Canada is often a place that tourists tend to skip over when picking vacation spots, but those people are missing out on a trip of a lifetime! Canada is a massive country with everything you could want to see and do on vacation, be it adventure or thrill-seeking opportunities, or relaxing in charming countrysides or on even on magnificent beaches.
There are also many reasons why Muslims love to travel to Canada, namely, the availability of Muslim-friendly facilities and the feeling of being welcomed. Islam is the second largest religion in Canada, standing at 3.2% of the population, after Christianity. This means that there's no shortage of anything you could need to fulfil your requirements without compromising your faith
Here are the top reasons to visit Canada in 2018:
Canada is one of the best places to witness the elegance and beauty of nature – and revel in the magnificence of Allah's creations. With brooding snow-capped mountains, incredible road trails, and craggy beaches around the country, it is any nature lover's dream come true and there is no shortage of things to do and see in Canada.
Enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains that serve as a backdrop for the city of Banff, or kick back and relax on the stunning beaches of British Columbia. And let's not forget the renowned Niagara Falls in Ontario, something you definitely cannot miss on your Halal travel to Canada. And you can even see the famous natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights straight from the backyard of a home in Albert!
Canada is also home to some of the world's most incredible wildlife. The vast, sprawling environments of these animals that remain unaffected by humans gives these animals a chance to thrive in their natural habitats. You can spot grizzly bears in the Great Bear Nature Tours in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest, snorkel with beluga whales in Churchill, see Walruses in the Community of Hall Beach in the Arctic, and so much more!
Picture Credit - www.facebook.com/CelebrationOfLight/
Not only are there amazing natural landscapes, wildlife tours, and incredible shopping in Canada, there are also plenty of fascinating festivals that take place around the country throughout the year. Taking part in these festivities gives you a chance to mingle with the locals and learn a little bit more about the culture and traditions of this fascinating country.
Picture Credit: Carnaval De Quebec
From comedy and art to food, children's festivals, and county fairs, there's something happening somewhere to suit your personal interests. Some of the most famous events to take place in Canada include the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, the Celebration of Light festival in Vancouver, the Quebec Winter Carnival in Quebec, and so much more. Check out the local listings in the particular cities you plan to visit to see what festivals are taking place during your time of visit.
History or culture isn't exactly what a tourist think of when they think Canada, but the country has a deep a rich heritage that you can explore on your travels. The amazing part about each city in Canada is that they are all distinct and offer entirely different opportunities to explore, activities, adventure, and more. In today's world of artificially created attractions that can take away the authenticity of experiences to be had, this is truly a breath of fresh air.
Explore the charm of French-speaking Quebec, which seems like a quaint town in rural France, or head to Toronto to live it up amongst the city folk. You can also experience the history of Canada by visiting these ancient Canadian attractions that have been gazetted as National Historic Sites such as Fort York and Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, Ontario, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, Canada, Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and more.
There are also many places where you can take yourself back to the olden days and participate in activities like being a soldier for a day at the Halifax Citadel National Historical Site in Nova Scotia, or experience the culture and heritage of the Anishinaabe people at the Pukashwa National Park in Northern Ontario.
The friendliness and hospitality of Canadians is often a popular theme in pop culture and TV shows, but the best part is that this theory is actually rooted in reality! Canadians are some of the most welcoming people in the world, and who better to represent this than their prime minister Justin Trudeau, who not only allowed refugees into the country but welcomed them at the airport by saying “You are home”.
Not only does Canada have an incredible infrastructure, it is also one of the safest countries to travel with a relatively low crime rate. As Muslim travelers, you would not have to feel out of place because of the significant Islamic population who live here as well. You can allow yourself to be completely yourself on your Halal holiday in Canada!
With a large population of Muslims scattered all over the country, there is no doubt that you will be able to find amazing Halal food all across the country. Obviously, there will be more options in cities with a dense population of Muslims like Ontario, but you should have a few choices no matter where you go.
You can find a range of cuisines from local food to Middle Eastern, Asian, and more at food trucks to fine dining in Canada. Make sure to try the unique dish “Poutine”, which has even been touted to be the National dish of Canada, although not officially.
Here are some of the top Halal restaurants in Canada:
Get more information on Halal food in Canada through the website: www.canadianhalalfoods.com/
Picture Credit - baitunnur.org
As we've already mentioned, Islam is the largest minority in the country, which means there are plenty of prayer places in Canada. Not only are there many mosques scattered all over the country, many places also accommodate Muslims by having prayer rooms and even specially designed restrooms to suit the needs of Muslims.
Here are some of the most famous mosques in Canada:
Address: 4353 54 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T3J 4L3, Canada.
Contact: +1 403-243-1600
Jami Omar Mosque
(Address: 3990 Old Richmond Rd, Nepean, ON K2H 8R5, Canada. Phone: +1 613-828-2222)
Outaouais Islamic Centre
(Address: 4 Rue Lois, Gatineau, QC J8Y 3R1, Canada. Phone: +1 819-776-1831)
Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque
(Address: 3810 Eastgate Dr, Regina, SK S4Z 1A5, Canada. Phone: +1 306-359-1713)
Ask a random person anywhere in the world what Canada is most famous for and chances are, they'll tell you its maple syrup! This popular sweet condiment is made from the xylem sap of various types of maple trees. Canada is the largest manufacturer and exporter of maple syrup in the world (most of it concentrated in Quebec), which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.
There's no doubt that Canadians love maple syrup, I mean, the maple leaf is even on their national flag! Anywhere you go, you should be able to find maple syrup-themed goodies and treats, from cookies and cakes to maple-treated meats, and so much more. Make sure to try them all, and maybe even stock up on a few of them to bring back as souvenirs!
For more destination ideas on where to travel in 2018, check out our travel blog or download the Halaltrip Islamic Travel App to find locations of halal restaurants and mosques near you.
