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The population of Muslims in Canada is quite low compared to other countries. In fact, they constitute only about 2.5 percent of the country’s population. Naturally there are no native Muslims, and all Muslims in this country are immigrants and their children. There are about 55 mosques in Canada. There are five Islamic schools too. The immigrant population is about equally divided between Middle Eastern Muslims from Egypt to Turkey and South Asians from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia. There are significant numbers from Africa and the Caribbean.
Ontario is the home of nearly three-fifths of Canada Muslims, while Quebec has one-fifth, virtually all in and around Montreal. Ontario’s Muslim population is concentrated in the Greater Toronto area. There are three main problems faced by Canadian Muslims. They are the media (in view of terrorism), the acceptance of pre-marital sex and finding good life partners in the country. It has to be noted that most Americans and Canadians are being affected by Islamophobia after the several terrorist attacks by Muslims across the world.
The media in Canada is mostly unfair to the Muslim community, and repeatedly have issues about the immigrants in their country. Canadian Muslims, like all other Muslims across the world, maintain their lifestyle that is run by the rules of Islam though they live in a Western country. They are also affected by various commercials and other television programs that speak against the rules of Muslims’ faith.
Though the Canadian society is more tolerant than other countries, they too have been involved in racism especially concerning Muslims from Somalia. Not only are they blacks, they are Muslims too. From the point of view of some Canadians this is terrifying, thinking that they would be the target of terrorism like other countries. Muslims have a good future in Canada though, as the culture and religion is becoming more diverse.
Though it may be debated that Muslims are after all immigrants, and they are not of origin in Canada, humanity must be taken into concern here. However the Canadian Muslims still will have to deal with issues of sexuality and marriage and other social and cultural aspects of the Canadian society. They will have to ensure that they maintain their faith among their families and entire community, and also not be influenced by this Western culture, as it may go against the wishes of the Koran.
Post 9/11 many Muslim students have chosen to be a part of the Muslim society in Canada by enrolling in institutes there. They fear racism in the US. Though about 70 percent of the Muslim population in Canada has Canadian citizenship, they are all a majority of the first generation immigrants. There are very few second and third generation immigrants today.
The high diverse culture among Muslims in Canada seems to be a wall between the communication between the Muslim communities that live in Canada. Though these Muslims are known to be highly educated, they still seem to be the largest community with unemployment in Canada. There are several reasons behind this situation.
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