Community leader to receive inaugural Order of Ottawa award

This prestigious civic award was established this year by the Mayor and Members of Council to recognize exceptional residents who have made a significant contribution in their professional capacity to the city.

“The Order of Ottawa enables us to recognize outstanding residents and meritorious service within our city,” said Mayor Watson. “These remarkable individuals have made a difference to countless people in our community, and make our city the special place it is.”

Mrs. Tareen is well known in the community for her volunteerism. She was the first woman to be elected as chair of the Ottawa Muslim Association Council of Trustees and was also the first Muslim woman to join the Christian-Muslim Dialogue Group.

Her contributions to the community have been widely recognized. In October, she was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. Other prizes received in the past are the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and the City of Ottawa Civic Appreciation Award. Mrs. Tareen is also on the Speakers Bureau for the Passages to Canada programme where she shares memories of her journey to Canada from India, and her experience of becoming Canadian.

For the Order of Ottawa, she joins: businessman Moe Atallah, researcher Dr. John Bell, founding President of the Ottawa International Airport Authority Paul Benoit, transplant recipient Hélène Campbell, former mayor Jim Durrell, social justice advocate Allison Fisher, educator Robert Gillett, lawyer Marc Jolicoeur, retired engineer Terry Kelly, publisher Russell Mills, Ottawa Mission director Diane Morrison, community activist Gisèle Richer, founder and executive of the AOE Arts Council Christine Tremblay and community builder Sara Vered.