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QUEBEC CITY— The newly minted minister for the status of women wasted no time in stating publicly she believes the hijab is a symbol of female oppression.

In the news conference that announced her appointment, to go along with her portfolio of junior education minister, Isabelle Charest was asked to wade in about the head scarf worn by some Muslim women.

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She responded that the garb did not correspond to her values and it was not a way for a woman to prosper in society. She added that it signified a form of oppression toward women.

“The hijab is not something that women should wear,” she said. “It symbolizes a form of oppression toward women, the fact they have to cover themselves up. It is not in my values and I think women should be free to wear what they want.”