-
First Pakistanis to come to Canada
The first members of the Pakistani cultural group to arrive in Canada was roughly in 1905. These immigrants were among the pioneers who migrated from British India to British Columbia. A large number of this group were only staying temporarily because they either returned to Pakistan in 1947 or moved to the US. -
Period: to
My Place in Canadian History
-
Discrimination and Limitations
Europeans viewed Asian immigrants as a threat and the South Asian immigrants in Canada began to face discrimination. Soon after, the government in British Columbia enacted laws that limited the rights & priviledges of the South Asian immigrants. These prevented South Asians from voting and denied them access to hold public sector jobs and other professions. -
First Community Formation
By the end of 1908, there were 5209 South Asians living in Canada. -
Religion and Cultural Acceptance
Canadians began to accept the religious values of the Muslims immigrants. The first Canadian mosque was constructed in Edmonton in 1938. At the time, there were approximately 700 Eurpean Muslims in the country. -
The Ban of South Asian Immigrants into Canada
Canada banned entrance of South Asian immigrants that remained in place until World War II. -
Pakistan Gained Independance
Pakistan was a part of the British Indian colony. My grandfather, his parents and his grandparents were among the large number of muslims in India. Then India decided to seperate the muslims from the non muslims - which is when Pakistan was founded. -
Allowance of Pakistani Re-entrance
Canada allowed South Asian immigrants to re-enter in 1949. Pakistanis then began migrating in small numbers, into Canada from the late 1950s and early 1960s. -
Post World War II
There was a small increase in the Muslim population and in the late 1960s, early 1970s, Muslims began to arrive in significant numbers. -
My Family in the US
My sister and I were born in Chicago, as my parents lived in the US prior to moving to Canada. -
My Family in Canada
From Chicago, we moved to Ontario for my dad to open another travel agency office. My little sister was also born in Canada. My family has lived in Oakville for 13 years.
