Administration of The Oath
The Oath of Citizenship must be recited by all citizenship candidates in Canada in order to obtain citizenship, save for those with disabilities of speech and minors. However, all must sign the oath, with parents signing on behalf of any of their children under the age of 14. These actions are typically carried out in the context of a citizenship ceremony, approximately 2,500 of which take place each year, and are functions normally presided over by a citizenship judge. The governor general, a lieutenant governor, a Member of the Order of Canada, a Member of the Order of Military Merit with the rank of colonel or captain and above, members of the Royal Victorian Order, and holders of the Victoria Cross may be guest presidents at a ceremony. These events also include the participation of a clerk of the court and, when available, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer. The Canadian flag must be displayed, along with other national symbols, including a portrait of the reigning monarch.
The RCMP officer opens the ceremony, followed by the clerk introducing the candidates for citizenship, stating: "Your Honour, these people assembled here have qualified for Canadian citizenship and appear before you to take the Oath of Citizenship." The judge addresses the crowd with a short speech outlining the duties and responsibilities of being a Canadian citizen, after which the clerk instructs the participants to stand, raise their right hand, and recite the Oath of Citizenship in either French or English as read by the judge. The judge then presents each new citizen their Certificate of Citizenship. The ceremony is concluded with the singing of the national anthem in English and French.
It has been stated by Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, of the Islamic Institute of Toronto, that Muslims may take the Oath of Citizenship "as long as you are clear in your mind that you are doing so without contravening the sovereignty of Allah" and that reciting it should not be viewed as a form of shirk.
Read more about this topic: Oath Of Citizenship (Canada)
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