How Islamophobia is driving young Canadian Muslims to reclaim their identity

Laya Behbahani, a 31-year-old lecturer at Simon Fraser University, had never questioned her Canadian identity until a recent incident at Vancouver airport made her rethink her place in Canadian society.

Born in Iran, Behbahani moved to Canada at the age of 13. After returning from a trip, she was pulled aside by a border services agent who questioned her about her religion and frequent travels. The agent’s query, “How Canadian do you really feel?” left her reflecting on whether such a question would be asked of someone not wearing a headscarf.

A Survey of Muslim Identity in Canada

A recent survey by the Environics Institute revealed that a majority of young Muslims in Canada feel a stronger connection to their faith than to their national identity. The survey suggested that this may be due to societal pressures on young Muslims to answer for acts of violence committed by extremists in the name of Islam, prompting them to reclaim their Muslim identity.

For respondents who valued both their citizenship and their faith, 61 percent identified being Muslim as the most important part of their identity, compared to just six percent who prioritized being Canadian. Twenty-six percent said both aspects were equally important.

Experiences of Discrimination

Behbahani’s experience of being singled out due to her religion was not unique. About a quarter of young Muslims in Canada, aged 18 to 34, reported facing discrimination based on their religion, while 24 percent experienced it due to their culture or ethnicity. Despite these challenges, more than eight out of 10 Muslims expressed strong pride in being Canadian, with the primary complaint about living in Canada being the harsh winters.

Impact of Historical Events

The survey, a follow-up to one conducted ten years ago, highlighted the lingering effects of the September 11 attacks. Although the immediate aftermath of the attacks has faded, public concerns about the integration of immigrants and the perception of Muslims remain.

Rahamatullah Siddique, a Calgary business consultant, noted that the stigma associated with extremist groups claiming to act in the name of Islam has created significant pressure on young Muslims. This pressure, combined with ongoing scrutiny and discrimination, shapes their experiences and identities in Canada.

Struggles with Identity

For many young Muslims, like Assya Moustaqim-Barrette of Oakville, Ontario, their identity is scrutinized and judged based on the actions of extremists. This has led some to distance themselves from their faith while others strive to embrace it more fully. Katherine Bullock, a lecturer at the University of Toronto, emphasized that many young Muslims feel their Canadian identity is questioned, as if their citizenship is contingent on the government’s approval.

Balancing Identities

Despite the challenges, many young Muslims see no conflict between their Canadian and Muslim identities. Montreal-born Arden Maaliq, for instance, feels that embracing multiculturalism means embracing both aspects of his identity. Similarly, Siddique believes one can be proudly both Canadian and Muslim.

The survey also revealed a generational divide in identity. Older Muslims, many of whom are immigrants, are more likely to identify as Canadian first, likely because of the difficult circumstances they left behind. Younger Muslims, however, are more inclined to prioritize their Muslim identity, reflecting their comfort in being critical of Canadian society and recognizing broader issues like Islamophobia and racism.

The Road Ahead

The survey underscores the need for Canadian society to address how it may be marginalizing and alienating people. Experiences of discrimination and negative perceptions inevitably impact self-identity. Behbahani’s experience has made her more engaged with Canadian laws and policies, inadvertently deepening her connection to Canada.

In conclusion, the survey shows that while young Muslims in Canada are proud of their Canadian identity, their faith remains a core part of who they are. The challenge lies in reconciling these identities in a society that often views them with suspicion. As Behbahani puts it, learning more about themselves and their society has, in many ways, made them more Canadian.

The survey was based on phone interviews with 600 Muslim Canadians and a separate survey of 987 non-Muslim Canadians, conducted between November 2015 and February 2016.