In the Name of God, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SURVEY: MORE THAN HALF OF CANADIAN MUSLIMS SUFFERED POST-9/11 BIAS
Similar number also experienced various acts of kindness

(Ottawa, Canada – 9/5/02) - According to results of a survey released
today by a national Islamic anti-discrimination and advocacy group, a
majority (60 percent) of Canadian Muslims say they experienced bias or
discrimination since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  A similar number (61
percent) also experienced kindness or support from friends or
colleagues of other faiths.

The survey, published by the Council on American-Islamic Relations
CANADA (CAIR-CAN), polled 296 Muslims from across Canada and is
intended to provide a window into the lives of Canadian Muslim during
the last year.

Surveys were e-mailed to Muslim individuals and organizations
nationwide and were made available at local events, conferences and
lectures.

Other survey results include the following:

* A large number of respondents (82 percent) said they knew of a
fellow Muslim who experienced discrimination.

* 33 percent of respondents said that their lives changed for the
worse, 39 percent said they experienced no change, and 22 percent said
their lives changed for the better.

* Those who indicated that their lives changed for the better cited
becoming more committed Muslims, being presented with opportunities to
remedy stereotypes about Islam and becoming more involved in community
affairs.

* Those who indicated that their lives changed for the worse felt
disliked by fellow Canadians, were subjected to rude and hostile
behaviour, faced emotional distress, and were concerned about the
safety of themselves and their families.

* The most frequent forms of bias were verbal abuse, religious or
ethnic profiling, and workplace discrimination.

* 56 percent of respondents said that the media have grown more biased
against Islam and Muslims while 13 percent said that coverage
improved.

* Respondents felt that the most biased outlets were those owned by
Canwest: the National Post, Global and the Ottawa Citizen.

* CBC, the Toronto Star, and the Globe and Mail were named as media
outlets worthy of praise for their coverage.

* 24 percent rated Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s interaction with the
Muslim community as poor, and a further 45% said he was below average.

* Respondents criticized the Prime Minister for his indifference to
the Muslim community and his lack of clear action against the wave of
anti-Muslim hate.  He was praised for immediately condemning acts of
terrorism.

Half of the respondents hailed from Ontario (which is home to more
than half of Canada’s Muslims) with significant representation from
Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta.  Respondents from other provinces
included Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and P.E.I.

There are an estimated 600 000 Muslims in Canada and some 1.2 billion
worldwide.

                           - END –

CONTACT: Naeem Saloojee at 613-798-0003; E-mail: Canada@cair-net.org

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