Canada: Muslim Community Protests Quebec’s Decision to Prohibit Public Prayer

Image: Jihad Watch

The Canadian province of Quebec is preparing to enforce a sweeping prohibition on all forms of public prayer, marking a significant escalation in its long-standing campaign to entrench secularism in public life.

Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s minister responsible for secularism, stated that the upcoming measures are aimed at accelerating the province’s transition toward a more strictly secular society. His announcement signals the government’s intent to tighten control over religious visibility in public spaces.

According to a report by The Guardian, the provincial government has unveiled an extensive plan to further restrict outward expressions of faith. Critics argue that the proposal not only intrudes into the personal freedoms of residents but also disproportionately targets Muslim communities and other minority religious groups.

The newly introduced Bill 9, presented by the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), would bar prayer in all public institutions, including colleges, universities, and other state-run facilities. The legislation goes beyond indoor spaces and seeks to eliminate communal prayer in outdoor public areas such as streets, sidewalks, and parks. Groups found violating the rules could face fines of up to C$1,125. Only brief, pre-approved public events would be exempt from this sweeping restriction.

This move follows a series of secularism-focused policies introduced by the CAQ. In 2019, the government passed the highly contentious Bill 21, which prohibited certain public sector employees—such as teachers, police officers, and government officials—from wearing religious symbols while on duty. Now, the CAQ intends to widen the scope of these restrictions by extending the ban on religious symbols to staff members in daycares, colleges, universities, and even private educational institutions.

Additionally, the proposed measures would outlaw full face coverings for anyone within these institutions, including students, marking yet another expansion of the province’s secularism agenda. Critics fear these developments represent a troubling erosion of religious freedom, while supporters claim they are essential for protecting the neutrality of public spaces.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)