Leader of the Official Opposition welcomes Aga Khan on first official visit to Canada
Last week, I rose in the Legislature to mark Prince Rahim al-Hussaini's first official visit to Canada and to reflect on how far our community has come — and how much we have contributed to this place we call home.
I am proud to be an Ismaili Muslim. I am deeply grateful for the community we have here in our country, and I look forward to welcoming the Aga Khan back for his first visit to Alberta.
Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb9cweChvTw
Eastern Canada Deedar and visit March 25-31
Re: Eastern Canada Deedar and visit March 25-31
2026, April 1:: Speech by Nahid Nenshi on Shah Rahim's visit to Canada.
VIDEO SPEECH: https://ismaili.net/timeline/2026/2026-04-05-nensi.mp4
2024, Nenshi announced he would run for leader of the Alberta NDP. He won on the first ballot and he became a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in June 2025, winning the Edmonton-Strathcona by-election and assuming the title of leader of the Opposition.
VIDEO SPEECH: https://ismaili.net/timeline/2026/2026-04-05-nensi.mp4
2024, Nenshi announced he would run for leader of the Alberta NDP. He won on the first ballot and he became a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in June 2025, winning the Edmonton-Strathcona by-election and assuming the title of leader of the Opposition.
Re: Eastern Canada Deedar and visit March 25-31
2026, March 30-31:
Noorani Didar of Mowla Shah Rahim Al Hussani Hazar Imam - Toronto, Canada
Ya Ali Madad,
My name is Abdul Rehman Tharoo, from Orlando, Florida.
Today, I feel deeply humbled and honored to share a few reflections from the blessed Noorani Didar held in Toronto, Canada, on March 30th, 2026.
I had the profound privilege of accompanying my nephew, Muneer Ali Madhani, who resides at Sunbeam Lodge in Kitchener, Ontario.
Muneer Ali has cerebral palsy since birth and has a history of seizures. This Didar was not only important, it was deeply meaningful for his wellbeing and spiritual uplift meant.
Muneer Ali and myself arrived at the Enercare Centre at approximately 2:45 PM and were guided to the High Medical Needs area.
This area accommodated 16 murids on beds and wheelchairs who required special care.
This room was located near the main entrance, beside the red-carpet pathway, and separated by white curtains to ensure comfort and privacy. We followed the ceremony on a 36 inches monitor.
At around 4:15 PM, Mowlana Hazar Imam entered the main hall. At that very moment, an overwhelming sense of peace and Noor filled the entire space. The recitation of Salawat echoed beautifully across the hall, where nearly 20,000 murids had gathered. Even though we were behind the curtains, we felt spiritually present, connected in every heartbeat.
When Mowlan Haraz Imam ascended the stage, the curtains were lifted, and the Didar ceremony began. The stage was far, so we continued to watch on the monitor as Mowla accepted Mehmanis and blessed the Jamat with His Holy Farmans.
We held hope in our hearts that Mowla would pass by us and we will have an opportunity get a closer glimpse at the Noor of Mowla.
As Mowla descended from the stage, the curtains were lowered again. In that moment a deep feeling of disappointment filled the room. We watched on the monitor, Mowla departing the hall.
I held Muneer Ali close and softly whispered, Mawla Bapa forgot us. Ali responded, calling out, “ Mawla Bapa”
At that very sacred moment, Mowla entered the room from the side entrance. Instantly, the entire space was overwhelmed by the radiance of his Noor, so powerful, so pure. It felt as though the room itself had dissolved into divine light.
While jamat in the hall began reciting Du’a and Giryazari Tasbih with deep devotion. Every heart trembling, every soul immersed in a state of spiritual surrender.
Just imagine, reciting Du’a with Noor of Mowla physically present before you. His blessed gaze upon you, His mercy flowing like a shower of grace upon your soul. In that moment, nothing remain except the profound connection between the Mureed and the Murshid.
There were two rows of eight beds. We were in the front row. Mowla began from the back, visiting each Mureed individually, blessing each one with Noorani Didar. On one bed, Mowla leaned forward gently to bless the murid, The murid embraced Mowla tight In her arms. It was a moment that touched every heart.
Muneer Ali was second to last in the row. To our right was a Mureed who was brought in from hospice care. As Mowla approached, He noticed that Mureed and with deep compassion, Mowla went directly to him first, before returning to continue.
The moment of intezari dissolved into reality. As Mowlana Hazar Imam stood before us, time itself seemed to pause. My heart trembled, I was overwhelmed, tears flowing endlessly, my lips moving in silent prayers. In that sacred presence. I lost all sense of words. The magnitude of blessings unfolding before me.
