Indonesian Muslims in Canada: Religion, ethnicity and identity.

Abstract

Indonesian Muslims are a new immigrant group to Canada. Small numbers of Indonesians began immigrating to this country in the second half of the twentieth century. Upon arrival in Canada, Indonesian Muslim immigrants are confronted with new boundaries that challenge existing notions of identity and force them to re-interpret their sense of place in their world. This thesis project explores religion, ethnicity and identity among a group of Indonesians in the Ottawa area. Through the use of historical and sociological methods, this paper examines the negotiation of human, physical, historical and cosmic boundaries as Indonesians adapt their identity to suit the Canadian situation. The Indonesian experience is examined in the context of Canadian history, the history of Muslim communities in Canada, and Indonesian history. Questionnaires were distributed and interviews conducted among members of the Indonesian community in the Ottawa area to investigate attachment to Indonesian heritage, ethnic community attachment, Islamic observance, and the community's relationship with other Canadian Muslims and with Canadian society in general. The experiences of this group provide new insights into inter-ethnic and interreligious relations in Canadian society.