The head of the world’s Ahmadiyya Muslims will visit Saskatchewan for the first time, spending a day in Saskatoon before inaugurating Regina’s first purpose-built mosque.
The Caliph, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, arrived Monday evening in Saskatoon, where he was greeted by Ahmadi Muslims and public officials. Among Ahmadiyya Muslims, the Caliph is the highest-ranking living member of the sect, after the Prophet Muhammad.
“Whenever his Holiness comes to Canada, his primary objective is to meet with members of his community. Saskatchewan … particularly Saskatoon, has become, believe it or not, a hub for the community, even though we’re headquartered in Toronto,” spokesman Safwan Choudhry said.
In his one-day Saskatoon visit, he is expected to meet with members of the community, local administration of the Ahmadiyya Muslima Jama’ at, Syrian refugees and local politicians.
Choudry said the Caliph spends time meeting with young women, as he’s is a strong advocate for women’s rights and equal freedoms for women.
The visit is a part of his Canadian tour, which included a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month. He also gave a rare interview to CBC National anchor Peter Mansbridge.
Premier Brad Wall and federal Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale are expected to attend a reception alongside him in Regina.
The Caliph’s visit coincides with the inauguration of Regina’s mosque, which will be broadcast worldwide. The province’s largest mosque is scheduled for inauguration in Saskatoon in about a month.
“If that kind of tells you why Saskatchewan’s become so important, is … with a growing community here, members of our community have found Saskatchewan, particularly as a province, Saskatoon, especially, to be good to them,” Choudhry said.
Saskatoon is home to one of the fastest growing Ahmadiyya Muslim communities, Choudhry added, noting a larger celebration is planned for Tuesday in the lead-up to Friday’s Regina inauguration ceremony.
“There’s a lot of jubilation leading up to the big mosque on the Prairie.”
SOURCE: http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/ahmadiyya-caliph-to-meet-with-faithful-syrian-refugees-in-saskatoon-visit
Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Canada, Muslim Television Ahmadiyya, Peace Conference