When political newcomer Naheed Nenshi (38), Business Professor at University of Mount Royal, won a close fight by receiving 40 % of the votes to become Calgary"s mayor, he made history, becoming the first Muslim to head a major Canadian city. Nenshi holds bachelor degree at Calgary University and master degree at Harvard University.
Imam Zijad Delic, the national executive director of the Canadian Islamic Congress, said that Nenshi"s election is a positive but also a natural development for the Muslim community.
"Muslims came here to be citizens of this country and it"s natural that with our desire to contribute to this society that we will be getting engaged and getting elected," said Delic and added: “To me, this is just a natural progression of living here. We are a very young community, and as such, we are struggling to come forward, but we are starting to show signs."