Calgary Jama’at Celebrates Black History Month at Baitun Nur Mosque
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at Calgary hosted its first Black History Month (BHM) program on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Baitun Nur Mosque, with the theme “Hidden Histories and Bold Futures.” It was meant to listen, celebrate, and honour the contributions of the Black community to Calgary and Canada at large. There were participants from various Black communities, including Jama’at members, the respected local Amir sahib, and the Hon. Mikey Amery, Minister of Justice, Alberta.
Naeem Chaudhry sahib, Chair of the BHM Planning Committee, welcomed participants to the program after a recitation from the Holy Qur’an with translation, and gave a brief introduction to the Jama’at. He reiterated that February is Black History Month in Canada, with programs organized throughout the month to listen, honour, and celebrate the contributions of the Black community. Naeem Chaudhry sahib introduced the first-ever Black History Month celebration at the Baitun Nur mosque and said he is extremely happy and hopes to increase participation in future programs to match other high-profile programs organized at the Baitun Nur mosque.
The first guest speaker was Angelo R. Kiri, former pastor and peace officer with the Government of Alberta. He highlighted the suffering and endurance of early Black people in Canada, mentioning pioneers like Viola Desmond, whose struggles and advocacy paved the way for the liberties and freedoms the Black community enjoys today. He added his own challenges as a Black man when he landed in Nova Scotia and said the sacrifices of the early pioneers should never be forgotten or buried in history.
The Honourable Mickey Amery – Minister of Justice and MLA for Calgary‑Cross commended Jama’at for providing the platform to honour the black community. He thanked the Black community for their involvement and advocacy, which have made Calgary a truly multicultural and welcoming city, especially for Black people. He mentioned Stanley Law, based in Calgary Northeast, which partners with Legal Aid Alberta and Calgary Legal Guidance to provide subsidized and pro bono legal services to the Black community.
Dr. Uzo Aghaegbuna, Managing Attorney at Stanley Law, highlighted his experience upon arriving in Calgary and said the lack of dedicated legal and advocacy services for Black people led him to open the doors of Stanley Law to the Black community. The team at Stanley Law provide legal services and support to the black community and has helped and trained many black legal students. Babs Fadahunsi, a social worker, community leader and founder of Soft Landing Canada – a nonprofit, dedicated to helping new immigrants settle in Canada, shared his personal challenges when he arrived in Canada. It was difficult for him to secure accommodation, schooling, and basic necessities, which led him to found the nonprofit to support new immigrants. His team has helped over 50 families settle in Canada since its inception. Dr. Charles Odame‑Ankrah – an award-winning scientist, inventor, and community leader dedicated to advancing equity for African and Black communities, shared similar sentiments to the previous speakers and applauded Jama’at for providing such an excellent platform to listen, honor and celebrate the black community.
The keynote address and concluding remarks were delivered by Abdul Ghaniyu Omokanye sahib – President Pan African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (PAAMA) Canada. He conveyed to the African delegation the message of Beloved Huzoor (aa) that the third world war has already started and that Africa may be saved if there are no vested Western interests. Beloved Huzoor (aa) said that Africans may have the opportunity to lead the world, but that is contingent on honesty, hard work, and submission to Allah. The President acknowledged the corrupt leadership in many African countries but emphasized Africans in diaspora can mobilize and go back home to challenge corrupt leadership, bad governance and the status quo, hence the need to have such a gathering to get to know each other and lay the framework to be able to support our individual nations and change the narrative for Africa when the opportunity arrives. He concluded by expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah, the respected local Amir of Calgary, the BHM organizing team, and guests and members who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the program. The program concluded with dinner and socialization.
