Saturday, March 21, 2009

Ismaili Businessman caught in Stanford Investment scheme.

Zee's Notes: The last 7-8 years have been, in most accounts, a great time for individuals to make significant economic gains due to one of the greatest economic expansion periods witnessed. Investors took advantage of low interest rates and easy credit to leverage themselves to untold riches. I know of many, many Ismaili's who rode that wave and attained financial success not only in the Western World but also in Asia and Africa. But sadly as we see in the media today that fast moving party has smacked into a wall and now we are starting to see the carnage in the financial markets and in our own individual lives. Falling stock markets and real estate declines are hurting people like I've never witnessed in my lifetime and I remember my father paying 17% mortgage rates in 1982. When times are good a lot of frauds like the Stanford and Madoff ponzi scheme can be hidden but sooner or later the 'fat lady sings' to reveal the fraudsters for what they are - crooks taking advantage of the greed in people.

The Madoff ponzi scheme, which took in the elite Jewish Community, hit home to many Ismailis who got caught in the Salim Damji Colgate fiasco almost 10 years ago. Damji's Instant White fraud (see story here...)soaked $75 million from the Ismaili Community and most of the the money was never recovered. The sad part was that a lot of middle income families and seniors got taken in whilst Madoff was more content to only take down the very richest Jewish elite. Worse is that many of Damji's bag men, those in various cities who solicited (or conned) their friends out of their money are still out there walking though they have lost their reputations in the community.

So we will hear of many stories on these type of frauds in the days ahead and here is one of them...

In the lawsuit, filed on Feb. 25 in Alberta Court of Queen's Bench in Calgary, Dynasty Furniture Manufacturing Ltd., one of Canada's largest manufacturers of upholstered furniture, started in 1979 by East African immigrant Jim Sunderji, seeks damages for misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, conversion, fraudulent conveyance and breach of trust for what it claims is an investment scheme that is "untruthful and inaccurate...read complete story here

Here is another story of an Edmonton Ismaili entrepreneur who is very active in the Vancouver real estate market which, in the last few years, had the greatest uplift in home values in comparison to any large city throughout the globe - yes it was that good...read story here

Aga Khan to visit Winnipeg in 2010 ?

UWinnipeg To Host G8 Religious Leaders In 2010

WINNIPEG, MB – Up to 100 religious leaders from diverse faiths including Christianity, Judaism, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Islam, Indigenous Spirituality and Shinto traditions will gather in Winnipeg in late June, 2010 at the invitation of Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President & Vice-Chancellor, University of Winnipeg and the Canadian Council of Churches. It is the first time Canada will host the G8 Religious Leaders Summit which, for the past five years, has been organized to complement the meeting of G8 political leaders (in 2010, G8 leaders meet in Huntsville, Ontario.)
Participants will travel to Winnipeg from France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia (G8) as well as Africa for three days of dialogue devoted to advancing the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the G8 countries in 2000. The goals encompass pressing global concerns ranging from eradicating extreme poverty to combating HIV and malaria to ensuring environmental sustainability

Religious heads to hold own summit during G8 - Toronto Star Mar 19,2009

Nadir Mohammed to be named CEO of Rogers Communications - Ismailis in the News



Zee`s Notes: Vancouver`s Nadir Mohamed is soon to be announced as CEO of Canada`s largest media and wireless conglomerate Rogers Communications.

Nadir will become the first Ismaili to be a CEO of a major global public company - Rogers has a market cap of USD $19 billion - with interests in Cable, Telecom, Wireless, Radio, Television, Print and off course the Toronto Blue Jays professional baseball team. I first met Nadir in the early seventies as teammates of the Vancouver Aga Khan Cricket Club. I remember him vividly as at the time he was one of the only ones on the team with a car and he would, every Saturday, make the rounds and drive all over the city giving the young players rides to the game`s. A fine all-rounder who stopped playing the game to concentrate on his studies eventually becoming a Chartered Accountant. He went on to major success at BC Tel`s wireless division as President and then to Rogers in Toronto.
I saw him and wife Shabin, also a CA by profession, again in 2005 at the U. of Toronto at the commencement ceremony where MHI received an Honorary Degree. I spoke to him and Shabin for some time and both had not changed in 20 years - Nadir was the same gracious personality and he even asked me if I needed a ride to the airport. I could not be more happier for Nadir and look forward to reading on his success at Rogers in the years ahead.

