Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau celebrated the Hindu festival of lights — Diwali — with the Indian community in Ottawa on Monday.
Attired in a black ‘sherwani’, Trudeau lit the ceremonial lamp and wished the Indian diaspora a happy Diwali.
Indian High Commissioner to Canada Vikas Swarup was also present on the occasion.
“Diwali Mubarak! We’re celebrating in Ottawa tonight. #HappyDiwali!” Trudeau tweeted.
Diwali Mubarak! We're celebrating in Ottawa tonight. #HappyDiwali! pic.twitter.com/HBFlQUBhWX
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 17, 2017
Last month, Canada Post and India Post had jointly issued two stamps to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.
Diwali, which is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety across India, marks the return Lord Ram, the king of Ayodhya in northern India, after his victory over demon king Ravana in distant Lanka, as well as the culmination of his 14-year-long exile.
Lord Ram is widely regarded as the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates in a reception in Ottawa celebrating #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/8DYFrl2F5Z
— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) October 17, 2017
Diwali is also celebrated to honour Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth and prosperity and consort of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi blesses those homes that are clean and well lit.
On Diwali, people illuminate their houses with coloured lights and earthen lamps.
Known for embracing cultural and religious diversity, Prime Minister Trudeau had also recently celebrated and greeted the Muslim population in his country on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in June this year.
He was wearing a pair of socks with text reading “Eid Mubarak,” written on it, honouring the religious day that marked the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
However several twitter users were displeased with Justin Trudeau for using the word ‘Mubarak’ that has its origin in Arabic. He was asked to correct his mistake:
Word to the wise : It's "Shubh-Deepavali", (Auspicious Deepavali), and NOT "Diwali Mubarak". "Mubarak" is Arabic, not Indian. @CanadainIndia
— Truthsayer (@a_truthsayer) October 17, 2017
It's not "Diwali Mubarak", it's "Diwali Ki Badhai" ... Correct it ..
— Bhavesh K Pandey (@bhaveshkpandey) October 17, 2017
PM Justin, thanks for the Deepavali Greetings. Confirm w. @CanadainIndia, please amend your tweet. Nobody, but nobody, says "Diwali Mubarak"
— Truthsayer (@a_truthsayer) October 17, 2017
My man you can’t say Mubarak when referring to Diwali
— Bhavana (@BhavanaNTR) October 17, 2017
Thank you, Mr.PM. Its good to hear from a global icon. But it's either 'subh deewali' (Hindhi) or deepavali Vazhthukal(Tamil).
— Abinayah Raguraam (@AbinayahR) October 17, 2017
There were some who thought the criticism was unnecessary and that the spirit of the festival should be enjoyed:
What an odd way of phrasing it, but Thank you
— Raj (@pennythegirl) October 17, 2017
You are awesome. Not sure why ppl getting offended by "Mubarak" Respect the sentiments behind, Mubarak just an Arabic word for blessing
— Shaan (@Shanyousaf6) October 17, 2017
Happy Diwali to you too! #happydiwali #HappyDiwali2017 pic.twitter.com/Eui7pbBraf
— Phun-A Lonely Hermit (@phun_wang) October 17, 2017
