(Photo credit: Peter McCabe, The Gazette)
Most kids have been playing soccer for several weeks already, or are gearing up for the summer season to begin, perhaps once school lets out. Only, here in Quebec, there’s been an issue regarding the allowance of players to wear turbans during the games, which has been ongoing since last year. The rule says if you wear a turban, you cannot play. It is for safety issues, said Brigitte Frot, the executive-director of the Quebec Soccer Federation (QSF), who added that anyone who didn’t like the rule should “play in their backyards” instead. (She sounds like such a charming woman, I can’t even…)
Indeed, the turban-ban restricts the play of the Sikhs who wear them. It’s okay for turbans to be worn for members of the Canadian (and British) military, and for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. But for children (and teens and men) playing soccer, it is tres dangerous. Let it be noted there’s not been one turban-related injury reported to a hospital in Canada ever. So.
Really, Quebec? I call bullshit. And incidentally, so did the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) – late yesterday, they suspended the QSF from competing until this ridiculous ban on religious headgear is lifted.
I look at my own wee daughter, and the mess of curls I pull into a tight ponytail on the top of her head before she plays her games. Had it some fabric on top, it would be the very same size and shape of a keski or patka worn by young Sikh children. And what, I wonder, of kerchiefs for hair? Or hair bands? These are safe enough. It’s religious head coverings that are the problem. (So, what of Jewish kippahs?)
Sikhs wear turbans, (along with uncut hair and beards) to show their devotion to God, as part of one’s commitment to being an upstanding person – this is why they wear them. It is an extension of their physical beings, and it has nothing to do with soccer. Turbans do no impede the game, the playing of, or the enjoyment of the game… head scarves or hijabs were finally allowed for Muslim female players last September, though even that was after a year-long trial period issued by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). And even then, it took four years for the the trial to come about.
(Photo credit: Muhammad Al-Kisswany, The Canadian Press)
And FIFA does not have an official ban against turbans. Nor do any soccer bodies in any other province in Canada – just Quebec. And I’ll say that as much as I love the city of Montreal and Quebec at large, there’s a problem with… how shall I put this… well, xenophobia ain’t exactly a new problem here. It’s scandalous, it’s tiresome, and it violates the very spirit of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms to ban children from playing soccer, just because they wear some silk on their heads. I understand that uniforms should be, um, uniform… but this feels is racist no matter how you try to spin it, and I dare say, had this been talk about a kippah, this discussion might not be taking place now. This is an issue of brownness.
I say bravo to the CSA for adding pressure to the Quebec soccer body.
Giddy-up, Quebec… it’s time to act right. RIGHT NOW. Let’s not have this shameful smudge be part of our Canadian history. It’s embarrassing, to say the very least…
Bravo, Tracey! Well said. This issue is not about safety, but falls squarely in the same category as Quebec’s ban on burqas and niqabs (Bill 94). Now I will say, I have some questions about mandatory religious dress codes (either for men or women) and although I can understand many Muslim women’s assertions that hijabs and modest dress are liberating, I’m not sure about the full on niqab/burqa, and I can see how the safety issue could reasonably be addressed, vis-a-vis driving/running/doing any sport and even testifying in court so attired. But that’s a whole ‘nother post 😉
It’s just another chapter in the strange story of religious/cultural intolerance in Quebec. I wonder, do you think they feel compelled to be xenophobic because their own culture and language have historically always been at risk of assimilation by les maudits anglais in our fair dominion? And what they fight for so passionately must therefore be superior to all other cultures/religions, ergo we ban what is visibly different? Just a ponderin’
You’re exactly right, Kat – I do think this xenophobic issue stems from just wanting people to assimilate, but with a line drawn in the sand(box). It’s a complicated issue that can’t be entirely explained in a short post like this, but one must try to understand people of all walks, and not just demand assimilation. And the more “strange” the religious minority, the tougher it is for the masses to accept. This is understandable, but it seems like there’s more leniency (and a broader education of differences) about, say, the Amish, or orthodox Jews – we “know” more about these cultures than about Sikh culture, or others. (Also with whiter skin, and less “scary”.)The world is getting smaller, though. Cross-culture is everywhere, and demanding assimilation in order to be accepted is narrow-minded and archaic. Sadly, Quebec seems to be a champion in being slow to change.
Great post! I have so many problems with the issue. Discrimination and racism aside, I still can’t figure out what the danger is?
I played house league soccer for over 5 years in Mississauga, Ontario. I am Canadian, being born in Canada. So my issues are many.
I applaud you for differentiating between the turban & keski or patka.
I didn’t know I was in danger???
@BhuDeo
Yeah, I don’t think there’s much of a danger – really, I think the problem stems from not understanding other cultures. Sikhs don’t do anything without their heads being covered in this way… it’s a way of life, but not necessarily a way of “Canadian” life. But the thing is, we’re ALL Canadians, and we need to find ways to get along that are inclusive to as many people as possible, in ways that do not infringe on others. This turban ban? Is completely ridiculous. There’s no “danger” here… just a difference some are using to exclude others with. It’s not right.
Thanks for reading – and thanks for your comment, BhuDeo!
if it was football or baseball i’d say, no way to head coverings as it is a real safety issue.
but, to me, having your hair covered up is waaaay better than having it flying all over the place, ready to be yanked by an errant (or not so errant) hand! even in that picture you have, the hair is flying all over but the girls on the red team…there’s nothing. no distractions and nothing to grab on to.
i wonder what would happen if you did wrap her ponytail in a hanky or something. it’s not religious for you so i wonder how the governing body would react to that?
ponytails are dangerous! no, that’s not a comedic sentence, i’ll show you what happened to my husband’s head because of a ponytail if you like.
I believe you, Julie! Ponytails might be completely wrong for lots of sports. In this case, I just don’t think you can make claims about “danger” when that’s not what it’s about, which is my point. The issue of “safety” is tres weak… I wish people would say what they really mean, rather than hide behind these flimsy ideas of “danger” when they have no idea what they’re talking about. finding ways to include people is always a better idea. I wish Quebec would get on board. Harrumph!!