A History of Muslims in Canada
The first recorded presence of Muslim communities in Canada dates back to the state formation period in the 1860s. Islam is now considered to be the most declared religion after Christianity, with flourishing and expansive religious communities across Canada. Today, we are privileged enough to reflect on the various journeys, challenges, and accomplishments that communities before us withstood to create a prosperous environment for Canadian Muslims in the present. Coming from various regions, such as South Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa, Canada’s Muslim communities embody a diverse and enriching mix of traditions, languages, dialects, and experiences that contribute to Canadian society.
“James and Agnes Love, a young couple who had converted to Islam and migrated to Ontario, were the first recorded Muslims in Canada.”
“Mahommah Baquaqua contributed to literature and history by narrating his story as a West African enslaved in Brazil, known as the Underground Railroad, while in Ontario. (Photo credit: Associated Press)”
“Muslim labourers from Syria, Lebanon, Albania, Yugoslavia and Mongolia were recruited to in build the Canada Pacific Railway. (Photo: Wooden trestle bridge, CPR, Source VPL)”
“Bedouin Ferran (Peter Baker) journeyed to the Northwest Territories and worked as a fur trader. He published “Memoirs of an Arctic Arab: The Story of a Free-Trader in Northern Canada” (1976), making a pertinent contribution to literature and politics. Ferran also became one of the first Muslims to be elected in public office. (Photo credit: Yellowknife publishing).”
“Komagata Maru, a steamship carrying a multi-faith group from Punjab attempted to challenge immigration policies by coming to Vancouver, BC but were denied entry. 27 of the passengers were Muslims, while the majority were Sikhs. (Photo: Passengers aboard the SS Komagata Maru, 1914, Source City of Vancouver)”
“Early Muslim settlements began to emerge and were concentrated in Ontario and Alberta, and eventually shifting towards Quebec.”
“Led by Hilwi Hamdon, the first Canadian mosque, Al-Rashid Mosque , was built in Edmonton when there were reportedly 700 Muslims in the country. (Source: Al Rashid Mosque)”
“The Islamic Studies program at McGill University was inaugurated”
“Ontario’s first mosque, the London Muslim Mosque , was opened in London by Muslim families who formed the Canadian Muslim Benevolent Society.
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“Canada removed the European Immigration Preferences, which promoted an increase in Muslim arrivals in Canada.”
“The Islamic Foundation of Toronto was established, being one of the oldest Muslim organizations in Canada (Photo credit: Umar Shahzad)
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“Toronto’s first mosque, the Bosnian Islamic Center, opened. Muslim Croats from Bosnia and Albanians pushed to establish the centre and became its founders.”
“Canada was a significant place of refuge for those fleeing the Lebanese Civil War. Thousands of Lebanese Muslims were resettled in Canada. (Photo: lowering of the flag ceremony, Oct 1978, marking the withdrawal of the Canadian contingent from UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Credit: rcsigs.ca)”
“The first Madrassah (Islamic school), Al Rashid Islamic Institute, was opened in Cornwall, Ontario. (photo credit: Al Rashid Institute)”
“Muslims from Somalia arrived in the wake of the Somali Civil War along with Bosnian Muslims fleeing the breakup of former Yugoslavia”
“This era saw an immigration boom to Canada from majority Muslim nations, which prompted the establishment of more Muslim associations and groups to support the newly settled members of society.”
“The first mosque in the Canadian Arctic, The Midnight Sun Mosque , officially opened in the Inuvik, Northwest Territories. (Photo credit: Town of Inuvik)”
“For over 160 years, Muslims have been calling Canada their home and have dedicated their ambitions and lives to the land and its peoples. The communities currently consist of more than 60 ethno-cultural groups with various Islamic denominations, all of which are represented by organizations or community associations. Muslims continue to make contributions to Canadian society, while also embracing their faiths and multicultural backgrounds that enrich Canadian livelihoods.
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Today
Sources.
- Munir, H. (2015). An Overview of the History of Islam in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.ihistory.co/the-history-of-islam-in-canada-2/
- Hamdani, D. H. (1984). Muslims in the Canadian Mosaic, Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs. Journal, 5:1, 7-16, DOI: 10.1080/02666958408715874
- Erin Geneva MacDonald. (2015). Muslims in Canada: Collective Identities, Attitudes of Otherment and Canadian Muslim Perspectives on Radicalism. Islamophobia Studies Journal, 3(1), 44-61. doi:10.13169/islastudj.3.1.0044
- Elghawaby, A. & Munir, H. (2017). History of Muslims in Canada Reminds Us All of Who We Are. Retrieved from: https://www.nccm.ca/history-of-muslims-in-canada-reminds-us-all-of-who-we-are/
- Haddad, Y. Y., & Quadri, J. (2011). Islam. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/islam
- The Hamilton Spectator. (2018). The long and forgotten history of Muslims in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2018/10/08/the-long-and-forgotten-history-of-muslims-in-canada.html