CAIR.CAN welcomes FIFA ruling regarding accommodation of Sikh turban - For Immediate Release – (Ottawa – June 14, 2013) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR.CAN), a national Muslim civil liberties organization, today welcomed the clear direction provided by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA, the world’s governing body on soccer, authorizing the wearing of male head covers at all levels of Canadian soccer. Until now the Quebec Soccer Federation has stated, without providing any evidence to support its claims, that the Sikh turban as an article of faith presented a safety hazard and that the rules of FIFA did not specifically indicate that the turban was an acceptable as part of a team uniform. In a statement CAIR.CAN said: "While it has always been our position that FIFA’s mandate does not supersede the rights of all Canadians to be free from religious discrimination in Canada, we applaud FIFA for issuing this statement which unequivocally clarifies its stance regarding the acceptability of religious head covering for males according to a clearly identified set of criteria,” said CAIR.CAN Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee. “It is our hope that, in light of this ruling, the Quebec Soccer Federation will reverse its ill-advised ban on the turban and allow all Quebec soccer players, regardless of their age or faith, to participate in the sport which is celebrated around the world. As others have said and we echo, just let the children play.” CAIR.CAN is a national, non-partisan, non-profit grassroots organization striving to be a leading voice that enriches Canadian society through Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:34:00 +0000
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