Mowla with his hand on my shoulder, enquired about Muneer Ali and his wellbeing. I shared that Ali has had cerebral palsy since birth and that his mother—my sister Malika, raised him as a single parent. She has been in Mowla’s Huzoor since 2020.
I mentioned that I am Ali’s uncle from Florida, and that I visit him regularly.
Mowla then looked at Ali and said, “You have a good uncle.”
Mowla gently kissed Ali on his left cheek and Ali responded with a beautiful, joyful laugh.
Mowla then turned to me and said, “You are a good person. Keep on the good work. You are blessed”
At that moment, I could no longer stand on my feet. I fell to my knees, holding onto Mowla’s feet.
Mowla immediately lifted me up, held me close to His chest, and said, “Be strong. You are doing good.”
Mowla then asked me “Do you need anything”Through tears, I could not respond.
Mowla asked again, “Do you need help?"
And all I could say was… “Ameen.”
Mowla then called President Ameeraly Kassam Lakha and instructed him to put Muneer Ali in Generations.
With tears flowing, my hand on Ali’s head, I asked for forgiveness for any shortcomings, and prayed for blessings for Muneer Ali, his loved ones, our family, and kul Ruhanis.
Mowlana Hazar Imam blessed us with “Kanavadan” and reassured us by saying, “Ruhanis are in a good place.”
Before leaving, Mowla once again turned to Ali and said, “You have a great uncle.”
For Ali and me, this moment was beyond anything words can describe. Despite Muneer Ali's physical challenges, his joy, his peace, his connection, went far beyond any limitation.
Muneer Ali's face radiated نور… calm and complete contentment.
This blessed Didar brought immense strength, peace, and reassurance, not only to Muneer Ali, but to me as well. It was a powerful reminder of Mowla’s infinite compassion, care, and boundless grace, especially for those in need.
“Knowing Malika - (may her soul rest in eternal peace) her unwavering faith and complete trust in Mowla were nothing short of extraordinary. Her devotion was pure, deep, and filled with love beyond words. It is through that sincere faith that Ali was drawn so close to Mowla.
The moment when Mowla kissed Ali was not just a blessings, felt like a sacred and deeply moving sign of grace. In that moment, it was as if Malika’s prayers were being answered, her heart quietly pleading with Mowla to always watch over Muneer Ali, to protect him, guide him, and hold him in His eternal care.
It was a moment filled with love, faith, and divine connection, one that will forever remain etched in our hearts.”
We remain deeply grateful for this opportunity, which will continue to inspire our faith for years to come.
A murid could not have wished for anything more.
Shukar Mowla....
May the blessings of this sacred Didar be bestowed upon each and every one of you, and upon your beloved families. May its Noor bring peace to your hearts, strength to your faith and endless barakah into your lives. Ameen
Noorani Didar of Mowla Shah Rahim Al Hussani Hazar Imam - Toronto, Canada
Ya Ali Madad,
My name is Abdul Rehman Tharoo, from Orlando, Florida.
Today, I feel deeply humbled and honored to share a few reflections from the blessed Noorani Didar held in Toronto, Canada, on March 30th, 2026.
I had the profound privilege of accompanying my nephew, Muneer Ali Madhani, who resides at Sunbeam Lodge in Kitchener, Ontario.
Muneer Ali has cerebral palsy since birth and has a history of seizures. This Didar was not only important, it was deeply meaningful for his wellbeing and spiritual uplift meant.
Muneer Ali and myself arrived at the Enercare Centre at approximately 2:45 PM and were guided to the High Medical Needs area.
This area accommodated 16 murids on beds and wheelchairs who required special care.
This room was located near the main entrance, beside the red-carpet pathway, and separated by white curtains to ensure comfort and privacy. We followed the ceremony on a 36 inches monitor.
At around 4:15 PM, Mowlana Hazar Imam entered the main hall. At that very moment, an overwhelming sense of peace and Noor filled the entire space. The recitation of Salawat echoed beautifully across the hall, where nearly 20,000 murids had gathered. Even though we were behind the curtains, we felt spiritually present, connected in every heartbeat.
When Mowlan Haraz Imam ascended the stage, the curtains were lifted, and the Didar ceremony began. The stage was far, so we continued to watch on the monitor as Mowla accepted Mehmanis and blessed the Jamat with His Holy Farmans.
