Sask. Muslims unhappy niqab an issue in federal election

People from Saskatchewan's Muslim community are not happy the niqab has become a divisive issue in the federal election.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper has said that women should not be allowed to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies.

As Harper prepares to visit Saskatoon for a campaign rally on Tuesday, the issue of the niqab ban has become a hot-button issue locally, especially with local Muslims.

"To ban the niqab would go directly against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," said Economics student Aycha Yildirim. "They're benefiting from talking about this even though it's such a small issue."

Speaking on The Morning Edition as part of a panel on the issue, the women said the issue was an intrusive push into their lives.

"Most Canadians would be appalled if we were talking about the length of womens' skirts in the workplace," said teacher Sabreena Haque. "It seems to me talking about women's face covering is a non-issue. It affects a tiny percentage of Muslim women who wear it. And I think there are so many more issues we should be discussing."

Political Studies Professor Joe Garcea said this is a 'wedge issue' designed to steal voters away from other parties.

"It's appealing to certain kinds of fears and certain kinds of prejudices," said Garcea. "It's an unfortunate part of our politics right now."

The Saskatoon chapter of the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan said they don't know of anyone in Saskatoon who actually wears a niqab.

"Ignoring the issue is the best thing we can do," said board member Nabil Asfour, who refused to comment any further on it being used as an election issue.