In what has been described as a major boost for Ontario Muslim community, and a rare show of its kind, Canadian Muslim hockey star Nazem Kadri will bring the Stanley Cup to London mosque on August 27.
“We’re proud of Nazem, proud of his journey,” said Mo Haidar, Kadri’s brother in-law, London CTV News reported.
“It’s almost so surreal for his family and his friends,” he added.
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Nazem Kadri’s family (Source: Mo Haidar)
Haidar, a member of Kadri’s charitable foundation, confirmed that Kadri will host the Stanley Cup in London on Saturday August 27.
The cup parade will depart at noon from the London Muslim mosque. Going through different parts of the city, it will finish at Victoria Park.
“Nazem will speak, he’ll be there with the cup so people can see it. People are encouraged to come out there and have a look and see the Stanley Cup first hand,” Haidar, who sits on the organizing committee for an upcoming parade, added.
Inspiration
Kadri made history last June as the first Muslim to win the Stanley Cup.
Colorado Avalanche star made a major difference for the team in the pursuit of their third Stanley Cup championship on Sunday. He also delivered the Game 4 game-winner against the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier.
The cup tour at the mosque will be an inspiration for younger Muslim generation to pursue their dreams.
According to Aarif Deen, Avalanche reporter, this is the first time the Stanley Cup will visit a mosque.
“It’s a huge deal for not just the Muslim community in London, but the Muslim community as a whole,” explained Haidar.
“The younger generations, and the youth coming up, it just shows that not only Muslims, but any group of minorities that anything is achievable. If you really have passion and you really want to achieve something, Nazem is a great example of that, and on the 27th you’ll be able to see the proof of that.”
Commissioned in 1892, the Stanley Cup is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) considers it to be one of the “most important championships available to the sport”.