Since 2008, Jama’at-e-Ahmadiyya Calgary has sent teams of dedicated volunteers each year to the northern towns of Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Their purpose is to convey the peaceful message of Islam, to foster interfaith understanding, and to build enduring friendships with community leaders, educators and Indigenous peoples. This initiative, known as the North Tabligh Tour, was carried out once again from September 18–22, 2026.
A team of 26 members undertook the journey, guided by the prophecy made to the Promised Messiah (as), “I shall carry your message to the ends of the earth.”[1] They set out with prayers, humility and a spirit of sacrifice, covering more than 4,000 kilometres over five days with a single objective, to win the hearts of people in remote communities and to introduce them to a Beneficent and Merciful God.
Roadside sign at the 60th Parallel welcoming travellers to the Northwest Territories The 60th Parallel marks the gateway to the Northwest Territories, the remote northern frontier of Canada.
This year, conferences were hosted across five northern communities, Grande Prairie, AB; Peace River, AB; Dawson Creek, BC; Hay River, NT; and Yellowknife, NT.
In Dawson Creek, Peace River and Yellowknife, the programmes focused on themes chosen by local leaders to address the most pressing issues in the region. Placing challenges such as homelessness, addiction, climate disasters and economic uncertainty at the heart of the dialogue drew an unprecedented response. Mayors, Indigenous chiefs, clergy, educators and elders actively shaped the events, drawing large attendance from all backgrounds. The message of service and shared responsibility resonated deeply.
Meanwhile, the Grande Prairie conference, titled “Building a Caring Society: Perspectives on Love, Empathy and Community,” explored these same societal concerns through the lens of compassion. In alignment with the motto of the Jama’at, “Love for All, Hatred for None,” the event brought together a diverse panel of presenters from both faith-based and secular backgrounds to foster unity.
Laying the Groundwork
In the weeks preceding the tour, a series of meetings and engagements prepared the ground, and each yielded encouraging results.
City Council, Grande Prairie, AB. On Monday, September 14, the Jama’at was invited to address the Grande Prairie City Council. A two-member delegation introduced the Voices for Peace Conference and outlined the continuing efforts of the Jama’at to promote peace, harmony and social cohesion. During the same visit, 93.1 FM Radio aired an interview with the organisers, providing a valuable opportunity to share the message of Islam and the peace-building initiatives of the Jama’at with the wider public.
Deputy Mayor Garett Cochrane, Yellowknife, NT. The team met virtually with Deputy Mayor Cochrane, a longtime friend and supporter of the initiative, who agreed to moderate the Yellowknife conference this year. He engaged thoughtfully with the programme and the composition of the panel, and offered valuable suggestions for extending the reach of the event to a broader and more diverse audience.
Mayor Shelley Shannon, Peace River, AB. In a cordial virtual meeting, Mayor Shannon expressed strong appreciation for the initiative, describing it as both a personal passion and a much-needed conversation for her community. She was especially enthusiastic about the theme this year, affirming that it speaks directly to the needs of the time.
Mayor Kandis Jameson, Hay River, NT. Organisers briefed Mayor Jameson on “Lessons from the Land,” an event planned for September 21, 2026, at the Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the K’atl’odeeche First Nation (KFN) Reserve, in association with Ahmadiyya Muslim School (AMS) Calgary. She welcomed both the concept and the theme, assured the full support of her office, and committed to attending in person. She also thanked the Jama’at for organising events of such benefit to the region.
Mayor Kandis Jameson of Hay River standing with two organisers Mayor Kandis Jameson of Hay River, NT, with the organisers.
Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe, Behchokǫ̀, NT. A virtual meeting was held with Chief Rabesca Zoe of Behchokǫ̀, the largest Tłı̨chǫ Dene community in the Northwest Territories. She received the conference and its mission of gathering diverse community voices in dialogue, understanding and shared responsibility with warmth. The conversation extended to shared values and the prospect of future collaboration, marking a meaningful step towards deepening the relationship of the Jama’at with the Indigenous leadership of the Northwest Territories.
Yellowknife Catholic Schools. Through the personal introduction of His Excellency Bishop Jon Hansen of the Diocese of Mackenzie–Fort Smith, a testament to the trust built with the Diocese over the years, the team held a series of meetings with Mr. Adam Murray, Superintendent of Yellowknife Catholic Schools, and his staff to explore how teachers and students might take part in, and benefit from, the initiative.
The Journey Begins
The team assembled at Baitun Nur Mosque, Calgary, on the afternoon of Friday, September 18, 2026. After the Asr prayer, and with silent prayers, they departed for Edmonton, where the local Jama’at hosted them warmly overnight. The following morning, after Fajr, the team continued towards Valleyview, where it was divided into three groups bound for Grande Prairie, AB; Peace River, AB; and Dawson Creek, BC. Simultaneous programmes were held in all three towns on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Members of the tour team gathered outside Baitul Hadi Mosque in Edmonton The team ready to leave Baitul Hadi Mosque, Edmonton, after the Fajr prayer.
Grande Prairie, Alberta
The 11th annual Voices for Peace Conference took place at Northwestern Polytechnic, a leading seat of learning in Northern Alberta. Dr. Duff Crerar, a longtime friend of the Jama’at, moderated the programme. Respected community leaders and faculty members spoke from Indigenous, Bahá’í and secular perspectives. Maulana Umair Khan Sahib presented the Islamic viewpoint with clarity and depth, holding the attention of the audience throughout. The event was publicised through local media and was live-streamed. Attendees came from all walks of life.
Dawson Creek, British Columbia
The 8th annual Voices for Peace Conference took place at Northern Lights College, Dawson Creek, BC. Veteran independent journalist Rob Brown, a longtime supporter of the initiative, moderated the event. The conference featured diverse interfaith insights, including an Islamic perspective from Maulana Musawwar Bajwa Sahib and a Christian perspective from Rev. Marilyn Carroll of the United Church. Local print and digital media outlets covered the event, publishing feature articles and interviews with the organisers.
