Naheed Nenshi, the esteemed former mayor of Calgary, is paving his way to lead Alberta’s New Democratic Party (NDP) in the Party’s June 2024 Elections. To have a say in this crucial decision, it’s essential that you register as an NDP party member before Monday, April 22. This simple step, which costs only $10.00, will enable you to cast your vote in the June elections. Please visit Nenshi.ca to become an NDP member.
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Naheed Nenshi – A Personal Reflection
One morning last summer, I joined hundreds of Ismaili Muslims to celebrate the 66th anniversary of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, as the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community with chai, sherbet and delicious snacks at a Calgary Jamatkhana’s social hall. Considering my compromised immune system, I sat in an area with only a few people around me. I glanced to my left multiple times and asked myself: “Can it be? Is the guy next to me Naheed Nenshi?” I could not hold back and told him. “You look like Naheed Nenshi.” And he answered, “You are right, I am.”
Seated next to him was his beloved mother. I remembered how, a few years earlier, I would take my mum to the Ismaili Centre and Jamatkhana in Vancouver and, on celebratory occasions, take her to the social hall upstairs to enjoy Ismaili delicacies and chat with community members. Naheed’s care, love and warmth for his mum touched me on this significant day in Ismaili history. In the few minutes I had with him, I dared to suggest that he should, one day, seek to lead a Federal Party. His brief response told me that the idea wasn’t exactly in his mind!
On two earlier occasions in Ontario, when Nenshi was still Mayor of Calgary, I briefly introduced myself to him with a handshake: first at the Aga Khan Museum opening in Toronto in September 2014 and three years later at the Global Centre of Pluralism’s First Award Ceremony at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building in Ottawa in November 2017. At the first meeting in Toronto, I expressed my interest in interviewing him one day, and he welcomed the idea. However, I have yet to approach him and request an interview.
Since relocating to Alberta two years ago, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of Naheed Nenshi’s leadership as Calgary’s mayor between 2010 and 2021. As the first Muslim mayor of a major North American city, Nenshi garnered widespread respect and admiration from both Calgarians and residents of the Bow Valley for his significant achievements and profound connection with the people. Despite his decision not to seek re-election for a fourth term, his legacy remains robust, and his leadership skills are undeniable.
Naheed Nenshi’s announcement on March 11, 2024, to stand for the election to become the new leader of Alberta’s New Democratic Party (NDP) is a significant development. His decision has sparked a wave of anticipation across the province. Nenshi is up against Kathleen Ganley, Sarah Hoffman, Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse and Gil McGowan to replace Rachel Notley as Alberta’s NDP leader. Notley, who led the party for a decade and served as the province’s premier from 2015 to 2019, announced in January 2024, eight months after her party lost the provincial elections to the United Conservative Party, that she would be stepping down as the leader of the NDP. She will continue to lead the party until after the June elections, when her successor will be decided.
It is noteworthy that even before Nenshi had declared his interest, a Pollara poll revealed that “One in three (33%) Albertans who say they are likely to buy an NDP membership would be “excited” if Nenshi became the next NDP leader, significantly higher than the 10-to-14% who feel that way about the three declared candidates” [at the time]. The report further highlights that “Feelings towards Nenshi are largely positive province-wide, with about twice as many Albertans feeling positive (41%) rather than negative (22%) at the prospect of him leading the NDP.” This positive sentiment underscores the potential impact of Nenshi’s leadership. His leadership has always been driven by strong values and ethics of building community, integrity and honesty and is founded on human justice and cosmopolitanism.
Since entering the race, Nenshi has graciously praised all the other candidates. Still, he feels he would be the best person to lead the NDP and defeat Premier Danielle Smith in the next provincial election in 2017.
Whether you decide to vote for Naheed Neshi or any other candidate in the June 2024 election, it is crucial that you first become an NDP party member by April 22, 2024. This is the date of the membership deadline for voting eligibility. Your participation is vital in shaping the future of the party. Please click on Nenshi.ca to become a member. As Nenshi urges in his video below, you do not need to pay more than $10.00 at this time, as options are available to submit to membership at higher and more significant amounts.
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Naheed Nenshi’s Important Message to the Ismaili Community
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Naheed Nenshi: Tweets
Date posted: April 19, 2024.
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