Quebec Prime Minister Francois Legault said, Thursday, that he «does not really think» that Islamophobic incidents have increased since the government passed a law, banning civil servants from wearing religious symbols. Legault's statement comes as Muslim women wearing hijab or niqab in Quebec told Canadian broadcaster CBC that «since the legislation was tabled in March, they've been harassed, made the target of hateful comments, even spat on». Calling the law on religious symbols a moderate one, Legault defended the legislation saying that women in question «can wear [a hijab] at home and in public places». «We say if you really don't want to remove it, there are four jobs where you can't apply. That's it, that's all», he added. Speaking to CBC, Canadian group «Justice Femme» which recorded a rise in harassment against Muslim women. «Mr. Legault doesn't want to face the reality that is staring him in the face», said Hanadi Saad, the group's president told CBC. «He is living in complete denial, and we hold him accountable for what Muslim women are going through. His denial only aggravates the problem», she added. The bill in question will be preventing civil servants from wearing symbols such as head coverings like the Kippah, turban, hijabs. Civil servants who are already wearing religious symbols «will be exempt from the bill». The ban will also affect judges, crown prosecutors, police officers, prison guards and school teachers.
