Introduction
In early 2014, several foundations and community partners approached the Environics Institute to explore the possibility of conducting a national survey of Muslims living in Canada. The Inspirit Foundation was interested in the prospect of participating in a collaborative research process, which would include leaders from Muslim-led organizations, scholars, journalists, and other supporters working towards creating a more inclusive society. We felt hopeful that by joining a wide range of stakeholders, we would be able to avoid harmful stereotypes while executing a comprehensive evidencebased process taking into account the full spectrum of Muslims’ experiences. Over the past two years, we have collaborated closely with the Environics Institute and our valued partners (The Tessellate Institute, the Olive Tree Foundation, Think for Actions, and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation) to develop and conduct The Survey of Muslims in Canada 2016. This brief summary should be read as a companion to the main survey report. It includes findings from the main survey, as well as information from an additional survey that the Inspirit Foundation commissioned independentlyIn this supplementary survey we asked 300 Muslims aged 18 to 34, to discuss their experiences in Canada. The study’s findings tell a complicated story — one that is, at times, almost contradictory. Muslim youth report higher levels of discrimination than their elders experience, yet they continue to contribute to Canadian society through exemplary rates of volunteerism. They express pride in their Canadian identity and at the same time feel as if they are kept at an arm’s length by members of the wider community. What is clear about this research is that although there is a significant divide between young Muslims and other Canadians, the vast majority are civic-minded members of society. This summary highlights their challenges, their high expectations, and their hopes for a better future
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