Photographs and Stories of Travel and Special Events in Canada and Around the World
July 8, 2023: The Ismaili Muslim Community’s Stampede Breakfast in Calgary Honours Ismailis, the Aga Khan and Diversity in Canada – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Lt. Governor Salma Lakhani and Thousands Grace the Iconic Event
Alyesha (left) and friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
“Dust off your cowboy boots, break out your cowboy hat and join us with your colleagues, neighbors and friends on Saturday, July 8 [2023] from 8am to 10:30am at Headquarters Jamatkhana for our annual Stampede Breakfast,” announced the latest issue of the Ismaili Al-Akhbar newsletter for the Prairies. Having none of the suggested attire, I dressed for the weather which was going to be sunny and warm.
When I arrived at the junction of McNight Blvd and 12 St in NE Calgary to make a turn for a shuttle service that would take me to the Ismaili Jamatkhana, sirens were blaring and it was not until I got into the shuttle bus that I learnt that it was for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s motorcade which was heading to the Ismaili Stampede breakfast. I boarded the shuttle bus with a group of 8-10 others and we arrived at the Jamatkhana ground just as the National Anthem was about to be sung.
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Thousands attend the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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The singing of the Canadain National Anthem at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Recitation and translation of verses from the Qur’an following the singing of the Canadian National Anthem at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
The anthem was followed by the recitation and translation of verses from the Qur’anic Sura Nur (The Light, Chapter 24.).
In her warm welcoming address, the President of the Aga Khan Council for Prairies, Fauzia Lalani-Khudabux, talked about the settlement of the Ismaili community in Canada and invited the attendees to visit the Jamatkhana as well as a special exhibition exploring the events in East Africa that led to the first mass immigration of over 6,000 Ismaili Muslims to Canada in 1972.
Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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Friends line dance at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Attendees at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast visit an exhibition highlighting Ismaili Muslim migration to Canada during the last 50 years in the social hall of the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Attendees at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast visit an exhibition highlighting Ismaili Muslim migration to Canada during the last 50 years in the social hall of the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Attendees at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast get a tour of the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
It may be noted that the exhibition also explores recent migration stories of other Ismaili newcomers from Syria, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, and beyond. On a personal note, I’m pleased to say that I contributed to this special exhibition by supplying several historical photographs from Ismaili magazines in my archives as well as by obtaining other important historical photos through the family of the Late Zul Lalji, the first President of the Aga Khan Council for Canada. The exhibition concludes on Friday July 14, 2023.
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The President of the Aga Khan Council for the Prairies Fauzia Lalani-Khudabux gives her welcome address at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Political and other dignitaries acknowledge as they are introduced to the crowd at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Alberta Lieutnant Governor Salma Lakhani speaks at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Attendees listen to the speeches delivered by dignitaries at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Laurell Linnell of the Centre for Newcomers speaks at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Joel Cowley, Calgary Stampede CEO, speaks at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
The Ismaili Muslim Stampede Breakfast was truly a high profile event and was attended by Prime Minister Trudeau and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the Lt Governor General of Alberta Salma Lakhani and her husband Zaheer, the Mayor of CalgaryJyoti Gondek, among other Federal and provincial representatives. In addition to President Fauzia, the Ismaili leadership was represented by Dr. Mahmood Eboo, Diplomatic Representative of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat & Aga Khan Development Network to Canada.
[CP24 has published a story on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks at the event that can be read HERE – Ed.]
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Calgary’s Zinat Kanji at the Ismaili Muslim Stampede Breakfast, Calgary, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Via Zinat Kanji.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was busy as his admirers sought out selfies with him at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was busy as his admirers sought out selfies with him at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Family anf friends Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
The 26th edition of the iconic stampede breakfast was my 3rd ever. My first one was 15 years ago when I visited Calgary for a special ISTAR presentation to my daughter, Nurin, during Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan’s Golden Jubilee Year. I then attended the 25th version in July 2022, which coincided with the commemoration of Eid-al Adha – the Festival of Sacrifice.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Kids line up for some fun at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Kids decide about the toys they want to pick at a special station at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A joyous meeting of friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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Attendees at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast visit an exhibition highlighting Ismaili Muslim migration to Canada during the last 50 years in the social hall of the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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Family members at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Kids decide about the toys they want to pick at a special station at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
As has been the tradition of many years, the Ismaili community participates in the iconic Stampede Parade with an entry of a special float. Actually, the Parade kicks off the world famous 10-day Stampede event that is billed as “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. It attracts over one million visitors per year and in addition to the Parade also features one of the world’s largest rodeos, midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing, and First Nations exhibitions.
