2 niqabs and a hijab: 3 Muslim women talk about the face covering

Amid a national debate that's filled the Twittersphere and the public square, the voices of Muslim women are often under-represented in the conversation. We hear from a panel of women who wear the niqab — or used to.

Ever since Prime Minister Stephen Harper made his remarks in the House of Commons last week, the niqab has found itself at the centre of a national debate. Unlike the hijab, which covers a woman's hair, the niqab covers the entire face of the women who wear it — revealing only their eyes. 

Last month, a federal court judge ruled that Zunera Ishaq, a Canadian permanent resident, could indeed wear the niqab during her citizenship ceremony, in spite of a 2011 policy against the practice put forward by the Conservative government. But Stephen Harper is adamant — and has vowed to appeal the decision.

It has become a hot button issue, with passionate arguments from both sides, and a sarcastic uprising on Twitter, questioning the Prime Minister's place in dictating dress codes.

We invited three women to share their thoughts:

Shomyla Hammad is from Mississauga, Ontario and wears the niqab. 

Khadra Ali wore the niqab for a year, before deciding to take it off. 

Rezan Mosa is a student at Western University who wears the niqab. 

This segment was produced by The Current's Pacinthe Mattar and intern Samira Mohyeddin.