We held hope in our hearts that Mowla would pass by us and we will have an opportunity get a closer glimpse at the Noor of Mowla.
As Mowla descended from the stage, the curtains were lowered again. In that moment a deep feeling of disappointment filled the room. We watched on the monitor, Mowla departing the hall.
I held Muneer Ali close and softly whispered, Mawla Bapa forgot us. Ali responded, calling out, “ Mawla Bapa”
At that very sacred moment, Mowla entered the room from the side entrance. Instantly, the entire space was overwhelmed by the radiance of his Noor, so powerful, so pure. It felt as though the room itself had dissolved into divine light.
While jamat in the hall began reciting Du’a and Giryazari Tasbih with deep devotion. Every heart trembling, every soul immersed in a state of spiritual surrender.
Just imagine, reciting Du’a with Noor of Mowla physically present before you. His blessed gaze upon you, His mercy flowing like a shower of grace upon your soul. In that moment, nothing remain except the profound connection between the Mureed and the Murshid.
There were two rows of eight beds. We were in the front row. Mowla began from the back, visiting each Mureed individually, blessing each one with Noorani Didar. On one bed, Mowla leaned forward gently to bless the murid, The murid embraced Mowla tight In her arms. It was a moment that touched every heart.
Muneer Ali was second to last in the row. To our right was a Mureed who was brought in from hospice care. As Mowla approached, He noticed that Mureed and with deep compassion, Mowla went directly to him first, before returning to continue.
The moment of intezari dissolved into reality. As Mowlana Hazar Imam stood before us, time itself seemed to pause. My heart trembled, I was overwhelmed, tears flowing endlessly, my lips moving in silent prayers. In that sacred presence. I lost all sense of words. The magnitude of blessings unfolding before me.
Mowla with his hand on my shoulder, enquired about Muneer Ali and his wellbeing. I shared that Ali has had cerebral palsy since birth and that his mother—my sister Malika, raised him as a single parent. She has been in Mowla’s Huzoor since 2020.
I mentioned that I am Ali’s uncle from Florida, and that I visit him regularly.
Mowla then looked at Ali and said, “You have a good uncle.”
Mowla gently kissed Ali on his left cheek and Ali responded with a beautiful, joyful laugh.
Mowla then turned to me and said, “You are a good person. Keep on the good work. You are blessed”
At that moment, I could no longer stand on my feet. I fell to my knees, holding onto Mowla’s feet.
Mowla immediately lifted me up, held me close to His chest, and said, “Be strong. You are doing good.”
Mowla then asked me “Do you need anything”Through tears, I could not respond.
Mowla asked again, “Do you need help?"
And all I could say was… “Ameen.”
Mowla then called President Ameeraly Kassam Lakha and instructed him to put Muneer Ali in Generations.
With tears flowing, my hand on Ali’s head, I asked for forgiveness for any shortcomings, and prayed for blessings for Muneer Ali, his loved ones, our family, and kul Ruhanis.
Mowlana Hazar Imam blessed us with “Kanavadan” and reassured us by saying, “Ruhanis are in a good place.”
Before leaving, Mowla once again turned to Ali and said, “You have a great uncle.”
For Ali and me, this moment was beyond anything words can describe. Despite Muneer Ali's physical challenges, his joy, his peace, his connection, went far beyond any limitation.
Muneer Ali's face radiated نور… calm and complete contentment.
This blessed Didar brought immense strength, peace, and reassurance, not only to Muneer Ali, but to me as well. It was a powerful reminder of Mowla’s infinite compassion, care, and boundless grace, especially for those in need.
“Knowing Malika - (may her soul rest in eternal peace) her unwavering faith and complete trust in Mowla were nothing short of extraordinary. Her devotion was pure, deep, and filled with love beyond words. It is through that sincere faith that Ali was drawn so close to Mowla.
The moment when Mowla kissed Ali was not just a blessings, felt like a sacred and deeply moving sign of grace. In that moment, it was as if Malika’s prayers were being answered, her heart quietly pleading with Mowla to always watch over Muneer Ali, to protect him, guide him, and hold him in His eternal care.
It was a moment filled with love, faith, and divine connection, one that will forever remain etched in our hearts.”
We remain deeply grateful for this opportunity, which will continue to inspire our faith for years to come.
A murid could not have wished for anything more.
Shukar Mowla....
May the blessings of this sacred Didar be bestowed upon each and every one of you, and upon your beloved families. May its Noor bring peace to your hearts, strength to your faith and endless barakah into your lives. Ameen