Order to take off niqab pits law against religion
Woman to appeal ruling forcing her to unveil face in sexual assault trial

by Betsy Powell
Toronto Star
February 2, 2009

http://www.islamist-watch.org/1300/order-to-take-off-niqab-pits-law-against-religion

Excerpt:

A judge has ordered a Toronto woman to testify without her niqab at a sexual assault trial – raising the thorny issue of whether Muslim women should be allowed to appear as witnesses wearing a veil that covers everything but the eyes.

The issue is a collision of two rights, pitting religious freedom against the right of a defendant to face an accuser in open court.

The case could be precedent setting because it doesn't appear there is any Canadian case law addressing the question of Muslim women in the courtroom. In Canada, home to about 580,000 Muslims, the case will be closely watched, amid fears about Muslim women coming forward in criminal cases.

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