Day 6

Quebec officials accused of enforcing a de facto mosque moratorium

Haroun Bouazzi, co-president of the Association of Muslims and Arabs for a Secular Quebec, says authorities are trying to shut down existing mosques and stop new mosques from opening in Montreal communities where there is a demand for Muslim places of worship.
Muslims observe Eid, the last day of Ramadan, at the Shah Jalal Islamic Center Friday, September 10, 2010 in Montreal. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz)

In recent months at least four mosques in the Montreal area and beyond have been shut down, slated for closure or prevented from opening. Haroun Bouazzi, co-president of the Association of Muslims and Arabs for a Secular Quebec, says authorities are actively trying to shut down existing mosques and stop new mosques from opening. He says they are using zoning laws to do it.