The book opens with Nenshi, who has gone on to become one of Canada’s most popular mayors after winning a surprising victory in the 2010 election. Clarkson explained that she wanted to start with the Ismailis, who escaped East Africa in the early 1970s during the rising pan-Africanist movement.
Many Ismailis traced their roots back to the Indian subcontinent, and moved to Africa during the colonial era.
The persecution was worst in Uganda, where Idi Amin ordered them out of the country in 1972 or face dire consequences. Then-Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau responded by welcoming the Ismailis to Canada, and many settled in the Lower Mainland.
Clarkson said that at that time, it was the largest influx of Muslims into this country. “They have an inclusive world view that has much volunteering in it,” she added.
She described Ismailis as “a people of the diaspora”, who’ve lived in Iran, Egypt, and South Asia. Clarkson noted that similar to European Jews and Chinese in Southeast Asia, Ismailis know what it’s like to be under threat.
“They are very sensitive to that,” she said.
More with video at the source: Adrienne Clarkson offers insights into how immigrants overcome trauma in Room For All of Us | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com.
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