Afghan Community Celebrates Police Officers
The Afghan community in the Greater Toronto Area celebrated police officers who have made a difference in their community through their outreach.
Afghan Nobel TV hosted the event that celebrated many community members and elders for their focus on helping others, while celebrating Eid-el-Fitr, the end to the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.
The first Toronto Police Service officer of Afghan descent, Homicide and Missing Persons Unit Detective Abdul Nuri has built lasting relationships in the Afghan community over the years.
He hosts a weekly program on Afghan Nobel TV, providing vital information to Afghan newcomers about Canadian laws.
“He demonstrates the very best in policing through his caring and service to the community,” said Superintendent Chris Kirkpatrick. “The work he is involved with has always centred on building trust and developing relationships that strengthen our communities.”
Two years ago, Detective Constable Mustafa Popalzai, patnered with Constable Farzad Ghotbi, formed Project Hope and enlisted the efforts of community partners to collect household items and clothing for the thousands of Afghan refugees. The two officers and their Sgt. Henry Dyck were also recognized at the event for their efforts alongside other policing and community partners to collect a half million dollars of essential items.
Canada assisted in the resettlement of 20,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals following the Taliban takeover of the country two years ago. In 2001, Popalzai and his family were among those that arrived in Toronto as refugees after fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Just over two decades later, he has found himself helping Afghan refugees make the transition in their new country.
Afghan officers Detective-Constable Farhad Zamir, Constable Hakim Mobin, Constable Hares Mosoul and Ontario Provincial Police Detective-Constable Roman Walizad were also recognized at the event.
