Eid Celebrations at Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Eid Celebrations at Parliament Hill were initiated by Mobeen Khaja in 1998. Now, they are a landmark tradition for the Canadian-Muslim community.
Parliament Hill Celebration Time Line
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL EID-UL-FITR CELEBRATIONS
2005-2010
Tenth
Eid Celebration
February 2nd 2005
Awards were presented to the Honorable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons and Hon. Dan Hays, Speaker of the Senate.
Hon. Paul Martin spoke about Canada’s growing role in the world and called upon the Muslim community to put their shoulder to the wheel as Canada moves forward internationally. He said the Charter of Rights is a code of Canadian values and protects the rights of minorities. He went on to say that Canada is a nation of minorities and the Charter is the foundation of our democracy. He adds Canada is a country that has her greatest days ahead, and that we do not have to look back but continuously look forward to a world not the way it has been but to a world as it must be.
Mrs. Norah Al-Jameeh, one of the founding members of the National Committee of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, was the Keynote Speaker. She spoke about the social and economic changes that are taking place in Saudi Arabia and how women now hold teaching positions at universities, own businesses, sit on committees that are making policy decisions, all in keeping with the rights and status granted to women in Islam.
The Association also arranged a luncheon in Toronto on February 4, 2005 where Mrs. Norah Al-Jameeh adressed 300 invited guests.
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1999-2004
Fourth
Eid Celebration
February 3rd 1999
This was the first Eid celebration organized by the Association in Room 200, and the 4th one organized by Mobeen Khaja. Mrs. Nurjehan Mawani, C.M., Chair of the Immigration & Refugee Board, was the Keynote Speaker.
More than 60 Members of Parliament and Senators attended. There were Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 25 countries. Mr. Aziz Bhaloo, National President for the National Ismaili Council, attended. There was pin-drop silence as Mobeen Khaja read the letter from His Highness, Prince Aga Khan, in which he gave his blessings to the Association for being truly representative of all Muslims.
2011-2014
Seventeenth
Eid Celebration
November 16 2011
Seventeenth
Eid Celebration
November 16 2011
In 2011, His Excellency David Jacobson, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, was honored at a celebration held at the Ottawa Sheraton Hotel due to the West Block's closure for renovations. As the Ambassador was abroad, Mrs. Julie Jacobson accepted the award on his behalf, which included a plaque, a polar bear sculpture, and a flag from the Parliament Buildings. The award recognized Jacobson's efforts to strengthen U.S.-Canada relations and his dedication to public service. Mrs. Jacobson was also praised for her work with underprivileged children.
Farah Pandith, U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Countries, delivered the keynote address. She emphasized the importance of listening to young Muslims and fostering tolerance. The event, emceed by Charles Coffey and Goldy Hyder, was attended by dignitaries, including Mayor Jim Watson, Members of Parliament, and international ambassadors. A video of President Obama's 2011 Iftar dinner speech was also featured.
2016-2022
Twenty First
Eid Celebration
September 20 2016
The celebrations were held in the new Room 200 in the Sir John Mcdonald Building on Wellington Street. The Keynote Speaker was His Excellency Nadir Patel, High Commissioner for Canada to India, Nepal and Kingdom of Bhutan. Retired Chief Armand La Barge was the Master of Ceremonies.
Many Members of Parliament attended. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in New York at the United Nations, Hon. William Francis Morneau, Minister of Finance represented the Government.
His Excellency Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio, Ambassador of Holy Sea (Vatican) said Grace before dinner. Sandulak's polar bears were presented to both H. E. Nadir Patel and H. E. Luigi Bonazzi.
Goldy Hyder introduced H.E. Nadir Patel. The keynote address was very interesting as it was about Canada's role in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
