Hinduism in Canada
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Hindus in Canada generally come from one of two groups. The first is comprised primarily of Indian immigrants who began arriving in British Columbia about 100 years ago and continue to immigrate today. The other group is made up of Canadian converts to the various sects of Hinduism through the efforts of the Hare Krishna movement, the Gurus during the last 50 years, and other organizations. The second major group of Hindus immigrated from Sri Lanka, goes back to the 1940s, when a few hundred Sri Lankans migrated to Canada. The 1983 communal riots in Sri Lanka precipitated the mass exodus of Tamils and Sinhalese with over 500,000 finding refuge in countries such as Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, France and Switzerland from then Sri Lankans have been immigrating to Canada in particular around Toronto and Greater Toronto Area. On the one hand, a war is being waged for a separate Tamil homeland within the small island currently named Sri Lanka. On the other hand, efforts are being made throughout the world to make Sri Lankan culture better known to, and understood by, non-Tamil peoples, toward the end of establishing cross-cultural and cross-national alliances.
According to the 2001 Census of Canada, there were 297,200 practitioners of Hinduism.[1] However, the non-profit organization Association for Canadian Studies estimates the Hindu population grew to 372,500 by 2006, or just under 1.2% of the population of Canada.[2]. The vast majority of Hindus reside in Ontario (primarily in Toronto, Scarborough, Brampton, Hamilton, Windsor & Ottawa), Quebec (primarily around the Montreal area) & British Columbia, (primarily around the Vancouver area). Have significant populations.[1].
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[edit] Early Hindus
Early South Asian immigrants to Canada were mainly Punjabi Sikh individuals. However, within this group of early pioneers there were also a few male Hindus. All South Asian migrants, regardless of religion, were referred to as ‘'Hindoos’’ by the predominantly white British Columbians. These early Hindus maintained their religious traditions in mostly hostile environment which viewed the so-called colored immigrants as a threat to the British culture and way of life of the time. These male pioneers could not marry brides from India up until the 1930s, and did not have the right to vote in Federal elections until 1947. Religious life was centered around homes and Bhajans organized by community members.
[edit] Hindu converts
Since 1960s many westerners attracted by the world view presented in Asian religious systems including Hinduism have converted to Hinduism. Canada was no exception. Many native born Canadians of various ethnicities have converted during the last 50 years through the actions of ISKCON, Arya Samaj and other missionary organizations as well as due to the visits and guidance of Indian Gurus such as Guru Maharaj, Sai Baba, the controversial Rajneesh and others .
[edit] Recent immigrant Hindus
Due to the liberalization of Canadian immigration policies many Hindus from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Guyana and Eastern African nations such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania along with South Africa have arrived in the metropolises of Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
[edit] Temple societies
See also: Hindu Temples in Canada
These communities have formed over 1000 temple societies across the country that essentially functions community organizations. Some of these associations also have established private schools in Tamil to compete with non-religious and Catholic school boards that most Hindu students go to.
[edit] Organizations
There are several organizations representing the Hindu community including the Hindu Sabha, a religious society linked to temples and the World Maha Hindu Organization, a cultural organization. Indian Hindus also participate in a number of non-sectarian organizations and networks representing the interests of the Indo-Canadian community across religious lines. The Hindu Conference of Canada is a newer organization which focuses on political action - it is supportive of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Bharatiya Janata Party in India[3][4] and critical of the Congress Party.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- The Hindus of Canada by INDERLEKH PUBLICATIONS
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Selected Religions, for Canada, Provinces and Territories - 20% Sample Data. Religions in Canada: Highlight Tables, 2001 Census. Statistics Canada (2004). Retrieved on May 23, 2006.
- ^ http://www.acs-aec.ca/Polls/30-03-2005.pdf
- ^ http://www.hccanada.com/HCCEndorsement.pdf
- ^ Banerjee, Ron, "India's star state: Gujarat got to be India's leading industrial state through small government and corruption-free policies", National Post, July 12, 2005
- ^ HCC, Open Letter to the Hindus of Canada, Weekly Voice, December 3, 2004
[edit] External links
Hindu Groups in Canada
