The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shahin Siddiquee, P.Eng

Thirteen years before the formation of Canadian Confederation, in 1854 the first Muslim child James Love was born to Scottish parents Agnes and James Love in Ontario. He was named after his father. The youngest son, Alexander, of the Love couple was born in 1868 (one year after the formation of Canadian Confederation). Another Muslim couple John and Martha Simon, who were known in government documents as 'Mahometans', settled permanently in Ontario after migrating from the USA in 1871. Coincidently this couple was also of West European origin like that of the Love couple, John was English whereas Martha was French.

Among the first Muslim immigrants, the story of teenager Ali Abouchadi is noted in the history of Canada. Popularly known as Alexander Hamilton, this Lebanese youth walked on foot from Lala to Beirut, a distance about 50 km, and then boarded a boat to Montreal in the first part of nineteenth century in search of gold. Though his luck did not favor him, having got no goldmine, he opened a new era of successful trade and commerce. Following his footstep, during the first decade of the same century a number of construction workers began to settle in Ontario and Quebec, and later on in Alberta and Saskatchewan and thus a Muslim population began to grow.

A new era of Muslim history in Canada began with the immigration of skilled professionals such as teachers, technocrats, businessmen and people with technical education. Consequently, Muslims proved themselves to be essential human resources for Canadian society by playing significant role in mainstream Canadian economy. McGill University opened the Department of Islamic Studies in 1952. A decade later the University of Toronto adopted a new strategy of appointing Muslims scholars from different countries in various departments to attract foreign Muslims students.

Though Muslims had to endure hard struggle to cope with the new environment, they never neglected the effort to maintain their Islamic Roots. The Al-Rashid Mosque of Edmonton is the fine example of that effort. This is the first masjid (mosque) in North America, which was established in December 12, 1938. The then Mayor of the City along with the translator of the Holy Qur'an Allama Yusuf Ali's rare presence in the inaugural ceremony will remain immortal in the history throughout the ages to come. The Masjid, with a slight change in its appearance, is now used as a museum of Islamic art. Over one and a half century old and rapidly increasing, this Muslim community has turned into a skilled, educated and important part of Canadian society. Although Muslims make up less than two percent of Canada's Population, the community has made enviable progress in terms of acceptability and importance than many other minorities. Today the numbers of masjids are reaching to a thousand with which more than sixty percent of the community members maintain regular or occasional contact.

Muslims are not lagging behind in the mainstream political life of Canada as well. A good number of MPs and councilors are elected in every national poll. Even non-Muslims also voluntarily come forward to talk on Muslims' behalf. Though the presence of the Muslims is not noticeable the media (especially in TV channels), they are not absent altogether. "The Little Mosque on the Prairie", the comedy series that debuted in February 2007 and written by 39 years old film producer Zarqa Nawaz became the most popular show of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

More than one Friday Congregation is held in nearly all masjids in Canada. Yet they are filled with Muslims of all ages, and color and gender. Though Friday is not a weekly holiday, they manage to get time off from their work and attend the congregation. It shows that the Muslims belong to a community with unique characteristics of fraternity and social cohesion.

In most mosques, the sermon (Khutba) is delivered in English with modern styles. Progressive minded Scholars, well versed in Islamic and secular knowledge, deliver the sermons on various contemporary issues that make them unavoidable to Muslims. The experts of the Islamic world living in different countries especially in the Middle East, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India deliver the sermons by turns. The African-American reverts are not lagging behind in this regard. Their rare presence and extraordinary styles usually attracts attention. The sermon here does not reflect the wishes of the kings or dictators, like those of the Middle East. Unlike the subcontinent, khutbas in Canada are not delivered from the book called '"Khutbah of Twelve Months", which are boring, irrelevant and incomprehensible. There is no restriction for the females in praying in the mosques in Canada. On the contrary, Bangladeshi immigrant women educated in modern education finds new touch of Islam. Moreover, the interesting and attractive programs arranged for the females and children turn the mosques essential for them. So they along with their families do not like to miss the different taste of the Friday prayers. Islamic Organizations like ICNA, and ISNA among greater Canadian population and MCC (Muslim Circle of Canada) among Bangladeshi immigrants, organize regular and easily comprehensible Islamic programs that are making Islamic teachings ever attractive to the community.

Children born in this country has no hesitation in living in this country although the immigrant parents do. They have fully adopted the North American Culture especially that of the "independent thinking and action" which is generally subdued by force in their immigrant parents' country of origin. They seek realistic answers to all of their questions.

As a result parents need to do their homework before giving religious advice to their children, because they want to know the reference of their words.

They seldom hesitate to make derogatory comments in their parents face if they cannot get a satisfactory answer. That is why; some scholars have named it 'Islam Canada' that does not accommodate illogical and fanatical insertions, where there are logical and rational answers to every 'why'. Here, parents' advice their children after being well aware of the facts of the matter concerned. For this reason, they try their very best to rectify the bad habits that they have practiced for years. It is quite relevant to cite an example of a Pakistani gentleman who resided in a colony of the High Court in Dhaka before the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971. I believe, after meeting me he started to recall the memories of old days when he tasted Hilsha (a kind of fish) and enjoyed Sampanwala (a Bengali folk song). There was a time when this "fifty something" man would always talk about movies and hum movie song. However today he has totally forgotten how to operate his Music and video player. a Now he fully forgot the process how to operate his tape recorder. He along with his two sons and one daughter goes to the Mississauga 'Jame Mosque' regularly. I was amazed to listen to the story of his continuous struggle to raise his children as good Muslims and good human beings.

[The writer is a professional engineer working in an engineering company in Canada. He can be reached at shahin72@gmail.com]