Gala a glittery affair

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2019 (2300 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Islamic Social Service Association’s 20th anniversary dinner and party absolutely glittered.

It was held at the Victoria Inn on Sept. 19, and the clothing showcased the most decorative “business attire” yours truly has ever seen. While many of the men were in business suits, some were in robes, and the women wore beautiful long gowns and bejewelled head covers with many twinkling dress coats.

The greatest thanks from the people who spoke were directed at ISSA’s determined Canadian creator Shahina Siddiqui, who insisted 20 years ago that social services, which offer all kinds of help, were needed in Manitoba. She wanted to establish counselling and professional help for families and individuals who were hurting and suffering in silence.

When she first proposed the idea, people said things such as, “We don’t need this in our community,” but she could see the demand was there, so she persisted until ISSA was established.

The powerful woman who sat at the front table wearing willow-green satin and a scarf, was referred to affectionately — and with respect and mock fear — as “Auntie” by MC Niigaan Sinclair because of her determination and toughness.

Her quiet husband Iqbal, affectionately known as Uncle Iqqy by some, is a charming man who does the ISSA books, and has driven his wife to a thousand speeches and appointments. Shahina Siddiqui is a heroine to many people in Winnipeg and Canada.

The party was filled with all nationalities, notably Muslim people from several different countries, Indigenous people, East Indian and Japanese.

“We are all one family,” said Sinclair, an associate professor in native studies at the University of Manitoba and a Winnipeg Free Press columnist, looking out at the crowd of people. It was a feeling echoed throughout the night by each speaker, and we would have liked the opportunity to meet the people at each table — it almost needed to be a weekend conference.

Spotted: Honoured guests included Winnipeg Coun. Ross Eadie (who won a door prize and trooped up to collect it); Point Douglas MLA Bernadette Smith; provincial NDP Leader Wab Kinew; Winnipeg police Chief Dan Smyth; Jennifer Chen of the Winnipeg School Division; and Union Station MLA Uzoma Asagwara.

Also spotted: Rocky and Christine Baronins from the Church of Latter Day Saints; Dr. Michael Boyce, vice-president and dean of Booth Community University College; Abdo Eltassi of Peerless Garments; and Jane MacClatchy, Manitoba assistant RCMP commissioner. The evening’s MCs were lawyer Kobra Rahimi and Sinclair. A special presentation on ISSA came from American Dr. Aneesh Nadir.

The IHSAN Award (meaning excellence award) for showing one’s inner faith in deed and actions went to social worker Terumi Kuwada; Iqbal Siddiqui, president of the Manitoba Islamic Association when 9/11 happaned; and Sen. Murray Sinclair, co-chair of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry. It was a colourful, star-filled night!

CREATIVE FOUNDATION GALA: The Creative Foundation also celebrated its 20th year with a lively soirée Sept. 18 at the Holiday Inn. It included awards to three people who share the non-profit organization’s goals of celebrating and encouraging children to pursue all forms of creativity, from arts to science.

Well-known 15-year-old computer genius Tanmay Bakshi shared the honourees list with Dr. Tito Daudo and the late Leo Mol.

When his turn came to speak, Tanmay stole the show with a mini-presentation — a sample of what he might offer in future TED talks. Yes, he’s done one, already! The audience got a mini-lesson about computer intelligence and artificial intelligence, with Bakshi’s giant slides covering half the wall behind him. He’s used to lecturing people older than he is, and is already writing and selling books. Tanmay was home-schooled because at five years old he was already dazzling everyone around him with his knowledge on many subjects.

A Calgary surgeon educated at the University of Manitoba, Daudo’s goal is to work on international surgical education projects in impoverished regions. She was unable to attend the gala but sent a letter read by her mom.

The MC for the night was gala committee head Garry Green, whose organizing committee included CFI president Dr. Sunday Akin Olukoju, Creative Federation head Yisa Akinbolaji, Catherine Rust-Akinbolaji, David Farimehin and Afeez Ismail. Some special guests were Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon and Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard, plus deputy mayor and dynamic speaker Markus Chambers.

One of the most charming events was a storytelling act about finding people’s creativity and encouraging it called the Head Master, performed by Bola Oriyomi, an African storyteller well-known in the schools of Winnipeg. She brought the energy up after dinner on a night to remember.

Got events happening in your world? Know of cool things going on? Been rubbing shoulders with the stars? Call Maureen at the tip line: 204-474-1116.