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Proud Canadian Muslims Face Discrimination: Survey

CALGARY – A new survey tackling Muslims integration in Canada has found that the majority of the religious community say they are proud Canadians, though complaining from discrimination.

“We measured integration on voting on the federal level, at the provincial level, municipal level, volunteering in organizations, donating money, food, clothing, and we figured out Muslims are well integrated into the community,” Dr. Mukarram Zaidi, Think for Actions, told CTV News Calgary on Monday, March 13.

The survey, released by Think for Actions group, says that 85 per cent of Canadian Muslims said they have maintained their religious practices while adopting Canadian customs.

Over half of the surveyed said they have personally experienced discrimination, such as anti-Muslim graffiti on LRT stations, leaflets posted at universities and demonstrations opposing a motion in Parliament condemning Islamophobia.

“Believe as a woman and a Canadian, that we need to stand up for our country, and the thought of bringing Shari`ah law into Canada is terrifying,” said Laurie Donovan at a protest in Regina.

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Think for Actions believes the way to counter hate is with open discussion.

“I feel those notions are all of a sudden dispelled and you can have a great two-way conversation and I think the Muslim community needs to open its doors and we are starting to see that,” said Ayesha Imran, Think for Actions.

The online survey done for ‘Think for Actions’ was conducted between November 2015 and March 2016. 564 Muslim Canadians responded, with 97 per cent from Calgary.

More than five per cent of Calgarians are Muslims.