Organisers and presenters gathered together at the Dawson Creek conference Organisers and presenters at the Dawson Creek, BC, conference.
Peace River, Alberta
The 10th annual Voices for Peace Conference was held from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., with Mayor Shelley Shannon moderating. Peace River has long been regarded as challenging ground, and at times the difficulty of securing presenters and an audience discouraged some organisers. By the grace of Allah, this year brought a remarkable change.
The Catholic community, the predominant denomination in the area, was represented by Father Cornelio Esguerra of Our Lady of Peace Parish, and Mayor Stacy Messner of neighbouring Grimshaw, AB, also attended and spoke. Maulana Zahir Ahmad Sahib presented the Islamic perspective. The audience included prominent opinion makers of the community, among them the head of a local non-profit organisation and the Director of the municipal library.
The impact was evident in the days that followed. The mayor has already asked to begin planning for next year, and one of the largest organisations in the town has expressed its wish to take part in the 2027 programme. Ground once thought hard and dry is now showing clear signs of becoming fertile.
Conference audience seated at tables while Maulana Zahir Ahmad Sahib speaks, with the mayors of Peace River and Grimshaw at the head table The mayors of Peace River and Grimshaw at the head table as Maulana Zahir Ahmad Sahib presents the Islamic perspective.
On Saturday evening, the Grande Prairie group and the main Peace River team travelled on to Hay River, where they stayed for the next three nights at the Chief Sunrise Education Centre, which generously opened its doors to host the visiting team.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
On Sunday, September 20, the teams left Hay River after Fajr for the five-hour drive to Yellowknife. There, the 17th annual Voices for Peace Conference was held at the prestigious Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, which hosts the event every year in recognition of its educational and community-building value.
Deputy Mayor Garett Cochrane moderated the event, which featured former CBC broadcaster and respected Elder Paul Andrew, a longtime friend of the Jama’at, as the Guest of Honour. Featured speakers included Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe and Fr. Luca Baraldi, Chancellor of the Diocese of Mackenzie–Fort Smith, while Maulana Umair Khan Sahib presented the Islamic perspective. By the grace of Allah and the prayers of Huzoor-e-Anwar (aba), the event drew extraordinary interest from local dignitaries and residents of all backgrounds. The hall was filled to capacity, with some attendees standing throughout the programme. Representatives from all major local media outlets attended and provided lead coverage. Local community members also volunteered their time to ensure the success of the event before the team returned to Hay River that night.
A full hall in Yellowknife listening to a presentation A capacity audience listens attentively as Maulana Umair Khan Sahib delivers a presentation on Islamic teachings.
Hay River: “Lessons from the Land”
Monday, September 21, 2026, was a school day at the Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the KFN Reserve, and its highlight was a community barbecue for the whole school and local residents.
That morning, former Chief April Martel led the team on a tour of the reserve, highlighting its historic landmarks and guiding the delegation through Sandy Creek, the wilderness campsite of the school on KFN land. The visitors listened intently, immersed in the rich Indigenous history of the community.
Former Chief April Martel with members of the delegation on KFN land Former Chief April Martel leads the delegation on a tour of the historic landmarks of KFN and the Sandy Creek wilderness campsite.
That afternoon, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., AMS Calgary and the Chief Sunrise Education Centre formally joined in an online session titled “Lessons from the Land: Indigenous Wisdom, Environmental Resilience, and Our Shared Future.”
The programme opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran relayed live from Calgary. Principal Adila Munir Sahiba of AMS Calgary then spoke on Islamic teachings on preserving the environment and natural resources, followed by presentations on science and environmental insight and a session on stewardship as a shared responsibility. The event connected students and families of both school communities, allowing them to learn from the experiences of each other. Several local Indigenous elders and Mayor Kandis Jameson of Hay River graced the occasion. It marked the formal beginning of a long-planned collaboration between the two sister schools.
The return journey began on Tuesday morning, and the team reached Calgary safely that night.
Media Attention
The tour drew sustained and often unprecedented attention from the press throughout its course, in print, broadcast and online media across Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
Coverage began even before the team departed. EverythingGP reported on the presentation of the Jama’at to the Grande Prairie City Council, and ran a notice of the conference on the eve of the event. River Country FM announced the Peace River programme, and CJDC TV in Dawson Creek highlighted the return of Voices for Peace and its focus on homelessness, addiction and climate challenges. In Yellowknife, Cabin Radio previewed the conference in an article that quoted organiser Basheer Islam Sahib on bringing “a message of hope and togetherness” and on the need for “justice and fairness for all” in confronting these crises.
Attention continued during the conferences themselves. As noted above, representatives of all major local media attended the Yellowknife conference and gave it lead coverage. CBC North also reported on reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and newcomers in connection with the event, while CKLB Radio carried interviews with Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe of Behchokǫ̀ and with a local lawyer who spoke on the housing crisis. The Voices for Peace Conference Facebook page, which also live-streamed the Grande Prairie programme, gave the wider community a means of following the tour. Through this coverage, the message of peace, interfaith respect and shared responsibility was carried well beyond the rooms in which it was delivered.
Acknowledgements
All praise belongs to Allah, by whose immense blessings this tour was a success. The prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba), the personal attention and continuous guidance of respected local Amir Sahib, and the selfless efforts of a large number of volunteers were a constant source of strength throughout. May Allah accept these humble efforts, grant them lasting results, open further avenues for the Jama’at and enable us to serve His cause with humility, sincerity and steadfastness. Ameen.
References
- Tadhkirah, English translation (2019), p. 407.
