Canada a fitting choice for Ismaili Imamat building – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada and the Ismaili community are bonded by shared values of tolerance, compassion, community service and, especially devotion to pluralism.
His comments are contained in a special message to the Arusha Ismaili reunion taking place in Toronto from July 30 to August 1 this year.
The Canadian prime minister said he truly believes that Canada is a fitting choice for the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.
Harper, with other government officials and diplomats joined His Highness the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, for the official opening of the Imamat building in Ottawa in 2008.
Extending greeting to all attending the reunion, Prime Minister Harper said the gathering, first in almost 50 years, presents everyone with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate shared heritage.
“It is also a chance for all Canadians to learn more about your traditions and your significant contributions to Canada’s diversity, Harper said.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, in his message, praised the Ismaili community for playing an important role in shaping the strong and dynamic society Canada enjoys today.
A message has also been received from Toronto Mayor David Miller expressing his best wishes for an enjoyable reunion.
Sultan Jessa, chair of the reunion, said preparations are now in the final stages.
“We expect around 300 people from around the world to attend this classy event,” he said.
Noor Gillani, another co-chair, said response from former Arusha residents has been beyond expectations.
“My group has done a fantastic job in planning for the reunion,” added Mohamed Lalani, the Toronto businessman in charge of planning and organizing.
The official Web site for the reunion will be officially launched soon.
https://ismailimail.blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/93480203-arusha-reunion.pdf
Earlier related: https://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/arusha-ismaili-reunion/
Ismailimail 
Great initiative by the Arusha re-unuion team to get their event across to the PMO , and to receive this wonderful message from the Prime Minister.
All the best to Sultan Jessa and his re-union team as well as everyone who will be gathering for the event.
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Great letter from the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, 22nd Prime Minister of Canada, to the Arusha Ismaili Reunion, which will take place in Toronto, Canada later this summer. Even though I have never lived in Arusha(but having passed through there as an 8 year old child in 1963) my maternal grandmother was born and raised there, in the shadow of the great dormant volcano mountain Kilimanjaro:
http://gonashgo.blogspot.com/2009/06/486the-conservative-government-of-prime.html
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Many thanks Malik for your encouragement and good wishes!
Hope we will see many more events like these in future.
Sultan
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