Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Canadian and a dear friend, Mr. Gul Nawaz. Gul was an active volunteer and a resident of Mississauga, who, sadly, passed away recently. The prayer room at the Islamic Society of North America Mosque in Mississauga was filled to capacity with family and friends to say goodbye to Gul.
Gul represented the best of our vibrant multicultural society. He was a proud and patriotic Canadian who never forgot the people of his native Pakistan, while constantly reaching out to befriend and assist people of every culture, especially newcomers to Canada. He was president of the Canada Pakistan Friendship Association and the Council of Pakistani Canadians. He was a founder and served as chair of the Heartland Creditview Neighbourhood Centre, which provides vital services to newcomers.
Gul received many awards and recognitions, most notably from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Mississauga Arts Council, Credit Valley Hospital, Sheridan College and the University of Toronto.
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon.