Naheed Nenshi Becomes First Muslim Leader of a Major Political Party in Canada
7-24-2024
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Naheed Nenshi, former mayor of Calgary, has made history by becoming the first Muslim to lead a major political party in Canada. On June 22, Nenshi was declared the leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP), securing an impressive 86 percent of the vote—the highest any candidate has ever received in a provincial party leadership race.
Nenshi’s political journey began as the first Muslim mayor of a major North American city, serving Calgary for 11 years. During his tenure, he was a staunch advocate for social justice, declaring March 31 as Trans Day of Visibility in 2013, convening a council meeting to address racism following George Floyd›s murder in 2020, and calling out anti-maskers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with Broadview, Nenshi spoke about his vision for fostering a more inclusive Alberta: “We have to ensure that we are building a society and community where everyone has dignity and the opportunity to succeed.”
Leading the Alberta NDP with 85,144 registered members, Nenshi faces the challenge of returning the opposition party to power. He follows Rachel Notley, who served as Alberta›s first and only NDP premier from 2015 until the party›s loss in the 2023 provincial election. Despite sweeping Edmonton and taking more than half of Calgary’s seats, the NDP lost all but one rural riding, presenting a significant challenge for Nenshi.
“I’m not arrogant enough to assume that I know the most important issues for people outside the big cities,” Nenshi told the Western Wheel. “I promise to listen, give people a fair hearing, and have an open and transparent conversation about how we can make life better.”
Nenshi’s leadership will also tackle controversial issues, including proposed legislation limiting transgender youth rights. He believes such measures conflict with his faith’s teachings on human dignity.
Despite unprecedented support during his campaign, Nenshi faces significant challenges. Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, said, “Alberta politics have become much less predictable, and it’s impossible to know whether a change in NDP leadership will offset concerns raised with Danielle Smith.”
Nenshi’s leadership marks a significant milestone, bringing renewed focus on social justice and inclusivity to Alberta.
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