Some in Windsor's Muslim community are upset after the Conservative government announced it will seek a stay on the recent Federal Court of Appeal decision allowing women to wear a niqab during Canadian Citizenship ceremonies.
Some Muslim women say it's a choice they feel should be respected, including Mahira Saeed.
"In the beginning of grade 9, I decided to wear the head scarf," says Saeed.
In 2010 she made the leap from wearing a hijab to the niqab, a face veil that covers everything but her eyes.
"I definitely feel after five years of wearing that I am a better person based on it. I'm more conscientious of the people around me and what is required of me as a citizen and as a Muslim," she says.
Saeed says she felt the Appeal Court ruling supporting Zunera Ishaq's right to wear the niqab during her citizenship ceremony was a step closer to acceptance.
"Putting myself in her shoes, I would definitely feel that this is a right. That I have and based on the reactions of the people in society I would think that this should be reflected as well in the actual taking of the oath which is what reflects Canadian values," says Saeed.