Nadir Mohammed eyed as new Rogers chief Company founder, CEO Ted Rogers died last year By Etan Vlessing March 16, 2009, 12:37 PM ET TORONTO -- Rogers Communications wireless division head Nadir Mohammed has emerged as the company's next CEO. The Globe and Mail newspaper on Monday cited sources close to the executive hunt that indicated the announcement of Mohammed's promotion to the CEO post is imminent. Toronto-based Rogers, Canada's largest cable and wireless operator, has been in executive search mode since the death of company founder Ted Rogers in December. One of the few remaining obstacles to Mohammed's appointment is establishing a key management role for Edward Rogers, son of the late Ted Rogers and head of the company's cable division.

See this excellent video of the Business Community`s reaction to the news...

http://www.bnn.ca/news/7897.html

Financial Post profile on Nadir in 2005

http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=1021490

Profile of Nadir by CA Magazine in 2001

http://www.ica.bc.ca/kb.php3?pageid=713

Navroz Mubarak to our global Morningchai family !!!

Zee's Notes: Amazing 12 months have gone by since, at this time last year, the Ismaili's were preparing to head off to the four cities in the US for the Golden Jubilee Darbars. A lot has happened since then - most notably the entire global economy blew up in front of our eyes - yes times have changed and indeed in most Ismaili centers there will be no central 'Khushiali' celebrations. So thanks to the people who recorded some past Navroz celebrations here is a taste...

But first...I absolutely love the new rendition of the Ismaili Anthem...yes you can guess I love being an Ismaili !!!





While we are in the Khushiali mood - I need to give you this incredible story of one man who, to me, is the absolute soul of every Khushiali celebration in Vancouver. When we first moved to Vancouver in the early seventies there was this gent - his name is Mamlo Dhanji - who started the Vancouver Ismaili Band you are listening to in the video above. Mamlo has kept the Ismaili Band tradition alive for the past 30 years and he really epitomizes the celebration of our 'Khushiali. So the story is this - I am sitting here at 2:40am at my computer and looking in my hard drive if I have a picture of Mamlo - no luck - I could get it tomorrow but I want it right now - and by chance I surf over to Flickr - the photo sharing site - and type in Ismaili and lo and behold - there is a photo of Mamlo taken by an amateur lady photographer who happens to be at the Punjabi Market on Main Street - how cool is that !!!

Here is the post from Flickr - hats off to my friend Mamlo - seventy and getting younger....



Click here for comments by visitors to this lady`s site on Mamlo...http://www.flickr.com/photos/janisbrass/118390503/

Speaking of Khushiali - there is no tradition as old and universal to Ismailis from the Indian Sub-Continent and Africa as Dandiya. I dandiyad at 12 and 3 decades later I still dandiya - though a few times I ended up at the end of the line and don`t you hate that when you turn and no one on the right to catch your dandia stick - well here is what you can do if there is just the two of you and you don`t want to go into the line...just brilliant...have a great Navroz with your loved ones...

Canadian Minister sends Navroz Greetings to the Aga Khan and the Ismaili's

Obama sends Navroz Message to Iran

Zee's Notes: Clearly the new President in the US is a different breed in that he has done in 60 days what we haven't seen from an American leader in generations or maybe centuries. Last night I caught him on Jay Leno's Tonight Show and this leader of the most powerful nation on the earth is as humble as they come...I pray that he succeeds beyond our wildest dreams as finally there is someone in the Oval office who may lead us toward world peace - if there is such a thing...maybe I'm hoping too much !!!


Here is another example yesterday in this message of hope to the people of Iran.



Here is a snippet...



Can you believe the number of people he has to travel with daily...

Monday, February 02, 2009

Aga Khan - Personality of the Year - Apollo Magazine




Apollo - The Magazine for Collectors honored MHI as the Personality of the Year in the December 2007 issue.