This year’s theme of the Ismaili float was Planting Canadian Roots. It was brought to the Stampede Breakfast and became the centre of attraction, excluding of course the famous East African Bharazi which the event is well-known for!
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A view of the Ismaili Community’s Float that participated in the iconic Stampede Parade held in Calgary’s downtown core on Friday, July 7, 2023. The float won the first prize in the community category. The parade was attended by 300,000 people. The float was then driven for display at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Ismaili Community’s Float that participated in the iconic Stampede Parade held in Calgary’s downtown core on Friday, July 7, 2023. The parade was attended by 300,000 people. The float was then driven for display at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
After spending more than 2 hours at the ground, taking photos, visiting the Ismaili migration exhibition and of course avaiing myself to bharazi, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and chai, I started to head out only to be informed that the Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Polievre of the Conservative Party, had arrived and would be making remarks.
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Volunteers serving stampede breakfast at the 26th annual Ismaili Muslim Stampede Breakfast at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Volunteers ready to serve bharazi, scrambled eggs and pancakes to attendees at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Having plates filled with bharazi and pancakes, visitors walk to find a spot to enjoy their meal at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg.
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Stressless Police officers — a disciplined community such as the Ismailis create a stree free environment — at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Edmonton’s spirited Tehseen Ladha with Simerg’s editor — and author of this post — at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8. 2023. Photograph: Via Tehseen Ladha.
Pierre Polievre was my MP in Riverside South in Ottawa and I had the pleasure of speaking to him when he visited my home during a voting campaign. During our brief conversation, he was full of admiration for the Aga Khan and the Ismaili community. Indeed, his speech today was replete with the good and hard work of the Ismailis.
After having heard him, I spontaneously decided to turn around for a final walk-through of the Jamatkhana grounds.
My morning arrival at the Jamatkhana grounds turned out to be full of surprises with the unexpected presence of federal and provincial political leaders.
One more surprise awaited me as I began to finally depart the Jamatkhana grounds. I met a lovely family friend after more than 15 years. Both the surprises were unique in their own right. In the latter case, I listened to my heart and met the friend only after I decided to walk through the site once again.
I doubt I will ever experience such a stampede breakfast again.
Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada, speaks at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Chai, coffee and water stations at the 26th annual Ismaili Muslim Stampede Breakfast at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Friends at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Volunteers at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
A country band performed continuously at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Stressless Police officers — a disciplined community such as the Ismailis create a stree free environment — at the Ismaili Muslim Community’s 26th Annual Stampede Breakfast held at the Calgary Headquarters Jamatkhana, July 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: July 8, 2023. Last updated: July 9, 2023 (more photos added.)
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3 thoughts on “July 8, 2023: The Ismaili Muslim Community’s Stampede Breakfast in Calgary Honours Ismailis, the Aga Khan and Diversity in Canada – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Lt. Governor Salma Lakhani and Thousands Grace the Iconic Event”
Dear Malik,
Thank you for a marvelous account of the Calgary Stampede. I really felt nostalgic since I am in Uganda at the moment! The beautiful photos and your descriptive writing helped to make the event alive. I am so glad you were there to share this extraordinary tradition with us.
WOW Malik, brilliant pics. Keep up the good work.
Dear Malik,
Thank you for a marvelous account of the Calgary Stampede. I really felt nostalgic since I am in Uganda at the moment! The beautiful photos and your descriptive writing helped to make the event alive. I am so glad you were there to share this extraordinary tradition with us.
Amazing article, amazing pictures, Malik. Love the fact that I an an Ismaili Muslim in Canada