The Canadian Press
MONTREAL — Supporters of Quebec’s secularism law testified in court today that religious symbols have no place in schools.
Nadia El-Mabrouk, a computer science professor at Universite de Montreal, told the court that when a teacher wears a religious symbol in the classroom, it sends a sexist message to the children.
El-Mabrouk, who is Muslim, says she believes religious education should be left to parents.
Bill 21 prohibits certain government employees — including police officers, prison guards and teachers — from wearing religious symbols while they are working.
The hearings in Montreal combine four lawsuits challenging the 2019 law.
Philosophy professor Francois Dugre told the courtroom today that while a teacher who wears a religious symbol might not be openly proselytizing, their clothing makes free discussion in the classroom more difficult.
