Niqabs of Canada Tumblr site stirs conversation online
Amid the niqab controversy, here's a look at how many of us cover our faces
An anonymous individual has taken to the web to create a Tumblr page called Niqabs of/du Canada.
The Tumblr page pokes fun at the politicizing of the religious garment during the election campaign by displaying photos of Canadians covering up their faces for not-so-religious reasons … usually because it's bitterly cold.
Below are a few photos tweeted from the Tumblr page.
Niqabs of/du Canada is rather brilliant: <a href="http://t.co/jnAtbkVoVu">http://t.co/jnAtbkVoVu</a> <a href="http://t.co/XDZDWgyIMh">pic.twitter.com/XDZDWgyIMh</a>
—@pjfRT <a href="https://twitter.com/timabray">@timabray</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/RichUnderhill">@RichUnderhill</a> They're everywhere! Niqabs of/du Canada <a href="http://t.co/LeIKASFpDf">http://t.co/LeIKASFpDf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/niqab?src=hash">#niqab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="http://t.co/XVN9c8vQBE">pic.twitter.com/XVN9c8vQBE</a>
—@AntoniaZ"Niqabs of/du Canada" <a href="http://t.co/Jgdwq8r3cy">http://t.co/Jgdwq8r3cy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elexn42?src=hash">#elexn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/niqabdebate?src=hash">#niqabdebate</a> <a href="http://t.co/MSumEsrpVX">pic.twitter.com/MSumEsrpVX</a>
—@kylekirkupThe niqab has been the subject of fierce debate during the federal election.
The garment dominated Google searches during the French-language debate, and the Bloc Québécois released a controversial ad featuring an oil spill morphing into a niqab. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper told the CBC's Rosemary Barton that his government would consider banning public servants from wearing them on the job.
"That's a matter we're going to examine," Harper said to Barton. "Quebec, as you know, has legislation on this. We're looking at that legislation. But as I say, we're a society of openness and of equality and this is what we want to promote."
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair have accused Harper of using the niqab as a wedge issue during the campaign.
"I think it's obvious that he's playing very reckless and dangerous games, pitting Canadians against one another for a narrow political goal," Trudeau said on Wednesday
Mulcair was questioned repeatedly by host Guy A. Lepage about his stand on the niqab issue during an appearance on Radio-Canada's Tout le monde en parle.
"In Scrabble, the niqab is a word that's worth 14 points, and that's about as many points as you've lost in the polls over it," Lepage ribbed the NDP leader on Sunday evening.
Mulcair answered with the message he's stuck to for the last two weeks: while he is uncomfortable with the veil personally, in a society with the rule of law, the courts must be respected.
Some people online made their own photos
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/niqabsofcanada?src=hash">#niqabsofcanada</a> Victoria BC version. <a href="http://t.co/wP9M58CjnE">pic.twitter.com/wP9M58CjnE</a>
—@bassbonebobf<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/niqabsofcanada?src=hash">#niqabsofcanada</a> out for a stroll in a McMurray winter. <a href="http://t.co/pIvkLQyWZ2">pic.twitter.com/pIvkLQyWZ2</a>
—@twinmom6I'm wearing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/niqabofcanada?src=hash">#niqabofcanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/leavetheniqabalone?src=hash">#leavetheniqabalone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whyisthisanissue?src=hash">#whyisthisanissue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/voteanyonebutharper?src=hash">#voteanyonebutharper</a> <a href="http://t.co/jBsk3BaDFt">pic.twitter.com/jBsk3BaDFt</a>
—@ErsiliaSerafini