Canadian Appeals Court Invalidates Niqab Ban At Citizenship Ceremonies

In Canada yesterday the Federal Court of Appeal in a rapid ruling from the bench following a half-day hearing held that the government's guideline banning the wearing of the niqab when taking the citizenship oath at naturalization ceremonies is invalid. According to the National Post, the judges moved quickly so that Zunera Ishaq could obtain her citizenship in time to vote in the October 19 federal election. The appeals court affirmed a lower court's ruling (see prior posting) that the policy against face coverings violates the government's own citizenship regulations. At the appeals court hearing, a Justice Department lawyer conceded that the face covering policy is not mandatory because a mandatory policy cannot be imposed through a mere guideline.