This paper examines the past and present situation of
Muslim immigrants in Canada, with special emphasis on the
Arab Muslims in British Columbia and Vancouver.
The first section deals with Canadian immigration history
until the present. Canada's immigration policies, especially
exclusionist immigration policies and the racially unbiased
policy known as the "point system", are discussed.
The second section traces Muslim and Arab immigration to
Canada and British Columbia, leading to the present. Ismaili
and Iranian communities are examined, as are a few groups of
Arab origin.
The third and fourth sections discuss the situation of the
Muslim and Arab communities in Canada today. The development
of the Muslim communities, and the problem of ethnic
identities are discussed. This provide an initial insight into the
ethnic and religious biases that existed in Canada in the past
and continue to the present. Finally, the problems of
adjustment facing Arab Muslims to non-Islamic environment are
described, with an observation of Canadian-born generations,
who will play a significant role for the survival of Muslim
community in the Canada of tomorrow.