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.

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