Ismaili Muslim Community serves thousands at 29th annual Stampede breakfast
More than 5,000 attendees gathered for pancakes and bharazi Saturday as Mayor Farkas and Lieutenant-Governor Lakhani highlighted community and diversity.
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Thousands lined up for pancakes and bharazi, an East African dish of pigeon peas in coconut curry, at the Ismaili Muslim Community's Calgary Stampede breakfast Saturday morning.
Hosted at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre headquarters, this year marked the organization's 29th iteration of the event. Last year saw more than 5,000 attendees and organizers expected to beat that record this year.
The event has become a fixture on the Stampede's political circuit. This year's attendees included Mayor Jeromy Farkas, Alberta Lieutenant-Governor Salma Lakhani, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, several Alberta MLAs, Calgary city councillors, and members of parliament.
Dr. Zahra Shajani, president of the Ismaili Council for the Prairies, said the breakfast celebrates values of generosity, service, and compassion. She noted 2026 marks 40 years of Ismaili volunteers designing and building the Stampede float entry. This year's float, created in partnership with Generations Calgary, was constructed by more than 50 multi-generational volunteers who contributed roughly 3,500 hours.
Mayor Farkas reflected on community contribution, noting his grandmother's extensive Stampede volunteering. He also used the event to condemn rising Islamophobia. "Every Canadian deserves to belong right here in the city," he said. "When hatred targets one community, it threatens every community."