Personality of the year
This year the Aga Khan celebrated his 70th birthday and his golden jubilee as spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims. His extraordinary investment in arts and architecture includes plans for a museum of Islamic art, writes Lucian Harris.

Click Here for the article - you have to register - it's free.

http://www.apollo-magazine.com/features/380491/personality-of-the-year.thtml

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Rita and Prince Aly Khan

I've never read - or found much material - about Prince Aly Khan and his life. Here is a video I found chronicling his romance and marriage to Hollywood queen Rita Hayworth - I believe the video footage must be from a movie that was made about the couple 50 plus years ago which also had the visit to East Africa after the wedding.

Aga Khan Golden Jubilee - Madagascar

Another GJ video - this time from one of the earlier visits - Madagascar in November 2007.

Aga Khan Golden Jubilee - Central Asia

An interesting video - would be nice to have the translation.

Aga Khan Golden Jubilee - Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat - Ottawa

Canada was blessed again with MHI's visit this time for the opening of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building in Ottawa.

Here is Stephen Harper's address - nice to see his sense of humor...



A pictorial of the day in Ottawa...

Aga Khan Golden Jubilee - France 2008

Paris is one of the world's most romantic cities and in December 2008 was also the location of the GJ Darbar. When Mukhianima of Burnaby Lake read the announcement I was sure the message was to include a notice to the International Jamat not to travel for the Paris Darbar - but no - the message was that the France Council was open heartedly inviting the world jamat with joy to celebrate this historic visit - and what a visit it turned out with most of the Noorani family in attendance - a bonus of bonuses for those lucky to be in the City of Lights - so aptly named for Ismailis as the light lives not to far away in the town known as Aiglemont.

Aga Khan Golden Jubilee - Canada 2008

Now that the GJ is over it's time to reflect on the marvelous year. All the JK's have been showing the movies from all the different visits - such memories !
Personally, I took a break from blogging to also look at the year that was and to think about the messages from Morning Chai readers. Many of you are undertaking journeys within to use the momentum of the GJ to move your own lives forward both material and spiritual by working harder to maintain or progress the balance which MHI wishes for us - it was truly a blessed year for Ismailis though it looks like it's going to be challenging in the years ahead - so my personal take was that the GJ was a primer - call it a preparation - for me to use the strength gained and to use it as a lever to fulfill all my wishes and achieve success in all my endevours.

In the months ahead I will focus on the the challenge of the economic downturn and also to undertake a journey into the history of the Ismailis.

In the meantime here are some videos on the Canada darbar. Enjoy...



Toronto Darbar Preparations



Calgary Darbar Preparations - where they transformed an entire warehouse into a spectacular showcase - leave it to those Albertans to create magic with their never say never attitude...

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Aga Khan Canada Visit - Summary

MHI arrival at Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver - Nov 24th, 2008

Youtube Video by Adil Chagani



CBC News - Vancouver



CTV News - Vancouver




GLobal TV - Calgary



YouTube - Flag raising at Burnaby Darkhana (at dawn)



YouTube - Welcome Calgary style



YouTube Video on Calgary Preparations and Celebrations

YouTube Video on Toronto Prepararations and Celebrations






http://www.theismaili.org/cms/622/Canada-visit - the best summary of the visit.


An unforgettable occasionBurnaby Now, Canada - 19 hours agoNatasha Rajan can't remember the first time she saw the Aga Khan as a four-year-old in her native Tanzania. But she won't forget the most recent time, ...

Q and A with the Aga KhanVancouver Sun, Canada - 28 Nov 2008... and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and Don Cayo of The Vancouver Sun. The interview took place Nov. 23 in Toronto. ...

Golden JubilationSouth Asian Post, Canada, Canada - 27 Nov 2008Vancouver was the final stop on the Aga Khan’s eight day, four-city Canadian tour, which began in Ottawa last Tuesday, with stops in Toronto and Calgary. ...

Gallery: Aga Khan's arrival in VancouverCanada.com, Canada - 25 Nov 2008VANCOUVER - She was only nine, but Almira Bardai remembers the day the Aga Khan came to dinner at her mother's family home. She didn't get to join the 200 ...

