At the Parliament event, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba presented Hon. Louise Arbour, the former High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations and a former Canadian Supreme Court Judge with the Sir Zafrullah Khan Award for Public Service. This award recognised her outstanding public service during her long and distinguished career.
Upon receipt of the award, Hon. Louise Arbour said:
“I am deeply honoured to receive this very prestigious award that is named after a great jurist, lawyer, judge and a great diplomat. I am particularly honoured to be associated with Sir Zafrullah Khan, as he was a Chief Judge and President of the International Court of Justice… I have also always been deeply impressed by the promotion of the culture of peace that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has stood for and continues to stand for.”
—————————————————————————————————————————————
A number of guest speakers also took to the stage.
Hon. Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and official representative of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said:
“It is an honour and privilege to be here tonight to welcome His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Caliph and leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to Parliament Hill. All of Parliament Hill has come together today to join His Holiness, to celebrate with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and to demonstrate our strong support… The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community makes an enormous difference here in Canada and always demonstrates Love for All, Hatred for None.”
Dr. James J. Zogby, Vice-Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom said:
“Your Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, on behalf of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom I am honoured to be with you tonight. What has always impressed us about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is how, despite being all too often victims of persecution, you remain champions for the rights of others who are being persecuted. In a world where intolerance seems to be increasing the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community remains a strong advocate of tolerance and goodwill.”
Earlier in the day, His Holiness held a range of meetings with Federal Ministers of Canada’s Government, Senators and MPs. His Holiness also held a meeting with Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau. The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was also officially recognised by the Speaker of Parliament during a session of Question Period, in which all present members of the House of Commons, including the Prime Minister, stood and gave His Holiness a standing ovation.
© Makhzan-e-Tasaweer
Further, Hon. Judy Sgro MP, read out a Members Statement in the House of Commons that stated:
“Mr. Speaker, earlier today the global spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community arrived in Ottawa for a formal visit to Parliament Hill. During his time with us, he will meet with Cabinet Ministers, Senators, Members of Parliament, and the Prime Minister in an effort to further underscore his peaceful message of love for all and hatred for none. This work is part of an ongoing effort undertaken by His Holiness to showcase the peaceful nature and beauty of the faith (of Islam) and while calling on global powers to advance an agenda of peace, religious freedom, and the advancement of human rights in Canada and around the world. I applaud His Holiness and members of the global Ahmadiyya faith for their work, and I extend a hand of friendship on behalf of my constituents and the people of Canada.”
The special reception concluded with a silent prayer led by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. Following dinner Parliamentarians and guests were able to meet personally with His Holiness.
Prime Minister of Canada receives wordwide Head of the ahmadiyya Muslim community
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba was received by the Prime Minister of Canada, Rt. Hon, Justin Trudeau at the Prime Minister’s Office in Ottawa. During the meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his pleasure at welcoming His Holiness to Canada and thanked His Holiness for his continued efforts to promote peace worldwide and stated that his Government greatly appreciated the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada and con- sidered it to be an integral part of the nation. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba thanked the Prime Minister for his words and said that he wished to personally congratulate the Prime Minister on his election last year. His Holiness also said that he had listened to Question Period in the House of Commons earlier in the day and he had noted that a number of the “burning issues of today” had been discussed and debated. Later, Prime Minister Trudeau said: “ Your Holiness, your friendship and leadership is very important to Canada and we appreciate the way the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community condemns all forms of extremism.”
Add Comment