text: I suspect part of what may be it at play here is an understandable confusion over the mixed messages we receive over religion.  
  
  For the past 20 years or so Christianity, or at least overt or public Christianity, has been strongly discouraged as civic Canada has further and further refined its secular governance.  I don't think it was Christianity per se which was the target in as much as it was the idea that religious beliefs should not be a factor in public policy - and that's fine.  
  
  Islam comparatively young religion is therefore still very fundamental in its practice and, at a time where we have accepted a post-Christian state,  it seems to have become a badge for progressive accommodation of the 'other' and people are no doubt confused  as to why must be discouraged and the other encouraged.