Quebec Muslim women 'scared to walk alone'

HanadySaadsaid she was walking along Ren-LvesqueBoulevard in Montreal with her friends a few weeks ago when a stranger yelled at her.

He was starting to say bad words 'Terrorist, go back home, we don't want to see your hijab. You have to take it off,' Saadsaid.

She has lived in Quebec for 23 years and said for the most part, anti-Muslim comments have been rare.

ButSaadsaid in the last month she hasbeen targeted at work, acaf and a grocery store.

I'm a human,you know? I have the right to wear the veil. I have the right, like everybody, to be who I am.

Charter stirs debate

ThePartiQubcois'sproposedcharter of Quebec values has stirred debate over secularism and overt religious symbols ever since it was unveiled in September.

• 5 things Quebec's values charter would do, and 5 it wouldn't

In recent weeks, the Quebec Collective Against Islamophobia (Collectif Qubcois contre l'Islamophobie) said it has seen a 300 per cent increase in complaints about anti-Muslim attacks.

• Montreal bus video appears to show anti-Muslim altercation

• Quebec mosque vandalized with possible pig blood

Spokesman Adil Charkaoui said more and more women are staying at home out of fear.

Today Muslim women wearing veils are scared to go [out] publicly and to walk alone in parks in buses in metros in malls. So this is really dangerous now, Charkaoui said.

Charter to be tabled Thursday

The minister responsible for the charter says the debate surrounding it has been healthy for the most part.

"I maintain that we should be respectful of each other even though we disagree," said Quebec Minister of Democratic Institutions Bernard Drainville.

The Parti Qubcois government is expected to table its legislation for the charter of values on Thursday in the national assembly.

As a minority government, the PQ will need the support of opposition party members if it hopes to pass the controversial proposal.