Recognition of at least three community members by the Canadian federal government was a welcome relief for Ottawa Muslims in the post 9/11 period.

On Tuesday Jan 28^th, at a ceremony on Parliament Hill, a familiar ISNA Convention panelist, was one of 32 outstanding Canadians awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for distinguished services to Canada and their community.

The award was presented by Deputy Canadian Prime Minister and Finance Minister John Manley to former Ottawa Muslim Association (OMA) President Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan, and other recipients, in the presence of MP Mac Herb, MPP Richard Patten, and former Ottawa City Mayor Jim Watson.

Azhar Ali Khan was cited for his 25 years of service with the Ottawa Citizen, and his efforts to build bridges between Muslims and Canadians of other faiths.

Host MP Mac Harb said, "They deserve admiration and love from fellow Canadians for their dedication and love for Canadian citizens, and for making Canada such a great country."

The occasion was worthy of celebration, said Mr. Manley.

"They are willing to pick up responsibility to get the job done for the community," he said, adding, "They make personal investment of time from family to make a better community."

After retiring from the Ottawa Citizen, Ali Khan served as Director of Multiculturalism for the Citizens’ Forum on Canada’s Future, or the Spicer Commission, and he is now a commissioner with the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board.

As OMA President, Br Ali Khan led the organization in the Tent of Meeting of the Abrahamic faith, and initiated, with the University of Ottawa, evening lectures---in its extension courses program---on "Excursions into Islam."

The OMA was very dynamic at that time, with a Think Tank committee of Muslim professionals and scholars, an active youth program, regular publication of the OMA’s the Canadian Muslim magazine, a directory of Ottawa Muslims, and a host of other activities in different fields by dozens of volunteers.

Ali Khan also wrote many articles on Islam and participated in public and television programs on Islam and the Muslim countries. At the Department of Canadian Heritage he headed the Interfaith Working Group which sought to bring Canadians of different faiths together for better understanding.

The other two recipients, awarded at a different ceremony, are: Mr. Madat Kara  a Prudential Real Estate agent, from the Ismaili Community, and volunteer member of the "Meals on Wheels" program aiding the sick and the aged; and Ms. Zybina Mohammed - from the Guyana-Carribbean Muslim Association and President of the Fallingbrook residential community association.

At a time when North American Muslims are still under the September 11 cloud such a recognition is a helpful sign for the future of Muslims in their country of Canada. It would, hopefully, inspire other Muslims to do the same.