In a day filled with pride, joy and inspiration, Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown to celebrate on Saturday. It was a dream come true for the 31-year-old who won a title with the Colorado Avalanche last season and one day he hopes to lift up his community. “That’s the goal, to inspire and motivate young people. This new generation is looking for role models, so I am doing my best and I am happy to share it with everyone,” he said. “I didn’t expect this kind of turnout. I am very grateful for all the supporters. To start at [London Muslim Mosque] and to finish here on such a beautiful day is just the cherry on top.” Kadri started at the mosque, he said, because, “It’s part of my past, it’s part of my roots, it’s part of who I am. “For all these people, I know they are on my side, [it] it just shows that they came here for me – I’m just very grateful to them.” Hundreds of people, many wearing Kadri Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys and T-shirts, gathered just before noon at the mosque alongside Kadri’s family and loved ones. He was greeted by loud applause. Munir el-Kassem, the religious director of the Islamic Center in London, and Faisal Joseph, a lawyer, activist and long-time senior member of the community, addressed the crowd, sharing stories about Kadri’s character and what he means to the community. particularly the Muslims of London. Mayor Ed Holder also addressed the crowd, hailing Kadri as “the greatest Londoner”. After Kadri stopped to sign t-shirts, jerseys and photos, the celebration moved to Victoria Park at the Kiwanis Memorial Bandshell. Some flags of Lebanon – Kadri’s family’s country of origin – were flown, along with some Canadian flags. His minor league coach John Caldarocci and London Knights owners Mark and Dale Hunter, where Country spent some time on the minor league hockey scene, shared stories with the crowd. Messages were also shared from some who couldn’t attend, including former Leafs general manager Brian Burke and former teammate Colby Armstrong. Mayor Holder presented Kadri with the key to the city. “There’s a reason I don’t just celebrate with my family. I wanted to come out here and share with you,” Kadri told the crowd. “You’ve been my supporters since day 1 and I can’t tell you enough how much that means to me. “I hope this inspires and motivates kids to chase your dreams because I never thought that was possible. I had a lot of support and people made me believe. If you believe, you can succeed. Seeing everyone come out here and support me just inspires me and motivates me even more so we’re going to try and bring this thing back [when] I’m going to Calgary.” Kadri’s message of hope hit home with Muslim youth in attendance. “I think it’s really an amazing experience for the Muslim community and it’s really inspiring for us,” said 15-year-old Zayan Khan. “If he can win the Stanley Cup as a Muslim, he inspires more Muslims to achieve their dreams.” “I think it’s huge for the London community as a whole to show everyone what you can do if you want to make your dreams come true,” added Londoner Mohammed Jomaa. “But more than that, just the diversity it brings to the city. That this can’t just be achieved by a white person – anyone of color, anyone of any religion, ethnicity, race, whatever – you can achieve anything you want in any sport, in anything in life, if you put your mind to it. “ Kadri’s visit was a welcome celebration in a community rocked by tragedy last year. Four members of a Muslim family were hit by a truck and killed in what police described as motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. “It’s hard. We’re still dealing with the scars and grief that comes from the horrific attack that happened last year in our community,” said Hassan Mostafa, a family friend who sits on the board of the Kadri Foundation. “Does celebrating this erase all of that? No way. But it’s great to celebrate something like this. Our community needs something like this, and we are so excited and so proud.” Kadri has faced his share of racism and Islamophobia, especially this past postseason. After a collision with the goalkeeper of St. Louis Blues, Jordan Binnington in Game 3 of the second round that knocked Binnington out of the lineup with an injury, Kadri was the target of several threats and racist comments on social media.
