A tidal wave of social media ridicule engulfed Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper after saying the niqab, a face-covering veil worn by some Muslim women, is “rooted in a culture that is anti-women.”
Harper made the statements in the House of Commons on Tuesday, CTV reports. He also said that donning facial veils during state ceremonies is “offensive” to “most Canadians.”
Women soon started tweeting pictures of their outfits at the prime minister with the hashtag #dresscodePM, urging Harper to “approve” of their clothing choices.
Dear @pmharper, is it inappropriate if my bare knees are showing today? #dresscodePM #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/274dGQUOu1
— Alexandrine (@ALatendresseNPD) March 11, 2015
“Shouldn’t the Canadian government focus on tackling real gender inequality in meaningful ways, instead of telling grown-ass Muslim women how to dress?” blogger Shireen Ahmed asked, urging readers to use the hashtag.
Amira Elghawaby, of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, told CTV: “What I actually think is anti-women, is for the state or anyone at all to be telling women what they can or cannot wear.”
Harper’s comments come as Canadian government is appealing a federal court decision that permits new Canadians to cover their faces while taking the citizenship oaths.
And it isn’t the first time the prime minister has criticized face veils.
“I believe, and I think most Canadians believe that it is offensive that someone would hide their identity at the very moment where they are committing to join the Canadian family,” Harper said in February.
#DressCodePM has been tweeted 1,500 times, according to Hashtracker.
Check out some of the #dresscodePM tweets, below:
.@pmharper My outfit OK? Am I still part of the ‘Canadian family’?
#dresscodePM #listennotsave
http://t.co/r37Jwnq2zm pic.twitter.com/0itrq8HUjO
— Footybedsheets (@_shireenahmed_) March 11, 2015
Stephen Harper forgive me for I have sinned, I dressed without your consent this morning #DressCodePM #Doyouapprove pic.twitter.com/ptkz5bFikd
— Amna Qureshi (@Amnamaq) March 11, 2015
#dresscodePM Mollie wears a tie, is that OK ;). In all seriousness, at least apologise, and explain view. pic.twitter.com/ym5B9qHRva
— Sean (@Sean_Dog_Owner) March 11, 2015
Some women pointed out that face coverings are a traditional Canadian winter survival technique.
Hey Harper, do you approve of what wearing when I’m bundled up for Alberta’s cold winter? #dresscodePM #listennotsave pic.twitter.com/xeqqJwKS5p
— Sarah Kalim (@SarahKalim) March 11, 2015
Hope this is alright with Mr. Harper …
Is that enough forehead? #dresscodePM #FaceCleavage pic.twitter.com/jgyu3xMIix— jaymes stephen (@still_jaymes) March 11, 2015
Hey @pmharper in #Winnipeg is it ok to cover our face like this when it’s cold or is it too much? #dresscodepm pic.twitter.com/Pz9AaPsxok
— Nicole Rosen (@ecaduc) March 11, 2015
"@cocoazafreen: hey @pmharper in the middle of the winter, i looked like this, am i un-canadian? #dresscodepm pic.twitter.com/Z5Wic6ITjc"
— Murray Munro (@MurrayMunro68) March 11, 2015
Others drew attention to their careers
Hey, @pmharper, I’m not smart enough to dress myself. Does my stethoscope work with my outfit? #dresscodePM #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/8Jb6OGFNAb
— Amina Jabbar (@AminaJabbar) March 11, 2015
@pmharper Perhaps I shouldn’t gown and mask in OR when I’m assisting at a C section? Suspicious. #dresscodePM pic.twitter.com/ntmgIyNU5l
— Jenna Robertson (@jennarosaa) March 11, 2015
This photo of Harper in costume also made the rounds.
After sporting this ensemble, @pmharper has no credibility to tell anyone how to dress #dresscodepm #niqab #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/GsoM4B8b3w
— Shamini S (@shaminis) March 11, 2015
Source: Huff Post