Ismaili Muslim leader says Canada's diversity is a model for the worldThe Canadian Press, B.C. - 25 Nov 2008VANCOUVER, BC — The leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says Canada's pluralism is a model to the world. The Aga Khan thanked Canada for ...

Muslim leader draws crowds in VancouverCBC.ca, Canada - 25 Nov 2008The Aga Khan was greeted by a crowd of thousands as he arrived at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver on Monday night. (CBC) Thousands of people turned up ...

Aga Khan's devotion to humanity revealed during Calgary visitCalgary Herald, Canada - 25 Nov 2008Unlike his father, a notorious playboy who had an eye for racehorses and Hollywood starlets, his highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV--the highness part was ...

Crowd of thousands greets arrival of spiritual leaderVancouver Sun, Canada - 25 Nov 2008VANCOUVER - Thousands of Ismaili Muslims from across North America took to the streets of downtown Vancouver Monday evening to welcome their spiritual ...

The Aga Khan reflects on the world best hopes and worst dangersVancouver Sun, Canada - 24 Nov 2008It’s something I hear a lot from people who know far more about international development than I do. Enough pieces of the puzzle have been found and fitted ...

Aga Khan sees hope for Muslim-West relationsCanada.com, Canada - 24 Nov 2008The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says he sees real prospects for new bridges and better relations between Muslim states and ...

Welcome to an honoured visitorCalgary Herald, Canada - 24 Nov 2008The Aga Khan's visit to Calgary today marks a significant event for the city's small but influential Ismaili community. For the first time in 16 years, ...

Spiritual leader brings out followers' emotionsCalgary Herald, Canada - 24 Nov 2008With tears in his eyes and his voice quivering, Nash Jetha speaks quietly when asked why he came to see the Aga Khan's arrival Sunday night in Calgary. ...

Aga Khan takes a personal interest in empowering womenVancouver Sun, Canada - 24 Nov 2008There are Golden Jubilee flags flying high in our great city this week denoting the visit of the great spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community ...

Aga Khan holds up Canada as model for the worldCanada.com, Canada - 23 Nov 2008TORONTO - What may often sound to Canadians like a discordant cacophony of voices from our diverse cultures and interest groups is apparently music to the ...

Thousands expected for Aga Khan's visit in CalgaryCanada.com, Canada - 22 Nov 2008CALGARY - Calgary's close-knit Ismaili Muslim community is on pins and needles in anticipation of Sunday's visit by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader for the ...

Thousands expected to attend gatheringsVancouver Sun, Canada - 22 Nov 2008VANCOUVER - Two large events will be held by religious organizations downtown in the next few days, despite BC's reputation as one of the most secular ...

Leader walking 'road of hope' salutedThe Province, Canada - 26 Nov 2008The Aga Khan's golden jubilee tour of BC made two stops yesterday -- one rubbing elbows with BC leaders, another mixing with his Ismaili supporters. ...

Aga Khan praises Canadian pluralism during Vancouver visitMetro Canada - Vancouver, Canada - 25 Nov 2008The spiritual leader of 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims and head of the world’s largest NGO, the Aga Khan, thanked Canadians yesterday for our contribution ...

Aga Khan's message of plurality a lesson for us allThe Province, Canada - 25 Nov 2008Two year-old Rose Mwaka had her foot amputated last August after an intern misdiagnosed her illness and gave her the wrong injection. ...

Thousands give Aga Khan a rock star greetingCTV British Columbia, Canada - 25 Nov 2008Thousands lined Vancouver streets Monday night for a brief glimpse of the Aga Khan as he arrived in BC for a quick stop. The leader of the world's 15 ...

Thousands welcome Aga KhanThe Province, Canada - 25 Nov 2008More than 25000 people will flock into BC Place today to greet the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims. ...

Royal hello for Muslim leaderCanoe.ca, Canada - 25 Nov 2008By DAVE DORMER, SUN MEDIA Thousands of the city's Ismaili Muslim community turned out at the Roundup Centre yesterday to hear words of wisdom and ...

