OTTAWA, Jan 5: Azhar Ali Khan, a Canadian of Pakistani origin, has been named to the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaelle Jean, according to an official announcement here. Khan is a former president of the Ottawa Muslim Association and was given the award “for his contribution as a leader in the Muslim community and as a journalist volunteer dedicated to strengthening ties between people of diverse backgrounds and faith”.

“I am very honoured and flattered”, Khan said. “I have received the Order of Ontario and the Queens’ gold medal award, but this obviously is the top”.

Khan has worked for newspapers in four countries, including Pakistan. He worked for Ottawa Citizen for 25 years, the Christian Science Monitor and Karachi’s Morning News.

From his savings of $50,000 Khan set up the Ali Khan Foundation whose proceeds are given through Canadian- and UN-approved charities to people most desperately in need.