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“Unity in Diversity?”: Examining Winnipeg and Mississauga’S Second-Generation Pakistani-Canadians’ Perceptions and Experiences of Radicalization

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“Unity in Diversity?”: Examining Winnipeg and Mississauga’S Second-Generation Pakistani-Canadians’ Perceptions and Experiences of Radicalization “Unity in Diversity?”: Examining Winnipeg and Mississauga’s Second-Generation Pakistani-Canadians’ Perceptions and Experiences of Radicalization By Saad Ahmad Khan A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. Copyright © 2019 Saad Ahmad Khan Table of Contents Description Pages Cases Cited v Acknowledgments vi-vii Abstract ix-x 1. Introduction: The Spectre of Radicalization 1-6 1.1- Introduction 1-3 1.2- Overview of the Study 4-6 1.3- Conclusions 6 2. The Context 7-17 2.1- Introduction 7-8 2.2- History Revisited 9-14 2.3-Homegrown Terrorism in the US & Western Europe 14-16 Conclusions 16-17 3. Literature Review 19-51 3.1-Introduction 19-21 3.2- Identity 21-33 3.2.1. What Makes Them Tick? 22-24 3.2.2. Chosen Glories and Chosen Traumas 24-27 3.2.3. Social Identity Approach 27-28 3.2.4. White Privilege 28-31 3.2.5. Psychological Self-Deprivation 31-33 3.3- Radicalization 33-41 3.3.1. Structural Violence 37-38 3.3.2. Basic Human Needs Theories 38-39 3.3.3. Islam’s “Hells Angels?” 39-41 3.4- The Self-Anchoring Cantril Model: Hopes and Dreams and Fears 41-51 and Worries 3.4.1. Hopes and Dreams: Individual’s Imagining the Future 43-47 3.4.1.1.Conflict Transformation and the Future 44-45 3.4.1.2.Hope Lies Eternal 46-47 3.4.2. Fears for the Future 47-49 3.4.3. Deconstructing the Levels of Hopes and Fear 49-51 3.5- Conclusions 51 ii 4. Methodology 53-65 4.1. Introduction 53 4.2. Research Location 53-54 4.3. Rationale for Choosing a Qualitative Design 54-57 4.3.1. Identity Matters 54-56 4.3.2. Semi-Structured Interviews 56-57 4.4. Role of the Researcher 58-59 4.5. Data Gathering Techniques 59-61 4.6. Data Analysis 61 4.7. Securing the Data 61 4.8. The Participants 62-63 4.9. Significance of the Study 63-64 4.10. Conclusions 64-65 5. Identity: What’s in A Race? 67-119 5.1. Introduction 67-68 5.2. Childhood Experiences 68-75 5.3. What’s in a Word? 75-78 5.4. Pakistani-Canadian: “The Great Chasm” 78-89 5.5. White Privilege: What’s in a Color? 89-110 5.6. Key Findings 110-118 5.7. Conclusions 118-119 6 Radicalization 121-179 6.1. Introduction 121-122 6.2. The Triggers 123-162 6.2.1. Mental Health Issues 123-125 6.2.2. Sense of Belonging (or lack thereof) 126-142 6.2.3. “Fake news” and its Role 142-146 6.2.4. The Failure of the Muslim Community 146-154 6.2.5. Enemy from the “Outside” 154-162 6.3. The “Great Divide: 1st and 2nd Generation Pakistani-Canadians” 162-168 6.4. Key Findings 168-177 6.5. Conclusions 177-179 7. Towards That Light: Hopes and Fears 180-200 7.1. Introduction 180-181 7.2. Best Hopes and Dreams for the Future 181-186 7.3. Worst Fears and Worries for the Future 186-189 7.4. Key Findings 189-198 7.5. Conclusions 198-200 8. The Way Forward: Conclusions and Recommendations 201-245 8.1. Introduction 201 iii 8.2. The Levels 202-208 8.2.1. Individual Level 202-203 8.2.2. Family Level 203-205 8.2.3. Societal/Communal Level 205-208 8.2.3.1.Muslim Community 205-206 8.2.3.2.Society at Large 206-208 8.3. The State 208-218 8.3.1. Public Policy & The Homegrowns 209-212 8.3.2. The 2013 Report 212-213 8.3.2.1. The Strategy 213-218 8.3.3. The 2016 Report 219-224 8.3.3.1. Extent of the Threat 221 8.3.3.2. Understanding the Model 221-222 8.3.3.3. Response to Threats 222-224 8.3.4. Recent Policy Documents 225-228 8.3.5. Contest in the U.K. 228-232 8.3.5.1. Prevent 229-230 8.3.5.2. Causes of Radicalization 230-231 8.3.5.3. The Way Forward 231-232 8.4. Other Examples 232-233 8.5. Critical Analysis and Recommendations 233-239 8.6. The Compulsive Choice: A New Theory of Radicalization 249-241 8.7. Future Research 242-243 8.7. Final Remarks 243-245 Works Cited 246-267 Appendix 1: Interview Guide 268 iv Cases Cited Canada (Citizenship and Immigration) v Ishaq, 2015 FCA 194 Canada v. Singh; Re Munshi Singh. [1914] BCJ No 116 (CA) Matter of Acosta. 19 I&N Dec. 211, 233 (BIA 1985). Multani v Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, [2006] 1 S.C.R. 256, Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1, 551 U.S. 701. Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 R v. Keegstra (1990, 3 SCR 697) R v. NS (2012, 3 S.C.R. 726 R v. Taylor (1990, 3 SCR 892) Sasketchwan v Whatcott (2013 1 S.C.R. 467)] v Acknowledgments While much is taken during one’s PhD journey, much abides, primarily because of the support, love and affection a PhD student finds amongst his family and friends. This PhD student’s case was no different. I owe a debt of gratitude to my colleagues at Global College. Thank you for offering me the opportunity to be a part of the Global College community for many years. The meshing of my own graduate education while being an educator has shaped and reshaped my ideas and also reminded me that one of the greatest joys in life is to impart the knowledge one received and thus be a part of the cycle of knowledge I would like to thank my external examiner Dr. Earl Conteh-Morgan for his extremely thoughtful insights about my dissertation and the support and appreciation he showed for my work. It made the exercise all the more pleasurable. Dr. Jim Fergusson’s questioning both during my candidacy defense as well as during my final oral examination reminded me yet again as to why I chose the graduate path. His incisive questions, his critiques and his advice have shaped this dissertation into its present form. My friends Audrey, Fatima, Katharina, Kristian, Noreen, Rashid, Saad and Zareen through their “tough” love and support ensured that I trudged along the PhD path. Words cannot adequately express the overwhelming sense of gratitude I have that all of you were there for me through thick and thin. My glory most begins and ends because I have friends like you. Dr. Jessica Senehi’s wisdom, knowledge and care has been pivotal to me during the many years of graduate school I have had at the Mauro Institute. Jess is not only a deep well of scholastic vi knowledge, she is one of the kindest and wisest persons I know and without her wisdom and support this PhD would not have been possible. Thank you with all my heart Dr. Senehi. Dr. Sean Byrne, academic and scholar par excellence, mentor beyond mentors, has tolerated me for 7 years. Over the years, Sean’s guidance, his patience, his support, his wisdom and so much more which I can never frame in words have been the bedrock on which my time at the Mauro Institute stands. When the chips were down (as they often are during grad school), Sean ensured that I never lost sight of the bigger picture i.e., life and continued to foster belief in me. Seven years ago when I received an acceptance from the Mauro Institute, I never imagined that I would one day think of Sean as a big brother (not in the Orwellian sense, of course), yet here we are. I got not only the best advisor I could hope for, I also found a friend and a brother for a lifetime. Abbu, Ammi, Adnan and Sadaf, you have literally seen me grow these past three (almost four) decades. When I stumbled you helped me get up, when I pursued my dreams you encouraged me, when I lost a dream, you gave me your shoulders to weep upon. Erma Bombeck may have considered family to be a tie which binds and gags- the Khan family is one which binds in the most loving of ways possible. I owe my life and this PhD to you. Adnan Khan, you greeted this world 5 years ago and it has been a sheer joy to see you become a precocious and fun little human. Thankfully, you do not take after me when it comes to many things. Someday when you are old enough to read these words, I hope you know that every time you smile or giggle or say something at all, my universe lights up and suddenly becomes a much better, much loveable place. Keep on shining, keep on smiling Adnan, you make the world a much better place. vii viii ABSTRACT Canada is a country where people from across the globe have found a place to call home. Immigrants have added to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity and cross-community ties in this country and have raised families here to give their children a secure future. Similar to other communities, immigrants from Pakistan have raised their children in Canada so that they can excel in a society which offers equal opportunities to all.
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