Montreal's Muslim community feels 'used' by political parties

Some leaders inMontreal's Muslim community are accusing the federalpoliticalparties of using their religion to score points with voters.

This comes after several election campaign signs have been found vandalized with anti-Muslim messages.

"Here we are again the same situation repeated in each and every political big event, such as elections," saidSamerMajzoub, president of the Canadian Muslim Forum.

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Majzoubsaid he got many calls after Montreal Muslimsspotted several defaced election signs around the city.

In the riding ofPierrefonds-Dollard, the words "No Muslim, no terrorism" were scrawled onpieces of paper glued to the signs of NDP candidateLysaneBlanchette-Lamothe.

Majzoubsaid he calledBlanchette-Lamothe'scampaign office, and volunteers were dispatchedto take down the signs.

On one sign in thePapineauriding, someone spray-painted aniqaboverthe face of NDP candidate AnneLagacDowson.

Majzoub said members of his community have also complained about the graffiti on a sign of NDP leader Tom Mulcair in Outremont, where vandals also spray-painted a niqab on his likeness.

Montreal police said they were also alerted about the signs by a citizen. No official complaint was filed, however, and no investigation is planned.

Majzoub believes the NDP signs were targeted specifically because ofthe party's stance on the niqab.

On Wednesday, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said he supports the current requirement that women show their faces at some point in the citizenship process butthat they should not be forced to remove a face covering while taking the oath of citizenship.

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"This [stance] may not be liked by others," Majzoub said. "It is being used as political foible."

The Bloc Qubcois released an adlast weekattacking the NDP's position on allowing niqabs during citizenship ceremonies.

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Meanwhile, the Conservatives vowed to reintroduce theniqabban at citizenship swearing-in ceremonies within 100 days of re-election.

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'This should not be an election issue,' Majzoub says

Majzoub fears a small minority is turning a minor issue that affects few Canadians into a major one.

"We strongly believe it is being used for a political reason, to increase this anti-Muslim sentiment, hoping to earn or reduce the support of the Liberals or NDP, especially in Quebec," Majzoub said, adding that only an extremely small percentage of Canadians wear the niqab.

"I, myself, have been here for 27 years. I haven't ever seen a lady with a niqab, except for on television," he said.

"We're not talking about a majority issue. We're talking about a minority of women with niqabs. So suddenly, to have it on week eight of the elections, it is so clear that it's being used as a political football to earn votes."