Bosnian Canadians
Total population | |
---|---|
(25,665[1]) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta | |
Languages | |
Canadian English, Bosnian and Canadian French | |
Religion | |
Sunni Islam, Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Atheism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Bosnian American, and European Canadian |
Bosnian Canadians are Canadian citizens whose ancestry can be traced to Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the 2001 Canadian census, 25,665 people claim Bosnian ancestry.[1]
The majority of Bosnian Canadians emigrated to Canada as refugees during and after the Bosnian War, which lasted from 1992-1995. The history of Bosnian arrivals to Canada, however, dates back to as far as the 19th century.[1]
History
The traditional centers of residence and culture for Bosnian Canadians are located in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary. Numerous Bosnian language newspapers and other periodicals are published in many states. The largest Bosnian organisation in Canada is the Congress of North American Bosniaks.[2]
Religion
The Bosnian Islamic Association Gazi Husrev-Beg was founded in November 1977 under the name 'Association of Islamic Community Gazi Husrev-Beg'. It has been operating under its current name (BIAGH) ever since 1995. The primary reason of its foundation was to respond to the religious needs of its members. That was made possible through a full-time imam, who has been serving this community uninterruptedly since June 1982. The BIAGH caters to the needs of Bosniaks that pertain to Bosniak tradition, folklore, sport and different creative workshops.
Notable Bosnian Canadians
- Arnej, musician
- Asmir Begović, soccer player and Bosnia and Herzegovina international
- George Chuvalo, boxer
- Zijad Delić, imam, activist, teacher, scholar and public speaker
- Merlin Dervisevic, director of Cruel and Unusual
- Vladimir Kuljanin, basketball player
- Nemanja Mitrović, basketball player
- Mila Mulroney, wife of the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney
- Neven Pajkić, boxer
- Dina Pandzic, model
- Admir Salihović, soccer player
- Goran Simić, poet
- Alija Solak, soccer player and Canadian international
- Nik Zoricic (1983–2012), skier