Islam Awareness Week ended with a bang, when the Thaqalayn Muslim Association (TMA)-representing members of the Thaqalayn faith, a subsect of Shia islam-hosted their fourth annual Ghadeer Banquet at the Islamic Society of York in Stouffville on Jan 29.

Students from all three U of T campuses were joined by fellow TMA members from York and Queen’s universities to celebrate Eid-ul-Ghadeer, a milestone event in Shia Muslim tradition commemorating the proclamation of Imam Ali as the caliph and leader of his followers.

Keynote speaker Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, the resident aalim, or spiritual leader, at the Jaffari Islamic Centre in Bayview, addressed the universality of the Imam, describing him as a person “who embodied the very essence of perfection and excelled in all areas of virtue.” Ali is said to have been a bold, noble, and generous man, and is revered by both Sunni and Shia Islamic sects.

Adopted by Prophet Muhammad and educated under his care, Ali was the first male to embrace Islam at the tender age of nine. In 661CE, Ali ibn Abi Talib was assassinated from a wound inflicted by a poisoned weapon, but his legacy lives on through his collections of proverbs and verses, the most famous of which is entitled Nahj al-Balagha, or “The Peak of Eloquence.”

Dr. Robert Campbell, emphasized the Imam’s multidimensional personality and his portrayal as “the voice of justice”.

“He was not just a political leader, negotiator, or diplomat but also the powerhouse of our heritage,” Campbell said.

Ryerson students Ken Broderick and Haider Bahadur, sang traditional Islamic songs, and a comic video skit portrayed the challenges facing young Muslims today. But the highlight of the evening’s lineup was the annual play, “A Glimpse into the Life of Bahlool,” a light-hearted satire loosely based on a student of the great-great grandson of Imam Ali.

Aliya Walji, president of TMA’s UTSC chapter, and co-organizer of the event, was ecstatic over the turnout.

“It’s been a learning process,” Walji said. “Pulling off an event of this magnitude has been a rewarding experience and a phenomenal success as far as TMA is concerned. Next year, we’ll have to step it up a notch.”

The evening drew to a close as former UTSC-TMA president Ali Canani spoke about his vision for TMA and his hopes of nationwide expansion.

Founded at UTM in 2000, TMA now has five chapters in Ontario.