1 Grassroots Canadian Muslim Identity in the Prairie City of Winnipeg: A Case Study of 2nd and 1.5 Generation Canadian Muslims Qamer Hameed 2015 Supervisors Dr. Lori Beaman & Dr. Peter Beyer Faculty of Arts Department of Classics and Religious Studies University Of Ottawa A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts © Qamer Hameed, Ottawa, Canada, 2015 ii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................ vii Chapter 1: Introduction Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 Researcher Positioning ................................................................................................................. 6 Historical Context ......................................................................................................................... 9 Winnipeg, Manitoba ................................................................................................................... 16 Muslims in Winnipeg, Manitoba ............................................................................................... 17 Organization and Institutionalization of Muslims in Manitoba ............................................ 29 The Project ................................................................................................................................. 38 Chapter 2: Literature Review Literature Review ........................................................................................................................... 41 1 Identity ................................................................................................................................. 42 1.1 Identity: A Dynamic Dialogue of Deep Self-Definitions and Social Constructions ...... 42 1.2 Identity: The Social Aspect: Religion, Boundaries and Communities ........................... 44 1.3 Identity: Immigrants and Generations ............................................................................. 46 2 What Constitutes Canadian Identity ................................................................................ 53 2.1 Christian Foundations ......................................................................................................... 53 2.2 Belonging Though Diversity and Multiculturalism ........................................................... 54 2.3 Belonging Through Citizenship .......................................................................................... 55 2.4 Belonging Through Organization ..................................................................................... 56 2.5 ‘Canadian’ ............................................................................................................................ 57 3. Canadian Muslim ................................................................................................................ 58 4. Other-Ness: Muslims as Others ......................................................................................... 59 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................. 62 Chapter 3: Theory and Methodology Theory .......................................................................................................................................... 64 Method and Approach ............................................................................................................... 69 iii Data Collection ............................................................................................................................ 73 Who Are These Winnipeg Muslims? ........................................................................................ 76 Typology ...................................................................................................................................... 77 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................................. 81 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 82 Chapter 4: Data Analysis Unpacking a Series of Important Social Considerations Pertaining to Canadian Muslim Identity ............................................................................................................................................. 85 Expectations or “What a Muslim looks like” ........................................................................... 86 Common (negative) Perceptions: Stereotypes, Discrimination and Islamophobia .............. 88 Social Relationships: Family, Friends and Community .......................................................... 93 Family ..................................................................................................................................... 93 Friendships ............................................................................................................................. 94 Community and Organizations ............................................................................................ 95 Discourse Shaper: The Media .................................................................................................... 96 Gender ....................................................................................................................................... 107 The Urban Space: Winnipeg ................................................................................................... 116 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 127 Chapter 5: Data Analysis Strategies in Navigating Perceptions and Expectations ........................................................ 130 Desensitization .......................................................................................................................... 130 Humour ..................................................................................................................................... 133 Being ‘Canadian’ ...................................................................................................................... 136 Seeking Information for Informed Action: Self-Education and Independent Decision Making ....................................................................................................................................... 141 Being a Representative ............................................................................................................. 144 Identities of Resistance and Reactive Constructions ............................................................. 149 Social Organization .................................................................................................................. 152 Social Movement ....................................................................................................................... 162 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 164 iv Chapter 6: Data Analysis Grassroots Canadian Muslim Identity in Winnipeg ............................................................. 169 Chapter 7: Conclusion Summary of Research Findings, Scope and Limitations ...................................................... 181 Concluding Remarks and Looking Forward ......................................................................... 195 References.......................................................................................................................................... 199 Appendices Appendix A: Consent Form ..................................................................................................... 222 v Tables and Figures Table 1: Muslim Population of Canada, 1871-2011 14 Figure 1: Timeline for Muslims in Canada 15 Table 2: Muslim Population of Manitoba, 1981-2011 25 Table 3: Muslim Population of Winnipeg in 1981 25 Muslim Population of Winnipeg and Manitoba in Table 4: 2001 25 Timeline of Significant Events and Developments for Figure 2: Muslims in Winnipeg 26 Organizational Structure of the Winnipeg-Manitoba Figure 3: Muslim Community 28 vi Abstract What are grassroots “Canadian Muslims” and why not use the descriptor “Muslims in Canada”? This thesis examines the novel concept of locale specific grassroots Canadian Muslim identity of second and 1.5 generation Muslims in the prairie city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The project focuses on a generation of Muslims that are settled, embedded, and active in a medium sized Canadian metropolis. Locale plays a powerful part in the way people navigate identities, form attachments, find belonging, and negotiate communities and society. In order to explore this unique identity a case study was conducted in Winnipeg. Interviews with 1.5 and second generation Muslims explored the experience of grassroots Canadian Muslim identity. The project does not focus on religious doxy or praxis but rather tries to understand a lived Canadian Muslim identity by exploring discourse and space as well as strategies,