Quebec town's rules anger minorities

HEROUXVILLE, Quebec, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A southern Quebec town is being accused of xenophobia for issuing a statement telling minorities they are welcome only if they conform to the local lifestyle.

The town council of Herouxville issued a set of wide-ranging rules for immigrants this week that resulted in protests from Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and Jehovah's Witnesses, a Globe and Mail correspondent reported.

Officials for the town of 1,300, about 100 miles northeast of Montreal, said in their statement such practices as isolating boys and girls and women and men is not allowed and that covering the face is banned except at Halloween.

"Don't be surprised, this is normal for us," the statement said.

The town also criticized Muslim halal and Jewish kosher dietary requirements.

"If our children eat meat, for example, they don't need to know where it came from or who killed it. Our people eat to nourish the body, not the soul," the councilors wrote.

The newspaper said Sikhs were angered by the town's refusal to recognize the ceremonial daggers called kirpans men wear on their legs, while Jehovah's Witnesses protested the town saying doctors didn't require permission to perform blood transfusions.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International