L'ASSOCIATION DES MUSULMANS PROGRESSITES DU CANADA

ASSOCIATION OF PROGRESSIVE MUSLIMS OF CANADA
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15TH ANNUAL EID-UL-FITR - OCTOBER 7, 2009

 

This year, the Association honoured Mr. Kevin Vickers, Sergeant-at-Arms, House of Commons.  He was recognized for his "long outstanding  service to our country" and for his "efforts to promote bias-free policing and diversity in the workplace".

Mr. Kevin Vickers was presented with a plaque and Keith Sandulak's polar bear sculpture. The citation for Mr. Vickers was done by Mr. Dawson Hovey.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Hon. John McCallum, P.C., M.P., former Chief Economist , Royal Bank of Canada, on the state of the economy - a hot topic not just in Canada but worldwide. 

Mr. Craig Kennedy, Senior Protocol & Visits Analyst, RCMP, performed the National Anthem in English and French. 

Hon. Dan McTeague, P.C., M.P., was the emcee for the evening.  Mr. Charles S. Coffey, O.C., former Executive V.P.- Government & Community Affairs, RBC, introduced Mr. McCallum.   

Several Members of Parliament and many senior personnel from the Diplomatic Corps, including the United States of America attended.  The sit-down dinner (halal) was catered by the Parliament Hill restaurant.

An Islamic art exhibition was sponsored by Mr. Hamid Mohammadi, Cultural Counsellor for the Embassy of Iran.  Two artists were also present.

 

Mr. Kevin Vickers with the executives of the Association of Progressive Muslims when the plaque was presented. Mr. Mobeen Khaja, President APMC presenting the gift to Mr. Vickers

 

The Head Table (L-R):  Hon. Dan McTeague, Anees Khaja, Anne Vickers, Kevin Vickers, Hon. John McCallum, Mobeen Khaja

 

 

 

 A view of the room during the singing of the National Anthem

 

 
Mr. Kevin Vickers at the podium.  He spoke about the importance and need for bias-free policing and diversity in the workplace during his acceptance speech.

 

 Hon. John McCallum delivering the Keynote Address on the state of the economy

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Mr. Craig Kennedy singing the National Anthem . Standing behind him from L-R are: Hon. Dan McTeague, Mrs. Vickers, Mr. Vickers, Mobeen Khaja Chief Armand La Barge saying Grace before dinner.  At the Head Table from R-L: Hon. John McCallum, Mr. Kevin Vickers, Mrs. Vickers, Anees Khaja.
Mr. & Mrs. Vickers. Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, the only Muslim M.P.at this time
Mr. Craig Kennedy and Samira El-Hindi talking to the artist. The artists whose work was displayed at the exhibition 
The artist demonstrating her calligraphy skills. Mrs. Zaina Sovani, President of the  Ottawa Ismaili Council (Centre)
RBC Financial Group has been supporting the Association for many years. (L-R) Peggy Morgan, Advisor Government Relations and Corporate Affairs with some other guests from RBC  Dr. Shakir Sheikh, a guest and Senator Prud'homme who retired this year soon after the event.