CBC Forum: Islamophobia and young Canadian Muslims
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Hello folks and welcome to today's CBC Forum. Today, we are discussing a new study released about Muslim Canadians.It finds that an overwhelming majority of Muslim Canadians have a strong attachment to their country and feel that Canada is heading in the right direction and it talks about Islamophobia, among other things. You can read about the study's findings below.
Muslim Canadians increasingly proud of and attached to Canada, survey suggestsAn overwhelming majority of Muslim Canadians have a strong attachment to their country and feel that Canada is heading in the right direction, according to a new survey. -
Bonjour/Good Morning, peace and blessings to all! -
It's interesting to see majority of Muslims leaning left in elections while themselves having conservative values (e.g. majority have ambiguous feelings about homosexuality). I can't speak for younger, canadian-born muslims but for immigrants voting in election is a 'community' decision rather than an individual one. -
I don't think the objections to Islam are religious; we aren't complaining about the theology, prayer, or worship. It is the political and social elements that cause concern. This is an important point. -
I'm fairly surprised to see that young Canadian Muslims are increasingly more devout. I thought it would be the opposite I was born and raised in Canada as a Muslim, but I completely let go of religion in my late teens (now 25 y/o) and a few of my friends have done the same. This was undoubtedly a result of being exposed to multiculturalism and different faiths.I know many young people with Muslim backgrounds that drink alcohol, have premarital sex,eat non-halal food, and the list goes on. -
There is a huge component of the muslim community that feels utterly silenced and unable to live their lives according to how they wish to live. Has this study attempted at all to understand what it means to be ex-muslim in canada? -
I'm curious as to why the survey completely ignored Atlantic Canada?
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This is supposed to be an open and tolerant society, correct? We are supposed to treat everyone equally and never discriminate or criticize or anything like that. At the core, everyone MUST be treated 100% equal. So how can we reconcile the fact that Muslims simply do not treat women equal. The mosques I have seen, make women enter through a separate door, and sit hidden behind a curtain. Then they have to leave without being seen. Many men won't shake the hands of a woman and many women are not allowed to shake hands, even in Canada. To me this is not a compatible value system, yet I am constantly told I am the intolerant one when I choose not to associate with people who have radically different values than myself???
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I believe it to be very poor form to carry on research into any person's religion vis a vis their nationality. Where this eventually leads is to validate persecution simply because the person is part of the "other." As an aetheist i believe there is no god. As some commenters have mentioned, religious laws must not supercede the law of the land. In my opinion these religious laws must not even be considered in any form, as this simply re-inforces the concept of the "other" and creates further division. If religious groups only want to marry, associate, mingle, with their own kind, does this not lead to racism, bigotry and oppression? I am pretty sure that history shows this to be true.
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In your study, you claim muslims do not yet support gay rights and that over time they might gradually do so.
How long is over time? 10 years? Do you believe because the intellectual leadership of the community resides in the mosque, and tHe mosque is led by imams trained in a theology exported from pretty backward societies, do you think this has any effect in hindering they adopting LGBT rights? -
If a theology is a belief or an idea then it is troublesome to not be able to be able to criticize those idea without attaching a tag like 'denier' "phobe'. It eliminates the ability to have a rationale discussion about these topics. Interesting survey to look at the full results.
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With the amount of anti-Muslim vitriol flying around Canada and the US these days, is it any wonder young Muslims are feeling left out and becoming more fundamentalist in their views?
I bet if the PM of Canada had started attacking the way Christian women dress and had tried to set up an anti-Christian tip line, lots of people would suddenly start going to church every Sunday and wearing crosses around their necks. -
As a non-Muslim, discussing with friends and listening to their views, I find the major resentment we experience is that Muslim-Canadians seem inclined to duck the question of Islamist terrorism rather than confront it as a malignant blight upon their faith. I can fully understand why Muslims tire of having to defend their faith from our fears, but to say "this has nothing to do with me and my faith" you play into our fears.
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Regardless of Faith, or Lack Of Faith, Or Sexual Orientation. Do we as Canadians believe in the following statement "Have GOOD INTENTIONS, live DEBT FREE, INVEST when you can, support the NEEDY, be HUMBLE, work for something you are PASSIONATE about, don't COMPARE YOUR LIFE TO OTHERS. Eat HEALTHY, Exercise REGULARLY. Read BOOKS, COMMUNICATE CLEARLY, be PATIENT & don't BELITTLE anyone. Follow these rules and you will look at life differently and appreciate it!"
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When one's values are largely at odds with the values of the culture (drinking, premarital sex, women and gay rights) it becomes easier to self isolate. I know these aren't the values of all Muslims, but if many of the more devout. Does it make sense to emigrate from an oppressive regime while wanting to bring oppressive values to the culture offering freedom and sanctuary?
