News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER ATTENDS OPENING OF BAITUN NUR AHMADIYYA MUSLIM MOSQUE

July 5, 2008
Calgary, Alberta

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in the unveiling of Canada's largest mosque complex. The spectacular 48,000-square-foot Baitun Nur mosque was inaugurated by the head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community, His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Prime Minister Harper said the mosque symbolized how the relatively small Canadian Ahmadiyya community, most of whom are recent immigrants from Central and South Asia, has prospered and flourished in Canada's pluralistic society. "Ahmadis are renowned for their devotion to peace, universal brotherhood and submission to the will of God – the core principles of true Islam," said Prime Minister Harper. "They are also renowned for working together to serve the greater good through social, health and education initiatives, as well as mosque projects like this one. And wherever they live in the world, Ahmadis are renowned for participating in the larger community and peacefully co-existing with people of all faiths, languages and cultures."

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to His Holiness the Kalipha as a champion of peace and religious freedom. "We especially applaud the Kalipha for denouncing those who pervert faith by claiming it as a justification for violence," Prime Minister Harper said, noting that many Ahmadis who endured persecution in their homelands have found religious freedom in Canada.

"Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians will see the moderate, benevolent face of Islam in this mosque and the people who worship here," the Prime Minister said. "They will see your love for Canada and your patriotism, and they will see that just as Ahmadis have embraced Canada, Canada has embraced you."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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