Ismailis prepare to celebrate Vancouver visit of Aga Khan to BC PlaceGeorgia Straight, Canada - 24 Nov 2008By Shadi Elien Tomorrow (November 25) will mark an important day for the estimated 15000 members of the Ismaili community in Vancouver as they celebrate Aga ...

Aga Khan Marks Golden Jubilee In CanadaSouth Asian Link, Canada - 24 Nov 2008OTTAWA – Ismaili Muslims’ spiritual leader Aga Khan, the Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) arrived in Vancouver this week as ...

Thousands gather to hear Aga KhanCalgary CTV, Canada - 24 Nov 2008Thousands are filling the Round Up Centre for their opportunity to hear the Aga Khan. The spiritual leader of more than 15-million Ismaili Muslims is in ...

Aga Khan, spiritual leader to Ismaili Muslims, in Canada for eight ...Daily Gleaner, Canada - 22 Nov 2008By LAUREN LA ROSE TORONTO - Canadian Ismaili Muslims are marking a half-century of leadership of the Aga Khan, as the spiritual leader to millions around ...

The Aga Khan after 50 years: We may yet set the world rightVancouver Sun, Canada - 25 Nov 2008Despite the West's "big, big, big failure" in Iraq and continuing conflict in much of Afghanistan, the Aga Khan says the world has made great strides ...

Ismaili Muslim leader says Canada's diversity model for the worldWhistler Question, Canada - 25 Nov 2008British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, right, shares a laugh with spirtual leader Aga Khan during a photo op in the Premiers office during a visit to ...

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Ismaili visitors arrive in Vancouver for Golden Jubilee Visit


View Larger Map

The map above is Downtown Vancouver - click on the bed icon to see the Hotels listed on the GJ Canada website - these are on the Transport Shuttle route to the Agrodome Satellite JK 
BC Place is the Green button and the Blue button is Downtown JK

The restaurant icon is Vancouver's famous Simbas Grill Downtown location and the Burnaby location is below - click on them for directions.

The map below is a Greater Vancouver map highlighting key areas - the Yellow button is the Pacific National Exhibition - site of the Pacific Coliseum and the Agrodome. Click on the icons to see specific areas of interest.

The Aga Khan: faith and action



His Highness the Aga Khan is presented with the insignia of Companion of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, during a private ceremony that was held at Rideau Hall, on Monday, June 6, 2005. His Highness the Aga Khan was invested as an Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada, for his meaningful contributions to Canada.

Photographer: Sgt Eric Jolin, Rideau Hall

Special to Globe and Mail Update

Aga Khan hails brilliant filly and Cartier Horse of the Year Zarkava



Video on Telegraph.co.uk

Great pictures from the event at Getty Images...

Article from Bloodhorse.com

Zarkava was the big winner at the at the 2008 Cartier Racing Awards in London's Grosvenor House Hotel Nov. 17, collecting both the Horse Of The Year and Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Filly awards.

The daughter of Zamindar was unbeaten in seven starts, culminating in a brilliant Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) victory in October, and owner Aga Khan revealed that the filly's great, great grand dam had been named after his daughter Princess Zahra, who also attended the 2008 Cartier Awards.
“I would like to thank Cartier for the prize that has been given to Zarkava and just share with you what she means to me," he said when accepting the Three-Year-Old Filly Award.
“Zarkava goes back to my grandfather's time, to my father's time and the family carries the name of my daughter and so she is very special and I think very exceptional. Sometimes we are associated with fast ladies and this is a case when I am very happy to be associated with a fast lady.”
After collecting the Horse of the Year award, the Aga Khan added: “Thank you very much for the honor and I have to mention my daughter. She bred Mandesha and she bred Darjina, and she will probably be putting her father back out to the field.”


Read complete article here...

Governor General Welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, officially welcomed His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee
Date: November 19, 2008
Photographer: MCpl Jean-François Néron, Rideau Hall

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Aga Khan Visit to Canada - November 19th, 2008 - Day 2

Zee's Notes: It's now Day 2 of MHI's visit to Canada.

