‘It’s suffocating’: Teacher at French-language school wants Bill 21 abolished

MONTREAL (CityNews) — Montreal teacher Maha Kassef says Quebec’s Bill 21 continues to be a significant burden on her life after a court mostly upheld the controversial secularism law.

Kassef, who works at a French school in Montreal, says the province’s so-called religious symbols ban is still deeply affecting her and her career goals.

This comes after a superior court justice ruled Tuesday that only English-language school boards and members of Quebec’s National Assembly were exempt from the law. French school boards are not exempt.

“It’s suffocating. It’s really frustrating,” said Kassef. “I’m trying to move forward, trying to establish something here and I can’t because all of these different things that have nothing to do with my competencies are holding me back.

“Why should I give up my religious background in order to have a life, to have a career?”

Kassef is technically part of the grandfather clause for Bill 21. That means she’s able to wear her hijab on the job, but only if she stays in her current role. She will not be able to move up and pursue her goal of becoming a principal if she continues to wear the hijab.

“It affects me if I move up and it also affects me if I suddenly decide I’m moving off island and I decide I’m moving school boards,” she said. “I cannot move school boards. I’m not grandfathered in any other school board.”

Critics are calling Tuesday’s decision a victory insofar as English school boards are concerned, even though the Quebec government will appeal the decision.

READ MORE: Despite Bill 21 ruling, Quebec English school boards must await appeal before hiring

It’s only partially good news for new teaching graduate Fatima Ahmad, who can now work in English schools like she always wanted.

But Ahmad, who wears a face veil and did not want to remove it while teaching in class, says Bill 21 continues to be problematic.

“I’m thinking less about how my doors are opening and I’m thinking more about the youth growing up in this culture of Bill 21,” she said. “That’s my main concern and how that will impact their health. And also about Muslim women who have been targeted a long time.

“This bill has been affecting people from different religions, primarily affecting those wearing the hijabs. I’ve been targeted many times because of what I wear. And that impact is the worst.”

Meanwhile Kassef says she intends to stay strong in her convictions and won’t move to the English side. She ultimately wants Bill 21 abolished entirely.

“I understand that the anglophone sector is protected under certain rights,” she said. “But in essence, we’re all teachers.

“I was raised in Quebec. The real Quebec values I was taught in elementary school was to stand up for your rights.”