Pakistani Muslims

Quick Facts

Place of Origin: Pakistan is located in South Asia and shares an eastern border with India and a north-eastern border with China. Iran makes up the country's south-west border, and Afghanistan runs along its western and northern edge.
Religion: About 96% of Pakistani Muslims follow Islamic traditions, and most of them belong to the Sunni branch of Islam.
Population: 216.6 million
The meaning of the Pakistan flag: the crescent and the star are Muslim symbols which are represented on the flag. The color green is the color affiliated with their main religion of Islam. The white field represents religious & ethnic minorities (especially Christian) found in Pakistan (a good website that explains this is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Pakistan).
Status in GTA: There are at least 5 existing Pakistani-background churches in GTA (in Brampton, Etobicoke, & Mississauga). There are few known Pakistani Muslim-background followers of Jesus in the GTA.

When did Pakistani Muslims first come to Canada?

Pakistani Muslims began migrating to Canada in small numbers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Many of them were professionals, students, and economic migrants from middle-class backgrounds. In 1976, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau revised the Immigration Act, which caused an increase in Pakistani Muslim immigration to Canada.

Where do Pakistani Muslims predominantly gather in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)?

A number of Pakistani Muslims live in East York (Thorncliffe Park), Brampton, Rexdale, Milton, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Markham, Mississauga.
Population estimate in the GTA: 128,845+

What are Pakistani Muslims' lives like?

Many Pakistani Muslims are wealthy and are in the field jobs of doctors, engineers and lawyers.
Pakistani Muslims are very proud of their culture and historical background. When they have conversations with individuals, they find ways to include their cultural and historical background.
Many Pakistani Muslims in Canada get the impression that other individuals assume they are part of ISIS because of the way they dress
Family bonds are very important to them.
One of the ways they connect with each other is through sports, mainly cricket.

What do Pakistani Muslims believe?

Pakistani Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and that the Prophet Mohammed was the final messenger from Allah.
The Quran, which means “reciting”, plays a pivotal role in their lives and social organisations. It is encouraged that they read the Quran daily and pray five times a day.
There are three major Pakistani Muslim groups in Islam: Sunnis, Shia, and Ahmadiyya.
On religious holidays and occasions Pakistani Muslims make trips to the nearest mosque.
They typically worship at mosques alongside other Muslims.