Kalim Ahmed, Calgary, Canada
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Calgary, Canada, has been organising annual outreach events in various northern towns and communities across Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, bringing the wisdom of Islamic teachings to distant regions. These journeys aim to share the message of peace, foster interfaith understanding and build enduring friendships with community leaders, educators and Indigenous peoples across the North.
One such long-standing initiative, the North Tabligh Tour, was launched in 2008. Each year, a dedicated team of volunteers travels thousands of kilometres to hold Voices for Peace Conferences, a series of interfaith gatherings where people of diverse beliefs come together in a spirit of mutual respect and learning.
This year’s tour took place on 19-22 September 2025. Despite challenges posed by ongoing wildfire evacuations in various northern communities, three successful interfaith programmes were held in Grande Prairie (AB), Peace River (AB), and Yellowknife (NWT).
A 17-member team, led by Summiullah Zafar Sahib, Sadr Jamaat Calgary West, departed on the evening of 19 September. Following the Asr prayer, Majeed Ahmad Sahib, Local Amir Jamaat Calgary, reminded the team of the spiritual purpose of the tour and led a silent prayer. The first stop of the team was at Edmonton, where they were warmly received and hosted at the Baitul Hadi Mosque.
The first event of the tour was held in Grande Prairie, a key urban centre in northwest Alberta. The 10th Annual Voices for Peace Conference took place at Northwestern Polytechnic, a leading educational institution in the region. The theme of the conference was “Living with Purpose – Perspectives on Life and Death.” Esteemed speakers representing Christianity, Humanism, Bahá’í Faith, Secularism and Islam presented their viewpoints. The programme was moderated by Dr Duff Crerar, a former professor at Northwestern Polytechnic and a well-respected personality. Ataul Wahab Sahib delivered the Islamic perspective. The event was widely publicised through Facebook, Eventbrite and community calendars. A total of 49 guests attended the event. The audience showed keen interest in the Islamic viewpoint, with several staying back after the event to continue discussions with Jamaat representatives.
The second event took place in Peace River, AB, about four and a half hours north of Edmonton. The 9th Annual Voices for Peace Conference was organised at a local hotel, also focusing on domestic and intimate violence, titled “Healing the Home”. The programme included thoughtful presentations from local social service and psychology professionals, alongside the Islamic perspective, highlighting the importance of coherence and peace in the family unit, delivered by Musawar Bajwa Sahib. The conference was moderated by Wanda Laurin, a former town councillor. The participants appreciated the thought-provoking discussion and the spirit of interfaith harmony.
The Jamaat has established a long-standing friendship with the Katl’odeeche First Nation (KFN) in the Northwest Territories, which has been a source of countless blessings. Although the KFN community was once again hosting wildfire evacuees, the former Chief Roy Fabian and the principal of the local high school opened the school building for the stay of the travelling team for the next two days. This generous gesture reflects the deep mutual respect and trust built over years of cooperation, dialogue, and friendship, a hallmark of the North Tabligh Tour.
The tour concluded in Yellowknife, where the 16th Annual Voices for Peace Conference was held at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. The event is held every year in association with PWNHC at their prestigious venue, in recognition of the educational and community-building value of the event. The conference featured various distinguished speakers, including Paul Andrew from Indigenous Spirituality, Rev Whitney Deware from Christianity, Lydia Bardak from Social Services and Mozaffar Ahmad Sahib from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The event was moderated by Deputy Mayor Garret Cochrane, with Mayor Ben Hendriksen attending as the Guest of Honour. The conference drew 65 participants, while the local and regional mainstream media, including CBC, Cabin Radio and Yellowknifer, widely published articles before and after the event, causing the peaceful message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to reach a wide audience. To further engage the public, Jamaat members also set up information booths at farmers’ markets and community spaces, where residents learnt about Islam Ahmadiyyat’s commitment to peace, service and social harmony.Widespread media coverage helped amplify the message of interfaith dialogue and unity, including CBC Radio – The Weekender, Cabin Radio, MyTrueNorthNow, Media Stenois and CKLB Radio.