Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

16 November 2024

3 minute read

Canada, a country in North America and the world’s second largest country, is closer to the North Pole than most other countries. It has a very cold climate for most of the year, with a very small temperature variant. Canada is a country with high living standards that boasts magnificent scenery, low levels of crime and personal safety as its key selling point for its citizens, who also have free access to healthcare and education, and some of the top universities in the world.

Canada is a long way from South Africa. There is an extensive visa process for South Africans wanting to visit Canada, but Saeed Jhatam, a South African living in Canada, says that a letter of invitation from a resident will make the process easier. Because there are no direct flights from South Africa to Canada, tourists would have to take two flights to get there.

The best time of year to visit would be between June and September when the region is experiencing a warm summer. Between September and October, autumn sets in and the trees change colour, making it a spectacular sight, especially in the city of Quebec. For those wanting to experience the snowfall but not wanting to visit the country in the very cold winter months, there are many cruises that go up to Alaska during this period.

Unfortunately, due to the weakness of the Rand, Canada is not the most affordable travel destination for South Africans. However, the cost of living for citizens is not too high.

Islam is widely practiced and accepted in Canada. With a broad Muslim population, there are Muslims from all over the world in Canada. Within the big cities, there are many masaajid and madrassahs and in certain areas, there are even Islamic schools.

Sightseeing in the huge country of Canada is mostly centred around the bigger cities. The largest city Toronto is very much like New York and is the cultural centre of the country. Quebec and Vancouver are well-known for their natural attractions. With mountain ranges forming a backdrop to the city, Vancouver has the feeling of Cape Town and features a natural forest right in the centre of the city where people go to enjoy the outdoors. The Rocky Mountains, the highest mountain ranges after the Himalayas, are also one of the most amazing attractions of Canada where tourists can drive along the mountain pathways and witness the awesome views. Beaches are rocky and the water is cold, but visitors can take a tour on the glaciers where one can actually witness the clear blue waters melting while standing on these huge blocks of ice that stretch for hundreds of metres.

Although very reserved, Canadians are “polite and tolerant” and both tourists and certain refugees are very welcome into the country. Canada has a wide ethnic population and there is plenty of halal food available, with Chinese, Middle Eastern, Turkish, Indian, Pakistani and Afghani foods being the most popular types of cuisine.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara and Ml Ibrahim Daya on the Early Breakfast Show.