Story and Photographs By Sultan Jessa
EDWARDS: Ontario – It was a perfect day with a cool breeze for Ottawa’s much anticipated annual Jamati picnic.
“We could not have asked for better weather,” said Bashir Surani, president of the Aga Khan District Council of Ottawa.
He noted the attendance could have been a little larger but some people, stayed away thinking it was going to rain.
Ottawa like most of Ontario and Quebec has gone through hot and humid weather accompanied by severe thunder showers in the past few days.
More than Ismailis from Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and even some from neighbouring United States attended the picnic at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane farm Sunday.
Almost the same number the picnic in 2015.
Young and old joined in communal feasting, fun, games, sporting events, and traditional rasdas.
Surani paid tribute to the team of volunteers who helped in cooking and serving food.
There was no shortage of mouth-watering foods, which included bhajiya, barbecued chicken and ribs and other delicacies.
Once again this year, the musical entertainment was provided Karim Moloo of Toronto.
There are already hints of a mammoth picnic in 2017 since it will be the start of the Diamond Jubilee Year.
Ismailimail 