Even though the majority of Canadians feel uncomfortable around women wearing the niqab, nearly two thirds of Canadians believe that whether a woman wears a niqab is none of their business as it is a matter of personal choice, according to a new poll.

While 51 percent “feel uncomfortable around women wearing” a niqab and “prefer if women in Canada did not wear the niqab in public places”, 64 percent agreed that “regardless of whether I like the niqab, it’s not really my place to say what others should or shouldn’t wear”, with 55 percent agreeing that “it should be a matter of personal choice in Canada if a woman wishes to wear” one.

The hijab does not cause as much concern among Canadians as the niqab, with only 22 percent feeling uncomfortable around a women wearing one and 33 percent preferring women in Canada to not wear one in public.

Majority of Canadians also agree that Muslim women who wear the hijab (71%) or niqab (58%) “do so as a matter of their own personal choice”.

While 62 percent agree that they “the Muslim faith is in some ways ‘anti-women“, nearly the same proportion (61%) also believe that “many religions could be described as somewhat ‘anti women“

Majority of Canadians seem to be siding with the Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the issue of wearing a niqab during citizenship ceremonies, with 64% agree that “it’s appropriate to have rules for what people wear in citizenship ceremonies”.

“I believe, and I think most Canadians believe that it is — it is offensive that someone would hide their identity at the very moment where they are committing to join the Canadian family,” Harper said as the government vowed toappeal a court ruling allowing Toronto woman Zunera Ishaq to wear a niqab while taking the oath of citizenship. “This is a society that is transparent, open and where people are equal, and that is just, I think we find that offensive; that is not acceptable to Canadians and we will proceed with action on that.”

Even though the majority of the Canadians agree with the sentiment, the vast majority of seem to disagree with the Prime Minister making such comments with 60% feeling “political leaders should generally avoid making comment on religious customs”.