Quebec: The Quebec government is preparing legislation to ban public prayers this fall, a move that has alarmed Muslim groups who say it unfairly targets their community. The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) described the proposed ban as discriminatory and politically motivated.
NCCM CEO Stephen Brown said the idea that praying in public is dangerous is “absurd.” He pointed out that people from other communities also gather in public for religious or cultural reasons without attracting scrutiny. “When organizers of pro-Palestinian demonstrations hold prayers, they have permits for the space. The question is whether Quebec will start policing messages before granting permits,” he said.
The debate follows tensions over Muslim prayers held during pro-Palestinian protests, including one outside Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica. In December, the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) voiced discomfort with such practices. The issue gained traction after an independent committee recommended measures to strengthen secularism. The report suggested municipalities should decide on public prayer regulations but stopped short of calling for a provincial ban.
Some local leaders, like Côte-Saint-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, welcomed the province’s involvement but insisted prayers must not obstruct streets. Critics argue the legislation is more about politics than secularism. Brown called it an attempt to boost government popularity before next year’s election.
Political analyst Tom Mulcair echoed this view, saying the CAQ is appealing to its base, which holds unease toward Muslims. Secularism Minister Jean-Francois Roberge defended the plan, saying he is committed to fulfilling his mandate to strengthen secularism.
