On December 8, 2024, the Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani Cultural and Social Association opened its Montreal branch with a vibrant inauguration attended by Afghan citizens from the city.
The Central and Public Address of the Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani Cultural and Social Association was officially established and inaugurated on November 5, 2023, in Toronto, Canada, by a group of Afghanistan’s cultural and social personalities residing in Canada and other countries.
The enthusiasm and support shown by the Afghan citizens living in Canadian cities for the establishment and inauguration of the association was unprecedented, which surprised and amazed the leadership members of the association. More than two thousand people, both men and women, participated in the opening ceremony of the association’s central address.
A few months earlier, Afghan citizens residing in Calgary had requested the association’s leadership to open a representative office in the city. After review, the leadership allowed the members to establish and begin operations of the association’s branch in Calgary. Fortunately, the members successfully inaugurated the office in Calgary, and the report of the event was published on the association’s website and Facebook page.
Following the establishment of the Calgary branch, Afghan citizens residing in Montreal approached the leadership of the association with a request to open a branch in their city. After consulting with members and Afghan citizens in Montreal, it was decided to open the association’s branch there as well. On December 8, 2024, the Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani Cultural and Social Association was inaugurated in Montreal with a vibrant participation from Afghan citizens living in the city.
Since its activities over the past year, the association has successfully established itself as a trusted and reputable organization. Consequently, the opening ceremony of the Montreal branch was attended by Afghan cultural, social, academic, and political personalities from across Canada. Notably, Dr. Malik Satez, an international relations and human rights researcher, traveled from Europe to attend the event.
The event in Montreal was widely attended by Afghan citizens from across Canada, including key political, cultural, social, and academic figures. Some notable attendees included Mr. Hassan Soroosh, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada, Dr. Faramarz Tamanna, Mr. Sharif Ghalib, Dr. Mohammad Dawood Qiyoumi, Mr. Sayed Ilham Nadri, and many others. The event was skillfully moderated by Mr. Abdul Hamid Adil and Ms. Manizhe Heydari. The opening ceremony began with a recitation of verses from the Qur’an by Qari Karim Bakhsh Rizaei. A report on the association’s activities and a documentary about the life of Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani were presented.
The speeches began with Mr. Hamidullah Ahmadi, the head of the Montreal branch, who emphasized the necessity of the association’s establishment and the management of the Afghanistan’s community’s human resources in the city. He also stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Mr. Hassan Soroosh, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Canada, discussed tolerance, peace, and pluralism, emphasizing that these values are universal and aligned with the goals of the association. He also called on the leadership of the association to work on fostering relationships between the Afghan diaspora community and the host Canadian society.
Dr. Malik Satez, an international relations and human rights researcher from Europe, began his speech with a quote from the famous French author Victor Hugo, who advocated for respect for cultural, social, and religious pluralism. Dr. Satez linked Hugo’s values to the importance of such principles for the people of Afghanistan and highlighted the role of social institutions in both national and international contexts. He praised the association for being a specialized organization capable of benefiting the Afghan diaspora in Canada and other countries.
Dr. Faramarz Tamanna, a politician and university professor, spoke about the role of associations in promoting social and national unity. He shared a personal memory from his meeting with the late Hajji Sayed Mansoor Nadri, a leader of Afghanistan’s Ismailis, who emphasized three core values for Afghanistan: development, social justice, and rationality. Dr. Tamanna noted that these values are also reflected in the works of Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani and that the association provides a platform for Afghan diaspora communities to connect.
Dr. Mohammad Dawood Qiyoumi, a researcher at Laurentian University, discussed the importance of the association in preserving Afghanistan’s cultural identity and heritage. He urged the leadership to continue emphasizing solidarity among Afghan migrants in Canada and suggested expanding the association’s focus beyond the Ismaili community to include all people of Afghanistan. He also called for fostering cultural diplomacy and educational opportunities, especially language learning for the younger generation.
Mr. Sharif Ghalib, president of the Afghanistan-Canada Advisory Council, spoke about the role of empathy in Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani’s works. He suggested that the culture of empathy, which is somewhat forgotten in Afghanistan’s society, could be revived by promoting Kiani’s works. Mr. Qambar Ali Zare, a former professor at Hakim Nasir Khusrow University in Baghlan, spoke about the association’s role in assisting newly arrived Afghans in Canada. He emphasized the importance of providing cultural, social, and legal support to newcomers.
The event also featured two important cultural milestones: the unveiling of the association’s literary and cultural award statue and the release of the association’s quarterly publication, “Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani Quarterly.” These cultural and literary events were well received by the attendees. Salik Sultani, one of the association’s language learners, recited poetry that was warmly appreciated by the guests. The event also featured performances by local artists, including traditional Afghanistan music and dance, which brought the atmosphere of Afghanistan to the gathering.
In recognition of the valuable contributions of three members, Khushnood Nabizada, Sadiq Danish, and Ahmad Naveed Sufi Zada, the association presented certificates of appreciation. The event concluded with a prayer by Qari Muniruddin Lashkari, followed by group photographs with the guests and members of the association, and a reception for the attendees.
The Sayed Nadir Shah Al-Hussaini Kayani Cultural and Social Association’s inauguration and the opening of its branches in Calgary and Montreal mark significant milestones for the Afghanistan’s community in Canada. The association has successfully created a platform for fostering unity, preserving cultural heritage, and strengthening ties between the Afghan diaspora and the host society. The participation of prominent Afghan figures and the meaningful discussions during the event reflect the association’s growing role as a vital institution for the Afghanistan’s community in Canada and beyond.
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