I gave up a comfortable life to come to Canada – and my immigrant story is more common than you may think
2024/12/09 2 Comments
I often think it is hardest for those like Syed who were professionals living in Gulf countries or equivalent and whose experience and knowledge is under recognized along with their position in society, and thus the contrast with expectations and reality are greatest (hopefully, some potential employers will reach out to him):
…After all those struggles over five-plus years, I realized a proper job would be almost impossible to get. I used my remaining savings to buy a few properties to ensure a small but regular rental income – smaller, in fact, than my expenses. But these were my only sources of income, until recently.
And then there are the unique challenges of coming to Canada as a Muslim. I eat only halal foods, for instance, and it is still difficult for me to decipher what is religiously permitted for Muslims and what is not; fortunately, my children are better at figuring this out. The rise of right-wing populism in Canada has also worried me ever since the deadly 2017 shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City. I can vividly recall my apprehension in the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, four months after six worshippers were killed, as I offered my traveeh prayer at my mosque after breaking the day’s fast. I found myself fearing that anyone could start spraying bullets, and that I could easily be one of the victims. The 2021 murder of four members of the Afzaal family in London, Ont., only helped consolidate my feeling that being a minority in Canada could threaten my life.
This is not just my story; I know that other immigrants have experienced similar things. I have seen people go into a shell during these difficult resettlement years. It is never easy to get out of that psychological trauma; it could take even more years. And yet, despite our contributions to society – from bringing our savings to Canada to increasing the labour force and ultimately becoming a taxpayer – some still view us as burdens on society. That hurts!
Being burdens – that is not our story. And I refuse to let that define me.
About Andrew
Multicultural Meanderings 
Subject: Reflection on the Journey of Faith and Comfort in Canada
Dear Andrew
Thank you for sharing your deeply personal and thought-provoking journey in your blog post. I can understand how challenging it must be to adjust to life in Canada, especially when navigating the complexities of faith, culture, and identity in a new environment. However, I couldn’t help but reflect on a few points regarding your decision to move from a more comfortable life to a country where practicing your faith seems to be a significant struggle.
First, if you had a comfortable life, one might wonder why you chose to take the chance of moving to a place where practicing your Islamic faith appears more challenging. Was it the pursuit of better opportunities, or perhaps a desire for more freedom, or something else? Moving to a country where religious and cultural practices are sometimes not as ingrained in the mainstream could, understandably, feel like a major sacrifice. But, if faith is truly your core priority, would it not have been easier to remain in an environment where religious life is more familiar and supported?
Second, you mentioned buying multiple properties in Canada, and this is where I find a significant contrast to the struggles you described. Many people in Canada are struggling to afford even a single property, yet you have been able to purchase multiple ones. While I understand that property ownership comes with its own set of challenges, it seems to me that your financial situation is far better than that of the majority of Canadians. This raises the question: If comfort and security were important to you, could a move to Canada, where the cost of living and financial pressures are a reality for many, be considered the right choice? In many ways, owning property is a significant privilege, and while it doesn’t negate your other struggles, it suggests that your situation may not be as dire as it might seem.
Finally, if practicing your faith is of utmost importance, why leave a place where Islamic practices are easier to follow and more widely accepted? While Canada is diverse and offers many opportunities, it is undeniable that some aspects of religious life here, such as access to halal food, mosques, and community support, prayer in public placescan be more challenging compared to Islamic-majority countries. While I respect the reasons you may have had for moving, it seems that the difficulties you’re facing in trying to balance faith with a new life here could be alleviated by remaining in an environment that already supports those values.
I truly admire your resilience and determination to make a new life in Canada, but I think it’s important to acknowledge the privileges that come with your ability to own property and the resources you’ve been able to build. These points don’t diminish your struggles, but rather serve as a reminder that the challenges many immigrants face are often compounded by their circumstances, and not everyone has the same resources available to them.
I hope this gives you something to reflect on, and I look forward to hearing more about your journey as you continue to navigate life in Canada.
Best regards,
Meandering Reader
Hi Sushi, the article was written by Mr. Syed not me. My take on his article is that given his kids had no permanency or potential in the Gulf, the move was made for them. Not uncommon. I do think that his expectations may have been higher than warranted but his reflections are nevertheless of interest, and likely not completely atypical for persons like him.