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The population of Muslims in Canada is only about 2.5 percent of their entire population. The Canadian Muslim community was formed in two ways. One was the large number of refugees that flowed into the country. They comprised of refugees from Muslim countries such as Lebanon and Somalia. The other was the professionals seeking a higher standard of living. Whatever way the Muslims entered Canada, they are all immigrants. Other Muslims are the descendants of these immigrants.
Canadian Muslims can be divided into many categories. Some of them are Muslims born in the real Muslim world, the others are Canadian born Muslims, and the remaining are the Western converts. Because of the diversity in language and origin, they are further divided into cultural, linguistic and intellectual groups.
Muslims in Canada mostly live in Toronto. The majority of this population is Somali Muslims. However, the oldest Muslim community in Canada can be found in the Ontario region. Many Lebanese and Somali Muslims reside here. Toronto also houses a large number of Muslims from Pakistan.
One of the greatest advantages for Muslims living in Canada is that there is no racial discrimination against them. The Canadian law forbids any kind of discrimination. Muslims in Canada are permitted to wear the dress ordered by their religion to schools and also to work. They may also celebrate their religious festivals and everyone respects their restrictions with certain kind of food.
It is also amazing to note that way back in 1871, only 13 Muslims lived in Canada. Though the numbers have risen today, it is not astronomical compared to other countries. As an unwritten norm, Muslims in Canada have several organizations that aid the Muslim community alone. Some notable ones are, Canadian Islamic Congress and the Muslim Association of Canada.
Though everything seems rosy among Muslims in Canada, a recent spark went off between liberal and moderate Muslims and Islamic fundamentalists. There is also a rise in protest over young girls covering their heads in situations where they need not do so. This may affect certain fields in education like sports.
Canadian Muslims are now raising their voices over each other about whether the Sharia law may or may not be practiced in Canada. There are organizations for the interests of Muslim women alone in Canada. One of their main objectives is to obtain equality and empowerment for all Canadian Muslim women.
They are also working on the promotion of a Muslim woman in the Canadian context. They help women uphold their rights, and other social and moral responsibilities in the Canadian society. As with American Muslims, Muslims in Canada are strongly against terrorism. Most of them voice their opinions about uniting together to fight terrorism in the world.
The average Canadian Muslim contributes a lot towards the country’s economy. When some people state that they are a burden to the country, this is not at all true. Muslims have engaged in all ethical work to be part of the Canadian society.
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