[URBAN NOTE] "Ahmadiyya Caliph touches down in Toronto"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star's Azzura Lalanis reports on the arrival of the Ahmadiyya caliph on a visit to Toronto.

The leader of millions of Ahmadiyya Muslims arrived in the Greater Toronto Area this evening, touching off joyous celebrations among the faithful.

Shouts of “Allahuakbar” — God is Great — rang out in the area known as Peace Village in Vaughan Monday when Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Caliph of the Ahmadiyya community, arrived.

Over 10,000 followers gathered as he began his six-week Canadian tour.

“Today is a very, very important day because I am seeing the Caliph for the first time,” said Waseema Khurran, 36, who was waiting with her 2-year-old son. “I am so happy I cannot describe it.”

The area was decorated festively for the Caliph’s visit. Houses were draped in strings of light and children singing songs to welcome the Caliph wore red and white and waved Canadian flags.