Keffiyeh ban remains at Ontario legislature despite unanimous opposition from provincial parties 

Multiple political leaders are continuing to urge the speaker of the Ontario legislature to reverse his decision to ban Keffiyehs from the provincial assembly even after he rejected their pleas.

Keffiyehs are headdresses worn traditionally across much of the Middle East. However, in recent years they have become a symbol of Palestinian resistance and solidarity. 

Speaker Ted Arnott banned the garments in Ontario’s highest legislative chamber over concerns that adorning the scarf made an overtly political statement, according to multiple reports.

At an unrelated press conference on Thursday morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford came out against the ban, telling reporters it would “just divide the community even more.”

The decision to ban the keffiyeh was made by the speaker and the speaker alone. I do not support his decision as it needlessly divides the people of our province. I call on the speaker to reverse his decision immediately. https://t.co/315ZCyhKPt

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) April 18, 2024

Similarly, Krystin Wong-Tam, NDP MPP for Toronto Centre, shared their disapproval of the ban on X saying, “Our family has several keffiyehs received as gifts and collected from travel. Keffiyehs are culturally important for Arabs including Palestinians and Muslims. Everyone should feel welcome in Ontario, especially at Queen’s Park. I also urge the Speaker to reverse the keffiyeh ban.”

Wong-Tam also shared Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles’ letter addressed to Arnott dated April 12, which urged the speaker to reconsider his decision.

“The Assembly has always permitted members, staff, and guests to openly celebrate their culture, including wearing traditional clothing that represents their history, culture or faith, and I don’t believe it is your intention to change that precedent,” Stiles wrote.

Independent MPP Sarah Jama,for Hamilton Centre and activist also released a statement on X saying the decision was a blatant attempt to silence and vilify minority voices.

“History shows and will continue to show that attempts to ban cultural identity and cultural symbols only strengthens movements of resistance. We must always be vigilant in a society that continuously bans cultural identity, especially those identities that represent resistance and a threat to the status quo that fails them,” she wrote.

A unanimous consent motion moved Thursday morning by Stiles saying the keffiyeh is a culturally significant clothing item in Palestinian, Muslim and Arab communities and should be allowed in the house, was turned down by Arnott after a voice vote, according to the Canadian Press.