadians are committed to working for a Canada that
is free of discrimination and where every human being is valued and
respected.
 Since many Muslims themselves look at the world through the
paradigm of their religion, they often consider these elements
Islamophobic.

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 13 Western and Eastern European states do not recognize
Islam as a Religion. Muslims therefore become an
unrecognized minority without minority rights and
protection in these states

14. +  Islam is not officially recognized by Denmark as a religion.
Since September 11th 2001, Danish authorities have
practiced anti-immigration policies reinforced specific
rhetoric, making it hard for Muslims to immigrate to the
country.

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There are 120,000 - 150,000 Muslims in Norway, which
makes up 2% of the population. Islam yet again is not
officially recognized by the state

16. + Germany in the year 2005 was estimated with 3.3 Million
Muslims living in the country, with 4% accounting for the total
population. However, because of restrictive immigration laws,
only 400, 000 of them or 12% of the Muslims have German
citizenship. This has reflected greatly on the Turkish Muslim
population that are landed immigrants in Germany.

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ISLAMAPHOBIA
 The intention of the commission was based on two
contingencies;
1. Countering Islamophobic assumptions- that Islam is
without internal development, diversity and dialogue.
2. Drawing attention to the principal dangers which
Islamophobia creates for Muslim communities and therefore
for society as a whole.

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WHAT MAKES A NATION OR
PEOPLE ISLAMPHOBIC?
It is seen as a political Ideology, used for political
or military advantage.
Criticisms made of "the West" by Muslims are
rejected out of hand.
Hostility towards Islam is used to justify
discriminatory practices towards Muslims and
exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.
Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural and
normal

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WHAT MAKES A NATION OR
PEOPLE ISLAMPHOBIC?
Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and
unresponsive to change.
It is seen as separate and "other." It does not
have values in common with other cultures, is not
affected by them and does not influence them.
It is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as
barbaric, irrational, primitive, and sexist.
It is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening,
supportive of Terrorism, and engaged in a Clash
of civilization.

24. + CASE STUDY: MUSLIM
MINORITIES IN FRANCE
 “The hijab, ultimately, is a cloth. It oppresses, liberates,
empowers, according to society, tradition and the woman who
places it over her hair, giving society one of the most challenging
symbols of rejection, identity and pride it presently faces.”

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DEMOGRAPHICS
 The current Muslim population is mostly due to a
wave of immigration after World War II. The
number of Muslims in North America surged
because of an increasing demand for foreign
labour force from the east to the western region

26. + DISCRIMINATION OF
MUSLIMS IN CANADA
 With the population of Muslims increasing, there
has been growing criticism regarding the
treatment of Muslims in Canadian society.
 Community surveys, focus groups and polls
indicate that many Muslims feel there is
discrimination against them in Canada after 9/11
(Helly, 2004; CAIR-CAN, 2002; Adams, 2007).
 Within the larger population, a recent poll by
Ipsos Reid found that 60% of people surveyed felt
there was increased discrimination against
Muslims, in comparison to ten years ago (Chung,
2011).

27. + GTA woman has Niqab pulled
off in assault
 In 2011 a muslim woman named Inas Kadri, from Mississauga,
Ont., had her niqab pulled from her face. The assault took place
at Sheridan Centre in Mississauga which is a local mall. The
assault was caught on a security camera as well.
 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gta-woman-has-niqab-
pulled-off-in-assault-1.1022672

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DISCRIMINATION OF
MUSLIMS IN FRANCE
 Vandalism of Mosques

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THE BAN OF THE HIJAB
 However, no issue has dominated the attention
and generated debate amongst the French as the
2004 ban on the hijab in public schools has
produced.

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CHAIN OF EVENTS: THE BAN
OF THE HIJAB
 The current debate over the veil can said to have
begun in October 1989, when three junior high
school girls refused to remove their hijabs in class,
and were expelled for doing so.
 The second debate over the veil took place in
September 1994, when then education minister
François Bayrou issued a order concerning the
display of religious insignia in schools.

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PASSING OF THE
LEGISLATION
 The bill to outlaw conspicuous religious dress and
insignia in French schools officially became law on
March 15, 2004 with an overwhelming majority
vote of 276 to 20, and became applicable from the
start of the new school year in September.

32. + THE “OTHERING” OF THE VEILED
MUSLIM WOMAN
 Such attitudes towards the veil demonstrate the “Othering”
of the Muslim woman.

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34. + THE HIJAB AS A RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE
RATHER THAN A POLITICAL SYMBOL
 There are, no doubt, a number of reasons why
Muslim women choose to wear the hijab.
 Some often cited reasons are: personal religious
conviction, freedom of religion, acceptance as a
good Muslim female, compliance with family
values, neutralization of sexuality and protection
from harassment from males, and individual
choice and religious/cultural identity.

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FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND
THE BAN OF THE HIJAB
 Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR):
 Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience
and religion; this right includes freedom to change his
religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community
with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion
or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

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FREEDOM OF EDUCATION AND
THE BAN OF THE HIJAB
 It does not matter who or which state is abusing
the basic human right; ultimately it is the Muslim
woman who suffers either way.
 Once again her body has become the site on which
various political battles are carried on and biased
agreements negotiated.

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 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
guarantees protection from discrimination:
“Every individual is equal before and under the
law and has the right to the equal protection and
equal benefit of the law without discrimination
and, in particular, without discrimination based
on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion,
sex, age or mental or physical disability.” (Section
15(1))
Recognition of International and
regional Human Rights

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International and regional human rights instruments
recognize at least four rights directly related to
religion and belief:
 a) the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and
religion;
 b)the right to equal protection of the law, including
the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of
religion;
 c) the right of persons belonging to religious
minorities to profess and practice their religion;
 d) the right to protection from incitement to
discrimination, hostility, or violence.

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Work Cited
 http://ccrweb.ca/files/
discrimination_against_arabs_and_muslims_in_canada.pdf
 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gta-woman-has-
niqab-pulled-off-in-assault-1.1022672
 http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/creed-freedom-religion-and-
human-rights-special-issue-diversity-magazine-volume-93-
summer-2012/discrimination-experienced-muslims-ontario
 http://www.libertymagazine.org/discussion/are-burqa-bans-
oppressive-to-religious-freedom-or-a-defense-of-the-rights-a