Canada PM Stephen Harper calls niqab 'anti-women'; faces ridicule on Twitter

Twitter users turned to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for tongue-in-cheek fashion advice on Wednesday, the day after he said the niqab, a face covering veil worn by some Muslims, was rooted in an "anti-women" culture. Using the hashtag #dresscodePM, users of the social media service criticized Harper, who made the comment as part of an ongoing push by the ruling Conservatives to ban face coverings in Canadian citizenship ceremonies.

I'm thinking of wearing white shoes before May 24. Is that still considered tacky? #dresscodePM

— Sarah Dearing (@sarahdearing) March 11, 2015

What's your take on leggings @pmharper ? Do they count as pants? #dresscodePM

— Sarah S. (@FrugalRock) March 11, 2015

Wearing a scarf today but only around my neck. Hope that's okay @pmharper #dresscodePM

— Christine Lund (@CLundLaw) March 11, 2015

Harper's definition of "Canadian Values" is so utterly Colonial/Eurocentric it belongs in the 1700s #dresscodePM

— Selma Tobah (@stobah) March 12, 2015

Just realised, since @pmharper will now have to approve every Canadian woman's outfit he won't have time to ruin the country.#DressCodePM

— Morgan Baskin (@MorganBaskinTO) March 11, 2015

Shireen Ahmed, a Toronto-area woman who tweets as @_shireenahmed_, posted a picture of herself wearing a hockey jersey and a hijab head scarf.

.@pmharper My outfit OK? Am I still part of the 'Canadian family'? #dresscodePM #listennotsave http://t.co/r37Jwnq2zm pic.twitter.com/0itrq8HUjO

— Footybedsheets (@_shireenahmed_) March 11, 2015

do you like how my hijab matches my mug of your male tears? stop telling women how to dress @pmharper #dresscodePM pic.twitter.com/jcfg5V3DqY

— sarah, plain & tall (@geekylonglegs) March 11, 2015

Others took aim at the idea that the niqab is a symbol of an oppressive culture.

The #DressCodePM has implied Some outfits are simply offside (E.g., the niqab) And the government's job Is to be our sartorial guide.

— Limericking (@Limericking) March 12, 2015

pic.twitter.com/i8H79ahUMX @pmharper Too oppressive or too much awesome? #dresscodePM #listennotsave Sorry can't dial down awesomeness.

— TheSalafiFeminist (@AnonyMousey) March 11, 2015

#dresscodePM Taking an oath. pic.twitter.com/syak6BvnKc

— Mary Ellen Davis (@RubyMcrae) March 12, 2015

Dream @pmharper, is this woman's outfit and headwear offensive to you too? #dresscodePM pic.twitter.com/dLOptfwEJx

— Rob Bieber Ⓥ (@rob_bieber) March 12, 2015

Perhaps eager to teach his child a lesson in the lawmaking powers of the federal government, Vancouver writer Ryan Knighton tweeted: 

Raining in Vancouver today. My eight-year-old daughter doesn't want to wear her rain coat. Please legislate. #dresscodePM

— Ryan Knighton (@ryanknighton) March 11, 2015

The Canadian government moved last month to appeal a court ruling allowing Muslim women to wear face coverings while taking their citizenship oath. At the time, Harper said it was "offensive that someone would hide their identity at the very moment where they are committing to join the Canadian family." His most recent comments came in response to opposition leader Justin Trudeau, who on Tuesday accused the ruling Conservative party of fueling prejudice against Muslim Canadians.

The #dresscodePM hashtag was launched by Canadian humor columnist Tabatha Southey, who tweeted on Wednesday morning:

As long as a the niqab remains an issue for him, it behooves all women of Canada to check w/@pmharper each morn as they dress. #dresscodePM

— Tabatha Southey (@TabathaSouthey) March 11, 2015

Just about to get dressed, was thinking white blouse, green Celine skirt, white tights, is that ok, @pmharper? #dresscodePM

— Tabatha Southey (@TabathaSouthey) March 11, 2015

With agency inputs.

Also Read: Canadian judge refuses to hear woman's case until she removes hijab