Calgary Towhid Center

Calgary Towhid Centre A Farsi Hub For Meeting New People and Feeling Like Home I have only been in Calgary for a little while now, but I am still shocked about how this city embraces people; it doesn’t matter where you come from. Recently, I’ve been hearing about the Calgary Towhid Centre, this Iranian center for Farsi speakers located at 21A, 416 Meridian Rd SE. While listening to the news, I have asked myself what this place must be like and decided to write down everything I have learned so far. That is my motivation for feeling sentimental about this place, I guess.

The Together Center

Hearing how the Towhid Centre came to be is simply charming. A cluster of Iranians living in Calgary came together and thought that it wouldn’t be so bad to have a place of their own, right? From June 2016 onwards, it was officially registered as a not-for-profit organization, and by August, it had become a fully-fledged Canadian charity. I can vividly imagine these individuals, filled with excitement, joy, and perhaps even tears, as they witnessed the realization of their dream over cups of the renowned strong Persian tea. The ultimate objective was to establish a community center for speakers of Farsi, be they Iranians, Afghans, Tajiks, or, well, everyone from the region. The center did not have a political agenda; its aim was to bring the community together in one place.

The inside of the center features ethnic items like polished porcelain tableware, intricate woodwork, and other objects of fine decor from other parts of the world. I would not be surprised if there is a traditional Persian carpet on the ground and a very aromatic blend of saffron and rosewater wafting through the room. Laughter and conversation in Farsi fill the room while someone calls out, “Pass the cookies!” For anyone who is coming all the way from Iran to Calgary, stepping inside must surely remind them of home.

Keeping Persian Traditions Alive

The Towhid Centre never fails to amaze me in how they maintain Persian culture. They organize large functions for notable dates in the calendar, like Nowruz, which is the Persian New Year, and Yalda night, which is celebrated during the Winter Solstice. It’s not hard to imagine what Nowruz would be like over there. Everything would be all set with the tables that have the Haft-Seen setup embellished with apples, a mirror, and goldfish shining, all signifying new beginnings. The kids have their hands covered in sweets while the parents are busy capturing every moment of it all. Everything sounds stunning, and to add the cherry on top, I heard UNESCO even recognizes Nowruz, which is really astonishing.

Of course, that’s not all; it is also an attempt to reminisce about their roots. I can easily picture children being told the stories of Nowruz back in Iran and asking, “Why do we put a goldfish on the table?” For the younger ones growing up here, that must really hit them deep, especially in a multicultural city like Calgary, where your old life and new life constantly intertwine.

A Spot to Pray and Feel Connected

The religious and spiritual aspect of the Towhid Centre is remarkable, to say the least. One can notice Islamic Shia practices at the Towhid Centre with the various classes and meetings held. A few people from those classes or meetings seem to be on the floor listening to a lecture about a verse from the Quran or talking about everyday human kindness. For Farsi-speaking people, being surrounded by people who speak their language is comforting and feels like home.

I am certain that, for these kinds of people, they are extremely supportive. Like, for instance, someone new to Calgary should just walk into the center and find a myriad of people interested in speaking Farsi who can assist them. It is kind of like a house, isn’t it? Where older people in a country aid the younger folk who have only recently settled down.

A Small House In a Large City

The Calgary Towhid Centre has that homey feel for speakers of Farsi. It is the place where they can joke, pray, celebrate life, or just figure things out in Canada. I keep thinking I would love to attend a Yalda Night there—gobble up some pomegranate, hear some poetry, and all that. For now, I am glad the center is there, making Calgary seem like a place where everyone belongs.