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Considering the general trend in society seems to be a gradual progression towards more liberal behaviour: does the study ask how young muslims feel about their reluctance to participate youth culture like dancing, and going out for drinks?
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Shanifa Nasser, you have a degree in islamic studies. Can you tell us why muslims won't shake the hands of women, or force women to enter a separate door in a mosque? These values seem incredibly incompatible to a more fair society that a lot of us in canada wants.
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Muslims in Canada and other Western countries have unreasonable and sometimes ill-founded biases and prejudices against Western culture and that affect their chances to integrate into the society. They are fixated on making sure women dress modestly, avoiding alcohol (although majority men consume privately) and taking halal food as if these three virtues alone will complete them as a Muslim. Other more important ethics and principles taught by Islam such as honesty, generosity, hard work, kindness and respect for fellow humans are often completely ignored.
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Are there any questions in the survey on whether newspapers should be allowed to print cartoons of Mohamed? Blasphemy seems to be a sharp division between islam and other religions.
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As a non-Muslim, I am very concerned about Islamophobia because not just is it dangerous to Muslims, but also dangerous to everyone. I have not found a way to challenge it, because they cannot be reasoned with, and I have even been threatened with violence. It seems Islamophobia is so mainstream that reasonable people are concerned if a non-Muslim challenges it.
How would be an effective way for non-Muslims to challenge Islamophobia? -
We can have an open forum on discussing Islamophobia and young Canadian Muslims, but we still can't comment on Aboriginal articles, or even talk about Aboriginal issues without being heavily moderated.
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How can a Muslim person honestly say they believe in both the Quran and the Charter of Rights? They are incompatible. This is what worries me.
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I'm muslim and I'm against Homosexuality, is that wrong to say?
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I think it's important not to use words like 'they all' - people who identify with any religion are not homogeneous. Muslims come from different countries, cultures, and language backgrounds. I put it back on people in Canada to look at yourselves and what you believe is 'Canadian' - where does this belief system come from? Christianity? Britain? Has one ever read the Bible? The Qu'ran? I think before pointing fingers at others, it's important to challenge our own assumptions about what it means to be 'Canadian' or even Christian. Does the Bible reflect our Charter of Rights and Freedoms? I for one like the idea of diversity of languages, religions, and cultures.
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Why did we ask this question only of Muslims? Would the reaction to the line of questioning be the same if you asked: "Which do you feel most closely represents you: A) I am a Jewish person B) I am a Canadian
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I think it is important to define homophobic. I think Muslims can absolutely disagree with the LGBT lifestyle while respecting and acknowledging their rights as fellow Canadians. Tolerance doesn't necessitate agreement. Actual respect is far more important. I respect a Muslim's view and faith and practice, I may not agree with it. That doesn't make me an Islamaphobic anymore than my disagreeing with the LGBT lifestyle makes me a homophobic.
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Can we stop using the term "Islamophobia'? An honest and careful critique of Islam shouldn't be labelled with such a loaded term. If I disagree with Islam and it's teachings, why am I automatically labelled with something akin to racist or bigot? All I am doing is critically analyzing an ideology - a set of ideas just like I would with Communism or Christianity.
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Islamophobia: A word, created by fascists, used by cowards to manipulate morons.
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We're going to be wrapping up conversation momentarily. Any final thoughts?
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Islamophobia very accurately describes the irrational fear and hatred of Muslims. It's a great word. Kudos to all those who use it.
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Yeah. In Canada, *everyone* covers their faces in the winter. It's cold out there! Deal with it.
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I think this is a chicken and egg scenario. Are Muslims scrutinized because they don't identify as Canadian, or do they not identify as Canadian because they are scrutinized? I will say the Niqab, and Burka are very un-Canadian in a society that grants the legal right to be topless. They need to reform Islam for the modern age and the split off from the Saudis and the rest of the backwards societies.
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Please learn English. Islam is a religion. Not a race. People who are critical of Islam and Muslims in particular cannot be racist. OK?
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I feel sorry for the majority of Muslims who are just like any other religious or national group and welcomed here but who have a small militant group dragging down their image and creating unease and tension towards all of them.
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I guess my essays describing the child abuse within the Catholic church makes me a 'cathoicphobe'? -
Islam is a religion of many interpretations. Which one is not obvious to the "man in the street". The issue here is the wish to be seen as distinct and apart. To "identify" as a member of a religion above all other concerns. It just as easily applies to Hasidic jews, Sikhs, Muslims in head coverings, and others. It is that desire to be seen as "separate" that should be the issue here.
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Thanks for all of your comments. There were some intriguing questions asked and some insightful comments made. Thank you for keeping the conversation civil.
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A huge thanks to Shanifa for joining us as a guest in the conversation this afternoon. Your insight was much appreciated! Thanks and have a great rest of the afternoon.