Ottawa, Ontario

PROFILE OF 2012 DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDAL WINNER MR ABDULNASER ATEF

Commemorative medals are struck to mark important and great occasions.   A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The medal is also a means by which Canada may honour significant contributions by individuals to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

We are extremely proud to recognize Yemenis who are recipients of the prestigious Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and wish to introduce you to the first of several winners.

Mr. Abdulnaser Atef is renowned for his great contributions to Yemeni/Canadian communities in Ottawa, where he currently resides;  across Canada,  and among communities in the US. 

His accomplishments are numerous and have made a real difference in the well-being of so many Yemenis and other Arabs who have made Canada their new home.  His efforts have made them feel connected and truly at home.

Abdulnaser Atef is responsible for opening Canada’s first Yemeni community office -  a hub of activity and a source of information and assistance to the newly-arrived wishing to integrate;  and those who are settled but wish to stay in touch with their heritage and current issues.   In addition, he also publishes an Arabic/English Yemeni newsletter – a link for Yemenis to stay connected across Canada and beyond.

He is the founder of an Arabic school to promote the Arab language among Yemeni children and a great supporter of the Yemeni soccer team and his enthusiastic cheer leading may even be the secret of its many resounding victories!

He has distinguished himself in many ways and is known as a great advocate for minority rights, as evidenced by his own contribution to the massive efforts leading to the  reversal  of Air Canada’s secondary search policy of Yemen-connected individuals at Canadian Airports in 2010. 

A man of boundless energy, and a remarkably positive attitude, he recently retired his long-standing position as President of the Yemeni Community in order to return full-time to Carleton University but he remains dedicated to welcoming newcomers and contributing to the organization of community events for the successful integration and enrichment of Yemeni and Canadian cultures and communities.

For more information on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, kindly visit:  www.gg.ca