November 1 Spotlight on Nizar Ali
Nizar emigrated to Canada from Al-Koura, Lebanon in 1986 as a student. Since arriving in Canada, Nizar has been busy volunteering and leading different cultural and humanitarian organizations. 
Nizar was one of the founders and the producer for the Arabic community TV program Arabesque in Edmonton, Alberta. The program focused on showcasing Arabic culture and providing news for the local community. Arabesque was a thirty-minute weekly program that was on the air for 10 years. It was a one of the only ways for people in the community to hear spoken Arabic and see facets of Arabic culture via broadcast TV in the days before the internet.
On the humanitarian side, Nizar was a board member of Humanserve International (HSI) for over 30 years. HSI’s mandate is to support Palestinian and Syrian refugees and disadvantaged citizens in Lebanon and Palestine. His role included setting up and monitoring projects like the Water Well and Water Distribution System for the Sikkeh Camp in Saida, Renovation of Hamshari Hospital in Saida, Kindergarten School for over 100 students in Daouk in Beirut, Emergency Relief for Gaza, West Bank, and Lebanon. Most recently, HSI supported Syrian refugees in Canada.
In addition, Nizar volunteered in different capacities in multiple Arab and Lebanese cultural organizations:
- Alberta Canadian Arab Cultural Club - board member
- Canadian Arab Business Club – chair
- World Lebanese Cultural Union Edmonton Chapter – president, secretary, treasurer.
On April 4, 2008, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on a recommendation from the Lebanese ambassador, appointed Nizar to help the Lebanese embassy with Lebanese passports and Lebanese-Palestinian travel documents. This is a free service that Nizar provides at no charge to thousands of Lebanese and Palestinian new emigrants up to this day.
Nizar is an active volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross since 2016. He currently serves as the Team Leader for the Personal Disaster Assistance Team of Central Okanagan.
Nizar Ali works for TELUS Digital as a Client Engagement Manager based out of Kelowna BC. He is married to his lovely wife Vanessa Ali who is like-minded in volunteer, activism and social justice. Together have a daughter, Sahar and a son, Omar.
NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.
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