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Is Herouxville crossing the line?
by Michelle Minnoch

The rural Quebec town of Herouxville adopted a Town Code on January 25th, and it has angered two Muslim groups, The Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) and the Canadian Muslim Foundation.

The code outlines "expected" behaviour from immigrants who decide to move to that town.

The rules of the new code include banning kirpans (ceremonial dagger's) and head scarves (except on Halloween), and states women can drive and write cheques, but "cannot be stoned to death".

The Muslim groups have decided to file a human rights complaint over these immigration policies.

Rightfully so.

I understand that every community may have a few distinct laws that their neighbouring municipalities do not share - that is why each town or city has it's own government; to make decisions and set rules out specific to that areas needs. The Town of Innisfil, for example, may allow ATV's on the road during certain hours, but you won't find that in the City of Vaughan.

The issue with the ceremonial dagger may seem justified, but we also have to understand the reason why it is worn.

The Kirpan is a ceremonial sword or dagger worn by all baptized Sikhs.

The kirpan has a physical function (defensive weapon), and a symbolic function. Physically it is an instrument of "Ahimsa", or non-violence; the principle of ahimsa is to prevent violence.

Traditionally, the kirpan is a tool to be used to prevent violence from being done to a defenceless person.

Symbolically, the kirpan represents the power of truth to cut through untruth. It is the cutting edge of the enlightened mind.

The issue of the ceremonial dagger was brought to light years ago, when a Sikh RCMP officer wanted to carry one, as per his religious beliefs; there has also been many cases of teenagers who practice their faith and want to carry one to school. As schools may not want students to carry potential "weapons", this is understandable - the last thing a school wants is to be on the six o'clock news, due to an incident between a student injury and a kirpan.

While we live in a somewhat tolerant society, a country which tries to accommodate and understand the religious rights and beliefs we are not all familiar with, we also live in a country in which there are many who are understandably uncomfortable getting onto a bus, working with, or passing by a person who carries a blade that can run between three inches and three feet. While Canada opens its doors to people from other parts of the world, we also open our doors to their customs. Yes, a line has to be drawn somewhere, and it has to be clearly defined - those coming into our country have to see where we are coming from, as we try to accept that with certain faiths come specific rules; accommodation is key, but understanding is fundamental.

Acceptance is another issue.

Another hot button issue is the head scarves. While I am learning about the issue, I saw on a program last week, in which a Muslim woman explained that Muslim women cover their bodies, including a head scarf, and must do so in the presence of men - they can only not be fully covered around men in their family - husband, sons, father, etc.

A point to mention; it's a good thing the Town outlined that women can drive and write cheques but cannot be stoned to death - with all the recent stoning going on in Canada these days, I guess certain rules must be put in print!

The Town of Herouxville says while they do not oppose immigrants settling in their town, there are a few "ground rules" that have been established and must be abided by.

They are not be discriminatory, they are not intolerant, they are just laying down the law for the citizens of their community.

If you look up the word 'bliss' in the Webster's Dictionary, the definition is as follows; "great but quiet enjoyment; perfect happiness, heavenly joy".

If ignorance is bliss, then Herouxville must be the happiest place on earth.