Winnipeg Muslim Leader Shares The Experiences of The Muslim Community Living in Canada

Despite all of Canada's rights and liberties, Muslims still face challenges in Winnipeg society. For women, wearing the hijab (headscarf) can pose difficulties and for newcomers culture shock can make integration into Canadian society difficult, as examples

Sheikh Ismael Mukhtar, a leader in Manitoba's Muslim community, spoke about these challenges in a conversation with Zahra Palani and Yahiya Zalam. He also spoke about the loss of young adults from the Muslim community and the need for them to be made to feel more at home at the Mosque and in general, and to have ways to participate.

"We live in a free country, and we should be appealing to young people to become involved in our community because we are losing them gradually as they reach the age of 18 and higher. We will need them in the future to lead the community. The most significant reason for their distance is that they feel that they need that space in which they move away from any commitment. So, they can get rid of any social pressures and feel that they belong to the wide Canadian culture, not only to a specific community." 

He also speaks about the confusion between Islam as a religion and the culture that it may be wrapped up in. For example, he explains, that women at the time of Mohammed were very involved in the mosque and were expected to speak out, which is not the case in all Islamic communities today.

Among the other important topics, Mukhtar talked about his book Manitoba Muslims A History of Resilience and Growth. The history of Muslims in this province is long and especially important to the next generation. The book covers the challenges and solutions that help Canadian Muslims understand Canadian culture and help newcomers to integrate and settle. The book also contributes to preserving the history of Muslims in Manitoba because most of the events, if not documented, will be forgotten and will not be recognized by future generations. 

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