Toronto: March 17, 2012. (PCP) Hundreds gathered to mark First Anniversary of the martyrdom of Shahbaz Bhatti on March 2, 2012, at the Woodbine Banquet and Convention Hall to celebrate his life and remember his sacrifice. Assembled guests included Hon Jason Kenney , Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Hon Bal Gosal, Minister of State - Sports, His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins (Archdiocese of Toronto), His Grace Archbishop Ret. Lawrence Saldanha (Archdiocese of Lahore), Hon Senator Salma Ataullahjan, MP Bob Dechert (Erindale-Mississauga, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs), MP Brad Butt (Mississauga-Streetsville), MP Joe Daniel (Don Valley East), MP Ted Opitz (Etobicoke Center), Sardar Harbans Singh Jandali (President of Dixie Gurdwara Sahib Committee), Professor Nazeer Bishay (President, Canadian Egytian Congress), Mrs. Priti Lamba, Mr. Frank Domenichiello (President, Conservative Party Vaughan), Pastor John Bootsma (Lead Airport Campus Pastor at Catch the Fire, Toronto), Mr. Corey Odden (Chief Executive Officer, Voice of the Martyrs Canada), Councillor Vincent Crisanti (Ward 1 –Etobicoke North), as well as many other dignitaries, clergy, church and community leaders, members of human rights organizations, and members of the Canadian Pakistani Christian community. Towards the end of the evening Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was also able to join the event and give his condolences and support to the community. Also in attendance were members of the Amadhiyya and Sikh communities, and members of various communal and religious organizations from Canada and the US. The event was marvelously hosted by Masters of Ceremony Raheel Masih and Serena Samuel; their hard work and organization was evident throughout the evening. Reverend Dr. Rashid Gill said a brief prayer before appetizers were served as the guests were assembling. The function started with an opening prayer by Reverend Alexander David. His Eminence Cardinal Collins and His Grace Archbishop Ret. Saldanha led prayers and bible readings by community members. His Eminence Cardinal Collins then gave a brief sermon. The Hallelujah Band led by Abiam Shad sang two songs; including Shahbaz’ favourite psalm “Daim Yahova Ya Rabb”. This was followed by a candle lighting ceremony organized by Mr. Reuben and Mrs. Eliza Charles. Fifty candles were lit by His Eminence Cardinal Collins, the Bhatti family and dignitaries, in solidarity with Shahbaz’ sacrifice and the people for whom he laid down his life. Alfa Pascual sang a beautiful rendition of the song “Wind Beneath My Wings” as the candles were being lit. It was a beautiful and touching moment. A video produced by Serena Samuel on Shahbaz’ life and the consequences of Blasphemy Law in Pakistan was then shown; a somber time in the event when pin drop silence could be heard and brought tears to many eyes. Peter Bhatti, Chairman ICV gave a speech welcoming the assembled guests and encouraging them to work with ICV to continue Shahbaz’ legacy. The keynote speaker, Hon Jason Kenney (Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, & Multiculturalism), spoke next. He told the audience how both he and Prime Minister Harper had been influenced by Shahbaz in their short meeting in Ottawa. He reiterated the determination of the Government of Canada to help Christians and other minorities of Pakistan, in every way possible; also stating that Shahbaz was not only able to lift the issues of religious minorities and Christians in Pakistan, but unveiled the serious issue of the persecution of Christians all around the world. Brief speeches were made by Hon Bal Gosal, who thanked ICV for their continuing to work for not only Christians, but other minorities; MP Bob Dechert; Frank Domenichiello and Mirella Chiapetta, on behalf of Hon Julian Fantino (Minister of Defense); Hon Senator Salma Ataullahjan; Pastor John Bootsma ; Mr. Ijaz Rauf, on behalf of Malik Lal Khan Sahib (National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Canada); Mr. Corey Odden; Councillor Vincent Crisanti, on behalf of Mayor Rob Ford and the City of Toronto; as well as Mayor Rob Ford himself. An ICV tribute video created by ICV Youth members (Nitasha Bhatti, Jennifer Yousif, Kristina Yousif, & Romeela Pervez) was also shown; as well as a production by Voice of the Martyrs called “Chura”, which shows the story of Shafia, a young girl who was kidnapped, raped and whose captors attempted to force her to convert to Islam. Throughout the evening the many Christians and members of other religious minorities who were murdered by extremists in Pakistan were also memorialized and mourned. Pastor Pagey Isaac said the closing prayer before dinner was served. Mr. Vincent Samuel thanked everyone for attending and making the event a success. ICV would like to extend a sincere and special thanks to the MCs Raheel Masih and Serena Samuel for their outstanding work; all the ICV Executives and welcoming comittee (Qamar Andreas, Lazar Bhag, Bosco Martyres, Asher Khokhar & Basanti Masih) for their work in organizing the function; the Hallejuah Band and Alfa Pascual for their beautiful music; Nitasha Bhatti, and Zarin Arif for the audio visual presentations; David Bhatti for his work as "runner" and ensuring that the evening ran on time; Mr. Reuben and Mrs. Eliza Charles for the flowers and candle lighting ceremony; Mr. Vincent Samuel for his hard work in running the event; and the wonderful staff at the Woodbine Banquet & Convention Hall for their arrangements and delicious food.