Quebec education minister tells Malala to remove headscarf if she wants to teach there and people have thoughts

Quebec’s Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge said on Friday that if Malala Yousafzai wanted to teach in Quebec, she’d have to remove her headscarf.

Yep, he’s really attempting to tell Malala, the woman who stood up to and was shot in the head by the Taliban, what she can wear.

Taking to Twitter, Roberge wrote in French that it would be an honour if Yousafzai wanted to teach in Quebec, but that like in:

Open and tolerant countries, teachers can’t wear religious symbols while they exercise their functions.

Mr Roberge issued the tweet in response to a question from journalist Salim Nadim Valji, who said:

Mr. Roberge, how would you respond if Mme Yousafzai wanted to become a teacher in Quebec?

Mr Roberge had previously shared a photograph of himself with Yousafzai on Twitter, in which he said, again in French:

Nice meeting with @Malala Yousafzai, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, to discuss access to education and international development.

Quebec's controversial Bill 21 states that judges, police officers, teachers and public servants holding other positions aren't allowed to wear public symbols of faith, such as the kippah, turban, or hijab while at work, reports the BBC.

Critics have been vocal on the topic, saying that the legislation is discriminatory and that it will further prevent minorities from integrating into Quebec's society, as well as unfairly targetting Muslim women.

Twitter users were quick to call out Roberge, stating that the controversial bill flies in the face of all the freedoms Yousafzai was trying to defend.

HT Montreal Gazette

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