THAT FFQ recognize that Muslim women choose to wear headscarves for many reasons ;

THAT FFQ supports the autonomy of women in their decisions to wear or not to wear a headscarf, whatever the  form; 

THAT FFQ support Muslim women, whether veiled or not, in their career choices in all spheres of activity;

THAT FFQ continue to reject the imposition of the headscarf. 

THAT FFQ adopt the following declaration: Equality is a universal value. No freedom or right should be  used to perpetuate discrimination against women. The right to equality means nothing unless all economic,  social, cultural, civic and political rights are guaranteed. The FFQ therefore defends all women’s rights. We  consider freedom of religion to be a fundamental right. We do not believe that freedom of belief constitutes an a  priori limit to equality. However, freedom of religion should be in harmony with the principle of equality  between women and men. The FFQ is in favor of religious freedom, but against the fundamentalism of all  religions. The FFQ believes that this same principle must inspire public policies and practices in institutions  under the authority of the Quebec state. 

That said, it is vital to remember that all cultural or religious practices that oppress women and girls must be  denounced as violations of women’s human rights. The most flagrant violations of these rights are often  committed within marriage and the family – particularly with regard to women’s rights to choose their spouse, to  have or not to have children, to divorce, and so on. Most religions also condemn all sexual relations with the  exception of those between a man and a woman and her husband. Only heterosexuality is tolerated. Under no circumstances can the FFQ accept cultural relativism as a justification for violations of women’s rights because these violations are decreed by religious beliefs and justified by freedom of religion. Isn’t the FFQ’s mission to name and condemn all practices that violate women’s rights? That’s why, in the past, we have strongly opposed the establishment of religious arbitration tribunals in family law and polygamy. 

Today, the most conservative political climate in Canada and Quebec has resulted in an increase in the influence  of religion in the political sphere. Certain religious pressure groups are seeking to exert influence, particularly in  the current federal election campaign, against hard-won rights for women’s equality and autonomy. The recent  intervention of Mgr Jean-Claude Turcotte and the Assembly of Quebec Bishops, who took advantage of the  federal election campaign to intervene in the abortion debate by taking a stand in favor of Bill C-484 and  against the awarding of the Order of Canada to Dr Morgentaler, is a flagrant example of this! 

The international situation is also having an impact on the issues raised by the wearing of ostentatious religious  symbols in the Quebec public service. Since September 11, 2001, the world has once again been divided, but on  a more religious basis. Religious identities have taken precedence over national or “ethnic” identities, leading to  a rise in religious fundamentalism. 

The danger of ghettoization or communitarianism looms large on the horizon. This can be caused by the  economic, social, political and cultural exclusion of certain minority groups in society – immigrants, migrants,  blacks, Arabs, Muslims, etc., by religious fundamentalism or by ill-conceived government policies. In addition  to calling into question a collective project for society and the Quebec identity itself, the ghettoization of certain  groups risks engendering greater conflict within society, and a confinement of identity that would rigidly  maintain traditions unfavorable to women. Please understand, we’re not pointing the finger at one culture or  another. 

The secular nature of the State is essential, as is the affirmation of an open and inclusive Quebec society to  ensure equal rights for women and men. As for the process of secularizing the Quebec state, it is ongoing and  still unfinished.