MONTREAL – The simmering debate over accommodation of religious minorities was rekindled this week when Quebec said it would allow jail guards to wear Islamic head coverings.
The announcement by the Public Security department has outraged critics who say it’s the latest example of an institution caving in to minorities rather than upholding Canadian values.
The case centres around Sondos Abdelatif, a Muslim prison guard in training who refused to remove her head covering — a hijab — in 2007. She was fired as a result and complained to the province’s Human Rights Commission.
Quebec reached a deal ahead of a ruling by the commission.
The department even says it’s willing to provide secure hijabs, which are fastened with Velcro in case an inmate tries to rip it off and use it to assault the guard.
“The ministry will provide the hijab to correctional officers who make a written request (based on) the practice of their religion,” Public Security said in a statement.
The Liberals are allowing hijabs into jails even though they tabled a bill earlier this year that would ban religious symbols in Quebec’s public service. The bill is stalled in the legislature as parties decide whether to impose a total ban on items such as crucifixes.

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