Muslim women's group 'disgusted' by Bloc ad against niqab

A new ad by the Bloc Qubcoistargeting the niqab"drives a wedge" between Muslims and other Quebecersand insinuates that Muslim citizens are foreigners in the country,aspokeswomanfor a group of Muslim women says.

The ad released on Friday shows a drop of oil morphing into a niqaband attacks the New Democratic Party's position on allowing niqabs during citizenship ceremonies.

"I was disgusted,"SamaaElibyariof theCanadian Council of Muslim Womensaid. "Doesn't [Bloc Leader Gilles] Duceppeoffer something more substantial in his program?"

• Bloc Qubcois targets NDP over niqabs, pipelines in controversial new ad

The ad, which aims to win back support fromthe NDP, received swift criticism online, withNDP spokespersonKarl Blanger comparing it to the rhetoric used by France's far-rightFront Nationalparty.

Elibyaridoesn't wear a niqab herself,butbelieves Muslim women should be allowed to make that choice on an individual basis, depending on their beliefs and their own interpretation of Islam.

"Very fewwomen weartheniqab, but the ad chooses to take theniqabas a symbol for Muslims and identify them as something foreign," Elibyari said.

She saidthe province has changed since she first moved here, and the Bloc'sad is a sign of the growing fear and intolerance towards Muslims.

"I came to a Quebec that welcomed me with opened arms. I came to a Quebec that was curious about my culture and my religion," she said."Whereas now Isee a kind of exclusion, an aggressivenessbeing used as a political tool."