A plan to build a new suburb dedicated to Muslims runs counter to Quebec’s values, Premier Philippe Couillard said from Morocco on Tuesday.
Couillard was reacting to a plan by a tax accountant to build up to 80 houses for Muslim families on 100 hectares of land near Brossard.
Nabil Warda, 68, said he will submit a real-estate development plan Friday to the Islamic Community Centre of South Shore—Brossard to build a community for about 100 Muslim families.
The idea behind the project is to allow Muslims to borrow money in a way that is compliant with Sharia law, which prohibits borrowing money where interest is payable. It would allow Sharia-compliant banks to own the property as an asset and make money through “rent.”
But Couillard said the idea is discriminatory.
“Discrimination works in many ways, and so does inclusion; we are in favour of mixed housing for cultural communities and religious groups,” Couillard said.
The statement flies in the face of comments made by Health Minister Gaétan Barrette, who represents the area in question. In an interview with Radio-Canada on Monday morning, Barrette said he doesn’t have a problem with the idea, comparing it to Chinatown in Montreal. [Presse Canadienne] Read more
