Common Concerns and Constructed Communities

Media fulfill a number of different functions for members of diasporas, helping to maintain networks built around nationality, culture, or religion. In times of international conflict, immigrants or minorities living in Canada may be particularly reliant on diasporic media if mainstream news networks do not supply the relevant information or desired perspective. This article focuses on the specific role that Internet news services might play in fostering a sense of identity or community for a uniquely placed group, Canadian Muslims, during the invasion of Iraq. In particular, the construction of a loosely knit community opposed to the Iraq War is examined in relation to a news service, Montreal Muslim News, which is based in Canada but addresses a variety of domestic and international affairs. The content on this Web site is analyzed to determine what discourses it may contain regarding citizenship, community, and political engagement.