Muslim immigrant Rania El-Alloul had a rude awakening in a Montreal court when she showed up wearing her Islamic head covering.
Arrogantly assuming that the court would bow to her beliefs, she was told by Quebec Judge Eliana Marengo that if she wanted to be heard she would have to remove her hajib.
“The courtroom is a secular place and a secular space,” said Marengo. “There are no religious symbols in this room. Not on the walls and not on the persons.”
The judge went on to say that she would not hear anyone that appeared wearing a hat or sunglasses either.
“I will therefore not hear you if you are wearing a scarf on your head,” Marengo said.
When asked if she would remove the headscarf so that the court could continue, El-Alloul declined.
“Actually I cannot remove my scarf,” said El-Alloul. “Since long years I’m wearing my scarf.”
El-Alloul then started to give the judge excuses that she was poor, on welfare and a mother of three on her own, but the judge would hear none of it.
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” said Marengo in reference to the excuses.
The judge told her that she would not be hearing her case and that she could consult a lawyer.
Muslim immigrant Rania El-Alloul had a rude awakening in a Montreal court when she showed up wearing her Islamic head covering.
Arrogantly assuming that the court would bow to her beliefs, she was told by Quebec Judge Eliana Marengo that if she wanted to be heard she would have to remove her hajib.
“The courtroom is a secular place and a secular space,” said Marengo. “There are no religious symbols in this room. Not on the walls and not on the persons.”
The judge went on to say that she would not hear anyone that appeared wearing a hat or sunglasses either.
“I will therefore not hear you if you are wearing a scarf on your head,” Marengo said.
When asked if she would remove the headscarf so that the court could continue, El-Alloul declined.
Advertisement - story continues below
“Actually I cannot remove my scarf,” said El-Alloul. “Since long years I’m wearing my scarf.”
El-Alloul then started to give the judge excuses that she was poor, on welfare and a mother of three on her own, but the judge would hear none of it.
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” said Marengo in reference to the excuses.
The judge told her that she would not be hearing her case and that she could consult a lawyer.
Of the incident, El-Alloul says that she now lives in fear. “What happened in the court made me afraid. I felt that I’m not Canadian anymore,” she said.
Just as liberal secular humanists don’t want to be judged under Christian principals, people of other religions must understand that they don’t get a special pass either.
Immigrants to another nation should be ready to assimilate to their chosen country’s laws, language and culture if they wish to live there.
Please share this article on Facebook and Twitter if you agree that Muslims must follow the laws of the country in which they choose to live.
What do you think? Scroll down to comment below!
Post a Comment