Syed Mukarram Nazeer, Canada Correspondent
Each year on 1 July, Canadians celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the Canadian Confederation, which took place on 1 July 1867. On this day, the three colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick united into a single Dominion named Canada, within the British Empire. Originally named Dominion Day, it was renamed Canada Day in 1982.
Canada Day is celebrated with a patriotic spirit. Celebratory ceremonies are held all day long with live performances, stalls, activities for children, and food for all. Fireworks in the evening bring the day to an end. The largest single Canada Day event is held in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa.
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada also celebrates Canada Day with full patriotic zeal. All major jamaats and imarats across Canada, including Brampton, Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Vaughan, and Winnipeg, hold this event. Local dignitaries, including First Responders, Councillors, Mayors, MPPs (Members Provincial Parliament), Provincial Ministers, MPs (Members Federal Parliament), and Federal Ministers also attend.
One such event was held jointly at the Mubarak Mosque in Brampton by Brampton East Imarat and Brampton West Imarat.
Flag hoisting ceremony followed by silent prayer led by Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada Lal Khan Malik Sahib started the day and also presided over the session.
The formal event started with the recitation from the Holy Quran with its English translation, followed by the national anthem of Canada, first in English and then in French.
Community Activist and Master of Ceremony, Jake Dheer read the Land Acknowledgement Statement, recognising the rights of Aboriginal people on the land of Canada. In his opening remarks, Amir Sahib welcomed all guests and emphasised the importance of one’s loyalty to their country in Islam.
Mayor of the City of Brampton Patrick Brown, the first speaker, stated that Brampton City Council has unanimously declared the month of July “Ahmadiyya Heritage Month”, and passed a motion, paving the way for a new traffic light to be installed at the South Entrance of the mosque and for it to be officially named, “Ahmadiyya Gate”.
Messages from the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, were read out. Various dignitaries also shared their thoughts. These included politicians, senior members of local police, fire, and emergency services, media personalities, and Rotary Club office bearers. Appreciation of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada’s efforts in hosting the event and becoming a positive contributing member of society was the common underlying theme.
Amir Brampton East Imarat and Amir Brampton West Imarat jointly thanked all guests for attending the event.
Amir Sahib Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada led the silent prayer, and thus the formal part of the event ended.
An estimated 700 people attended the event.