2nd Session, 41st Parliament,
Volume 149, Issue 116
Thursday, February 5, 2015
The Honourable Pierre Claude Nolin, Speaker
The Late Sherali Bandali Jaffer
Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, I rise today to thank the many people who have been supportive of my family in our hour of need. On December 27, after spending the Christmas holidays surrounded by his 34 children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives, my father Sherali Bandali Jaffer passed away.
My father was a former member of Parliament in Uganda. His dream was to be buried in Uganda, the country of his birth. I would like to thank everyone who helped to make his dream a reality.
More specifically, I would like to thank the Government of Canada, Minister John Baird and Steven Vo, who helped repatriate my father’s body back to Uganda. I would also like to thank the Ismaili National Council in Canada and Uganda, and particularly Presidents Malik Talib, Mohamed Lalani, Samira Alibhai, Vice President Hirani and Chairmen Dr. Mohamud Karim, Shabir Amarshi, Karim Hirji, Alnashir Jamal and Hanif Mawji for their hard work in coordinating between the two Ismaili national councils and assisting with the funeral arrangements.
Most importantly, I would like to thank the Ugandan government and all of my Ugandan brothers and sisters. Never in our wildest dreams did we think that my father would return to Uganda as a Ugandan. The Ugandan Government insisted on taking my Dad home as a son of Uganda.
I would like to thank His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Musweni of Uganda, who was instrumental in according my father all the courtesies as a former member of Parliament. Our family will forever be grateful to the President for his thoughtfulness.
I would like to thank the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda in Canada, His Excellency John Chrysostom Alintuma Nsambu; his Deputy Head of Mission, Margaret Kyogire; his Second Secretary, Joshua Kalebo; and his assistant, Ida Namagga; and John Halani, Uganda’s Honourary Consul to British Columbia.
Our sincere gratitude to Prince Kassim Nakibinge and the families of both Prince Kakungulu and Haji Musa Kasule. You all went out of your way to welcome us home and comfort my family. For that, I will forever be indebted to you. You have always been there for us.
I want to thank my leaders, Senator Cowan, Senator Munson and Senator Fraser, and fellow senators for their support. I want to thank all of the people who helped and continue to help my family at this very difficult time. We are truly blessed to have so many kind people in our lives during our hour of need.
Lastly, I want to belatedly thank my Dad who believed in and supported his 5 daughters, 1 son, 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and their spouses. He was a man who loved us unconditionally. On December 27 I lost my Dad, who believed in me and supported me. I lost the man who gave me all the opportunities in the world. May his soul rest in peace.