Ehab Lotayef: Law 21 and Islamophobia in Quebec

Campaign coordinator for Non à la loi 21 Ehab Lotayef explains the fight against Law 21 and islamophobia in Quebec.

Since Bill 21 became a law in the summer of 2019 – some public servants wearing a religious symbol, including but not limited to the hijab, niqab, kippa, and turban are barred from working in a government job.

Law 21 is not the first of its kind, as Bill 62, which banned those with face coverings from delivering or receiving public services, was put into effect in 2017 by the former provincial Liberal government. This law was suspended twice as a result of being in violation of the Quebec and Canadian charters. The former government did not decide to appeal this judgement and did not invoke the notwithstanding clause to push for Bill 62.

Premier François Legault and some supporters of Bill 21 aim to identify that this bill doesn’t intend to single out specific religions, but is the next step in modernizing the province, efforts that have been in place since the 1960s.

Ehab wrote a letter to different media outlets explaining the issue with Law 21, in order to spread awareness, and how this law is much more than just about secularism. Ehab was also the creator of the anti-Law 21 buttons to also spread awareness around the law.

Ehab explains how this law furthers islamophobia, xenophobia and racism that already exists in Montreal. He says with the destruction of this law, it will not end islamophobia, xenophobia and racism in the province, however the secular law only furthers these sentiments in the province and allows them to be accepted.

He has also been apart of demonstrations around Law 21, with different protests since the inception of the law to a demonstration held outside of François Legault's Montreal office last summer.

Ehab explains not only the efforts that have been taken to dismantle Law 21, but the steps that need to be taken to remove the law.

This interview is apart of episode 4 of Local 514, focused on Law 21. To watch the full episode, watch here.