golani
08-12-2004, 12:49 AM
Recovering from jetlag,I decided to write a short thread dedicated to 3 weeks travel in Ontario and Quebec in july 2004,especially about the growing presence of muslims in both provinces
i took off from Charles de Gaule ,a huge airport in the same category as Chicago O'hare or Atlanta
The important presence of islamic veils all around the depature hall confirmed my suspicion of pre islamic status of France
Arrival in Montreal.It is a pleasant city with very friendly people
While strolling downtown in rue st catherine ,i was once more dismayed by the significant number of veiled women in the street
On the other hand,I was pleasantly surprized by the convivial mood among the heterogeneous components of people
Despite being labelled as the second french speaking city in the world, I found Montreal much more english speaking compared to my previous stay,15 years ago
Ottawa ,the federal capital is an interesting place to visit, no veils in sight...
After passing thru Kingston (fort Henri visit is recommended), I spent Shabath in Toronto
Toronto is paradise for jewish community:more than 250 synagogues,nearly each of them proudly displaying the 3 beautiful israeli,canadian an american fags,flying side by side in the wind
It was really a moving vision for me whereas in europe two of these flags would have been torched at once...
Toronto is home for more than 300.000 jewish souls
You find anything you want:complete jewish superstores,bookshops,flea markets
Along Bathrust avenue,billboards announcing jewish daycamps or other events,no veils in sight
The synagogue where I attend Shabbath is on Thornhill,more than 2.000 people take part to various services...
What amazed me the most was the complete visible absence of security while people gladly spoke to each others after the service:this situation is unthinkable in Europe due to well known security concern
Toronto is a huge city, filled with many highlights
During l my stay, I did not notice an important muslim presence
Bottom line: Canada is a great country with very friendly people,muslim presence in Quebec is clearly a problem which will have to be adressed by government:legally speaking,a limitation of muslim immigration is uthinkable,this was confirmed by canadian friends
Ontario situation seems less problematic to me but this impression is very superficial,i know that many Pakis live in that province
i took off from Charles de Gaule ,a huge airport in the same category as Chicago O'hare or Atlanta
The important presence of islamic veils all around the depature hall confirmed my suspicion of pre islamic status of France
Arrival in Montreal.It is a pleasant city with very friendly people
While strolling downtown in rue st catherine ,i was once more dismayed by the significant number of veiled women in the street
On the other hand,I was pleasantly surprized by the convivial mood among the heterogeneous components of people
Despite being labelled as the second french speaking city in the world, I found Montreal much more english speaking compared to my previous stay,15 years ago
Ottawa ,the federal capital is an interesting place to visit, no veils in sight...
After passing thru Kingston (fort Henri visit is recommended), I spent Shabath in Toronto
Toronto is paradise for jewish community:more than 250 synagogues,nearly each of them proudly displaying the 3 beautiful israeli,canadian an american fags,flying side by side in the wind
It was really a moving vision for me whereas in europe two of these flags would have been torched at once...
Toronto is home for more than 300.000 jewish souls
You find anything you want:complete jewish superstores,bookshops,flea markets
Along Bathrust avenue,billboards announcing jewish daycamps or other events,no veils in sight
The synagogue where I attend Shabbath is on Thornhill,more than 2.000 people take part to various services...
What amazed me the most was the complete visible absence of security while people gladly spoke to each others after the service:this situation is unthinkable in Europe due to well known security concern
Toronto is a huge city, filled with many highlights
During l my stay, I did not notice an important muslim presence
Bottom line: Canada is a great country with very friendly people,muslim presence in Quebec is clearly a problem which will have to be adressed by government:legally speaking,a limitation of muslim immigration is uthinkable,this was confirmed by canadian friends
Ontario situation seems less problematic to me but this impression is very superficial,i know that many Pakis live in that province