Rahim Jaffer
| Rahim Jaffer | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Canadian Parliament for Edmonton—Strathcona |
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In office 1997–2008 |
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| Preceded by | Hugh Hanrahan |
| Succeeded by | Linda Duncan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rahim Nizar Jaffer December 15, 1971 Kampala, Uganda |
| Political party | Conservative (2003-present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Reform (1997-2000) Canadian Alliance (2000-2003) |
| Spouse(s) | Helena Guergis |
| Children | Zavier Rahim Nizarali Guergis Jaffer |
| Residence | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Profession | businessman, entrepreneur |
| Religion | Nizari Ismaili Shia Islam |
Rahim Nizar Jaffer (Urdu: رحيم جعفر; born December 15, 1971) is a former Canadian politician and a former Member of Parliament. He served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2008, representing the Alberta riding of Edmonton—Strathcona as a member of the Conservative Party. He was the first Muslim elected to the Canadian Parliament. Jaffer became embroiled in a national controversy in 2010 after he appeared to receive special treatment, "a break," from the justice system after being charged with drunk driving and possession of cocaine.
Jaffer was born to an Ismaili Muslim family in Kampala, Uganda. When he was a young child, he and his family emigrated to Canada to escape further persecution in Uganda after the government of Idi Amin confiscated their business and their home. They settled in Edmonton.
Jaffer completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Ottawa in Political Science and Economics. He took his degree in the French language. He also served as a legislative assistant in the House of Commons. After completing his degree he returned to Edmonton, where he operated a successful coffee shop in the heart of the Old Strathcona district.
Jaffer was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona on June 2, 1997, at the age of 25. He won the seat as a member of the Reform Party of Canada (later the Canadian Alliance, which later merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the Conservative Party).
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