Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

Who is His Highness, the Aga Khan, a man who is celebrating 60 years of service to his community and the world?

He is the spiritual leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims, a significant number of whom call Canada home. He is a diplomat, social innovator, global humanitarian and someone with an unshakable belief in the values of pluralism, diversity and equality.

The Aga Khan was appointed as the 49th hereditary Imam of the world’s Shia Ismaili community upon his grandfather’s death in 1957, when he was just a 20-year-old and studying at Harvard.

s a banker and someone involved in the community, one of the ways I measure success is by taking a good hard look at results. Focus on what has been achieved, how have people been better served and how has community been fostered.

Over the years, I have served on many boards and been involved with dozens of community initiatives. I am grateful for the people I’ve met through this work. I have learned a lot from those who have challenged me and those who have offered me a differing perspective than my own.

Earlier today, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Vancouver to begin the Western Canada portion of his Diamond Jubilee visit. Shortly after his arrival, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the Honourable John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, who extended a warm welcome and congratulated him on his Diamond Jubilee.

Premier Horgan and Hazar Imam spoke about the Ismaili community's spirit of service and pluralism, and how this is an ideal reflection of the strength that diversity has brought to British Columbia.

Earlier this evening, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, hosted a dinner at Rideau Hall in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee.

Guests included Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, past Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien and Joe Clark, and past Governors General David Johnston and Adrienne Clarkson, as well as Jamati and AKDN leaders.

There are two living world leaders who have celebrated their Diamond Jubilee – 60 years in office. One is Her Majesty The Queen and the other is His Highness Aga Khan. Both assumed their duties at an early age – the Queen at the age of 26 and the Aga Khan at the tender age of 20, while still an undergraduate at Harvard University. John Diefenbaker had just become prime minister of Canada.
The Governor-General of Canada, Julie Payette, is hosting a dinner at Rideau Hall on Wednesday to mark this anniversary and the occasion of His Highness’s official Jubilee visit to Canada.

His Highness the Aga Khan is visiting Canada this month as part of an international celebration of his 60th, or “Diamond Jubilee,” anniversary as spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims. I’ll be delighted to join past and present Canadian leaders of all political stripes in celebrations of his remarkable six decades of leadership.

OTTAWA, May 1, 2018 /CNW/ - His Highness the Aga Khan arrived in Ottawa today as part of an international celebration of his Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years as spiritual leader of the global Shia Ismaili Muslim community. The visit takes place at the invitation of the Government of Canada and includes an official dinner at Rideau Hall on May 2, hosted by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, the Governor General of Canada, meetings of the Global Centre for Pluralism; and community gatherings in Vancouver and Calgary.

OTTAWA – The Aga Khan is in Ottawa this week and is expected to share a meal with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his visit.

The Aga Khan is in town over the next four days to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee, according to Global Affairs Canada. On Wednesday, the Aga Khan will attend a dinner at the Governor General’s residence, Rideau Hall, and Trudeau will be in attendance, the Prime Minister's Office has confirmed.

Members of Calgary’s Ismaili Muslim community are preparing for a visit from the Aga Khan next month.
The spiritual leader will be in Calgary from May 9 to 11 as part of a visit to Canada to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee anniversary.

The Aga Khan will visit Ottawa from May 1 to 4, including attending a dinner at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General, and will also visit Vancouver as part of the trip.

Volunteer Tasneem Rahim said the visit to Alberta is “a very significant occasion for Canada and the community.”