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”. 

***********************************************      

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. 

***********************************************

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". 

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.

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.

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”.

***********************************************

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

***********************************************     

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".