Canadian media reports Muslim girl expelled from karate class for wearing hijab


(MENAFN) The Quebec Human Rights Commission is advocating for a USD13,000-settlement on behalf of a 12-year-old Muslim girl who was expelled from her karate class for wearing a hijab, according to reports from Canadian media on Friday. The Commission stated that the plaintiffs experienced feelings of injustice and exclusion, expressing concerns about the impact of this incident on their daughter.

The situation arose when an instructor at Montreal’s Karate Auto Defence Lamarre informed the girl that she could not participate unless she removed her hijab. The instructor defended this decision by citing the karate philosophy that all students must wear the same uniform. The girl left the class in tears.

However, Karate Canada, the national governing body for the sport, clarified that head coverings are permitted. They noted that they have actively advocated for the inclusion of head coverings in competitions, and the world karate federation has officially approved the use of hijabs in such events.

It's important to note that Karate Auto Defence Lamarre is not affiliated with Karate Canada. The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) expressed that experiences like this can be deeply distressing and may have lasting effects on young individuals. Shaheen Ashraf, a board member of the CCMW, emphasized the need for people to advocate for their rights, stating that such issues relate to fundamental human rights.

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