AWARD RECIPIENTS AT QUEEN'S PARK, TORONTO

Mr.  Haroon Siddiqui, Editorial Page Editor Emeritus of the Toronto Star, was the award recipient in January 2001, at Eid-ul-Fitr Celebrations at Queen's Park, Toronto.  He was recognized for his “Outstanding work on National and International matters and courageous stand on Islamic issues”. 

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The Toronto Star, the largest daily newspaper in Canada, was the recipient of the Fitr Award for its “Fair and balanced reporting on National and International issues, and for its vigilance against racism, for its constant advocacy of Fairness & Equality, and for being the real voice for all Canadians”.  Publisher, John A. Honderich received the award on behalf of the paper. 

His Excellency, Dr. Mohammad A. Mousavi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was the Keynote Speaker. 

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Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, the Chief Justice of Ontario, was the Keynote Speaker and Award Recipient at the sixth annual celebration on December 13, 2002,.  He was recognized for his: "Distinguished career in Public Service with exceptional dedication to Justice and Equality for all Canadians, his courageous stand on Human Rights issues, and his understanding and friendship for Muslims, particularly Canadian Muslims". 

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Ms. Alexa McDonough, Member of Parliament and former Leader of the New Democratic Party, was recognized for her “distinguished career as a leader, who stood tall with an unflinching moral persuasion against oppression, war and prejudice and her passionate pursuit for justice and equal dignity for all humans” at the 7th annual celebrations on December 3, 2003.  She was also the Keynote Speaker.

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Honourable William G. Davis, P.C.,C.C.,Q.C.,former Premier of Ontario, was recognized at the 8^th annual Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at Queen’s Park on November 19, 2004.  

The inscription on the plaque read: “IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AND PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, ESPECIALLY AS THE PREMIER FOR FIFTEEN YEARS, WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE, AND ALSO FOR THE MAJOR ROLE YOU PLAYED IN THE PATRIATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE ENTRENCHMENT OF THE CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, THE MOST SACRED DOCUMENT OF OUR LAND”.   He was also the Keynote Speaker.

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Honourable Senator Vivienne Poy, also the Chancellor of the University of Toronto, was the Keynote Speaker and award recipient at the 9th Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations on December 9, 2005.  The Association paid tribute to her for her "OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENTS AS A BUSINESS WOMAN, SENATOR AND CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, HER WORK AS AN ADVOCATE FOR VISIBLE MINORITIES AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, AND FOR PROMOTING GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF ASIAN CANADIAN CONTRIBUTIONS  ACROSS CANADA DURING ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH IN MAY”.

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THE PROVINCE & PEOPLE OF ONTARIO were honoured at the Eid-ul-Fitr Celebrations November 17, 2006  "TO RECOGNIZE THE PROVINCE FOR MAKING ONTARIO THE MOST DIVERSE, MULTICULTURAL AND TOLERANT SOCIETY, WELCOMING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD, TO COME HERE AND LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY".

Plaques and polar bear sculptures by Keith Sandulak were presented to:

THE HONOURABLE DALTON J. P. MCGUINTy, PREMIER OF ONTARIO,

THE HONOURABLE JOHN TORY, LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION

THE HONOURABLE HOWARD HAMPTON, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

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11TH ANNUAL EID-UL-FITR CELEBRATIONS - OCTOBER 19, 2007

Dr. Mahmoud El-Saeed, Ambassador of Egypt, was the Keynote Speaker and Award Recipient.  He was honoured for his "distinguished diplomatic career and outstanding contributions in making Islam and Muslims better understood by Canadians". 

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12TH ANNUAL EID-UL-ADHA CELEBRATIONS - DECEMBER 12, 2008

The Honourable Dennis O’Connor, Associate Chief Justice Of Ontario, was the Keynote Speaker and the Award Recipient for this year.  The plaque presented to him had the following inscription:

"In recognition of your distinguished career as a Leading Counsel, and Eminent Academic, Jurist, Commissioner of Public Inquiries, serving the people of the Province of Ontario and Canada with Wisdom, Compassion, Fairness and Courage".

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13TH ANNUAL EID-UL-ADHA CELEBRATIONS - DECEMBER 4, 2009

Mr. Don Drummond, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for TD Bank Financial Group, was the Keynote Speaker and Award Recipient.  He was recognized for his "distinguished career and outstanding contribution to public policy in Canada" .

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14TH ANNUAL EID-UL-ADHA CELEBRATIONS - NOVEMBER 26, 2010

There were two award recipients at this year's celebrations.  His Excellency Farid Shafiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, was recognized for his "distinguished career and outstanding service as a Counsellor, Charge d'Affaires and Ambassador to Canada and for his passion to serve his country".

Chief Armand La Barge of York Regional Police was recognized for his "distinguished career, outreach work and outstanding public service as a police officer for 37 years in York Region".

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15TH ANNUAL EID-UL-FITR CELEBRATIONS AT QUEEN'S PARK ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

His Excellency Rafet Akgünay, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey was recognized for his "DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS AMBASSADOR TO CANADA AND YOUR PASSION TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY."

His Excellency was also the Keynote speaker.  His complete speech can be read in the section for speeches.  

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16TH ANNUAL EID-UL-FITR CELEBRATIONS - QUEEN'S PARK  SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

The celebrations were held in the Main Legislative Building, Room 230, 2nd Floor.  This time, instead of a dinner, it was a luncheon from 11:30 A.M. till 1:30 P.M.  Several Members of Provincial Parliament attended.  as the event was held during the lunch break for the House.  Premier Dalton McGuinty was represented by Hon. Kathleen Wynne who brought greetings from the Ontario Liberal Party, Hon. Tim Hudak, Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party ( Official Opposition) and Hon. Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Ontario New Democrats brought greetings from their parties.

As of 2012, since we started having luncheons, we stopped giving awards due to time constraints