I went to BC Place today to volunteer for preparations for the Darbar on Tuesday Nov. 25th. What's impressing me more and more everyday is the number of youngsters who are making the committment to their faith and to MHI. I come from a time where we almost lost a whole generation of teens. In the early '80's my generation had the benefit of growing up in Africa and when we came to Canada our value systems were firmly entrenched so it was not too hard to retain our culture, faith and heritage - and off course moms stayed home while dads went off to work in their new jobs. For many new families both parents had to work so the kids, in many cases, who really grew up in Canada were heavily influenced by peer pressure and sought different answers to pressures of life. The '90's kids really grew up influenced by their grandparents who babysat them for the most part. The last 20 years have been more stable as the Canadian Ismaili nuclear family (including grandparents) firmly established themselves socially, economically and moreso their committment to their faith.
So when I saw all the teens and youth working and having the time of their life it made me grateful to all the dads, moms, grandmas and grandpas who gave themselves so their kids could have a better life. We really need to say a big thank you to those pioneers who took on the challenge in 1972 - many who arrived at Canadian airports with the clothes on their backs literally - and made it a life - and a good one at that.
So the message here is that when we celebrate the Deedar in the next few days let's spare a moment to shed a tear of joy of gratefulness of the blessings we've been lucky to have received in the almost 40 years of life in Canada - which was only possible due to the vision of one who may have a time horizon of 100 years or possibly more - is that not incredibly mind boggling ?....all we can do is be in total awe...

Some news from the wires today:

Governor General Welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall
November 18, 2008
OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will officially welcome His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at 4:30 p.m.

Aga Khan on eight-day visit to Canada Thaindian.com, Thailand -
Toronto, Nov 20 (IANS) The Aga Khan, the spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Muslims, is on a eight-day official visit to Canada to meet his followers and the ...

BC welcomes the Aga Khan The Asian Pacific Post, Canada
A current of electrified excitement is crackling through British Columbia’s Ismaili community as the arrival in Vancouver of His Highness the Aga Khan fast ...

The Aga Khan builds a better world The Asian Pacific Post, Canada
Celebrating his Golden Jubilee as the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan brings his message of pluralism, peace and prosperity to ...

Aga Khan to address Ismaili community here Vancouver Sun, Canada
As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden ...

Aga Khan kicks off 8-day visit The Province, Canada
The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims will meet with Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and BC ...

Aga Khan in Canada to celebrate 50 years of leadership of Ismailis The Gazette (Montreal), Canada - 18 Nov 2008
By Salim Jiwa, Vancouver Province Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on ...

His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Canada - Tuesday November 18th, 2008

Upon his arrival in Ottawa, Mawlana Hazar Imam is received by President Mohamed Manji of the Ismaili Council for Canada. The Honourable Ministers John Baird and Jason Kenney welcomed Hazar Imam on behalf of the Canadian Government. Photo: Gary Otte

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/622/Canada-visit


Zee's Notes: Mubaraki to all on MHI's touchdown on Tuesday November 18th, 2008 at Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Some interesting notes on watching the video:
Hazar Imam was met by 2 senior Cabinet Ministers from the Canadian Government as he came down the stairs off the Gulfstream jet - the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Next was Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada
Mobina Jaffer, the senator from BC, was the first in line to receive MHI followed by her spouse Mr. Nurullah Jeraj. Yasmin Ratansi, the Liberal member of Parliament for Toronto's Don Valley East riding was next.
The most heart warming welcome was with Justin Trudeau, recently elected as Liberal MP for the Papineau riding in Quebec, who also happens to be the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau - a great friend of MHI. Indeed MHI was present at the funeral in October 2000 at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica. A cheer ensued from the jamat, watching the video, at Burnaby Lake JK as this exchange took place.
Also in line was BC Judge Sheni Dossa (wearing the red scarf) and her spouse. Next, and receiving a cheer also from the local BC crowd, off course was our very own Darkhana M/K's (Salim and Leila Ahmed and Karim and Shairoz Nathoo) , who also had travelled to Ottawa to receive MHI.
After the Nashid al-Imamah and the Canadian national anthem, MHI's motorcade departed and passed through Lansdowne Park where the Ottawa jamat had gathered to celebrate MHI's arrival. Some great pictures and first hand commentary on this at http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/ottawa-photos/ .

All in all, a great start to MHI's historic visit to Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.