As-Salaam
Alaikum.
I
would be a fool to stand in your way
of a Pakistani meal, so I promise
to be brief!
Deputy
High Commissioner Khiani - welcome
to Edmonton! If it’s not already,
it will be obvious by the end of tonight
that Edmonton’s Pakistani community
is the most vibrant and talented in
the country.
From
weekly Urdu classes to Independence
Day celebrations, to handicraft programs
to, as Durie Atuk describes it, “full
gusto” Heritage Days performances
and displays, there’s no doubt
that Pakistani culture and religious
heritage are flourishing in our city.
New
Canadians are warmly welcomed and
connected. Health seminars, picnics,
cricket matches and more have created
the almost tangible sense of community
you can feel in the room tonight.
There are special programs for seniors
and women that include providing training
to enhance entrepreneurial potential
for small business, opportunities
to produce and sell handicrafts, services
and products which would generate
income for the underemployed, and
facilitate intergenerational communication
and successful integration.
Youth are involved in math classes
for grades one to twelve and girl
guides programs. I also understand
that those in Urdu classes are in
the process of translating and learning
to sing O Canada in Urdu.
Not only are you, Deputy High Commissioner,
among a community determined to help
each other, but also one that shares
a strong sense of the need to reach
out and share our good fortune with
those suffering around the world.
We’ll never forget how thousands
of dollars were raised after the earthquake
in ‘97 - and how this very restaurant
donated meals for over 1100 people!
Many of you are also active in COIN
(Children of Islamic Nations) which
supports primary health and education
projects such as immunization for
a whole village clean water initiatives
in India, Bangladesh and others. Right
now they are helping to buy an ambulance
in Lahore for a welfare society serving
the underprivileged.
Of course all Edmontonians have benefited
from the richness and variety the
community has brought to our city.
Pakistani Canadians are contributing
actively as professionals, businesspeople,
educators, civil servants and volunteers.
Many, I’m proud to say, are also
following in the traditions of many
of Pakistan’s greatest leaders
by becoming active politically.
At
a time when genuine dialogues and
understanding between all people are
perhaps our best hope for peace and
prosperity in Canada and around the
world, your voices are needed more
than ever. On June 22nd there will
be a major conference on “Islam
& Diversity” in Ottawa. If
any of you, dear friends, would like
to attend, please speak to me.
A
hearty thank you to those who organized,
prepared, and served tonight’s
meal - and all who are proving to
Mr. Khiani that Edmonton never disappoints!
Khuda
Haffiz
