On October 28, 2005, the premier of Ontario Hon. Dalton McGuinty accompanied by his brother Hon. David McGuinty. MP, and the premier’s staff attended breaking of the Ramadan fast (Eftar) with the members of the Somali community in Ottawa. The premier was warmly welcomed by the community leaders who were present at the newly opened Assallam mosque in the premier’s riding in the Ottawa South.

Mr. Suleiman Osman Hersi, speaking on behave of Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Mohamed Rashaad thanked the premier for the visit and briefly talked about the history of the mosque and its importance for the community. Mr. Abdulhakim Mohamed Rashaad welcomed the Premier to the podium. The Premier thanked the Somali Community in their contributions to the province and especially praised the efforts of the community leaders in establishing the ASSALAAM mosque in the Ottawa South; and assured the community his support for the mosque.

During his speech, the Premier emphasized the importance of the family value and how his experiences from his large 12 member family helped him govern the 12 million people of Ontario. Hon. David McGuinty also spoke at the event, and pledged that he will continue supporting the community’s future initiatives and the mosque’s as well.

During the Premier and the MP’s visit, they were approached by different community members for various questions about the Province’s social programs such as the small business entrepreneurs and how the government can support them. Also, Daud Aden, a Carleton University student told the Premier and the MP about his concerns of the increasing University tuition fees.

Both the Premier and his brother Hon. David McGuinty.MP are elected from the Ottawa South in which the most Somali Community in Ottawa live.

Finally, the Premier sent condolences to the thousands of the recent catastrophic earthquake victims in Pakistan and India.

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Hiiraan Online