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

As I began to write this column, I googled the word “Islam” for a snapshot of news coverage about the only religion that is now growing faster than the world’s population.

It was only after 10 pages, and about 100 stories, one appeared with a positive tone. The rest, as you can guess, were about terrorism, war, hate, blasphemy and extremism.

But there is another side to Islam, one we rarely see, read or hear about. One that inspires with pluralism, humanitarianism and action framed in ethical service and unrelenting philanthropy.

OTTAWA, July 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Imamat Day:

"Shia Ismaili Muslims gather today in Canada and around the world to celebrate the diamond jubilee of their 49th hereditary Imam and spiritual leader, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

"Since becoming Imam in 1957, the Aga Khan has used his role to advance global humanitarian causes, helping to support sustainable development and poverty reduction projects and enhance civil society and education around the world.

OTTAWA, July 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Imamat Day:

"Shia Ismaili Muslims gather today in Canada and around the world to celebrate the diamond jubilee of their 49th hereditary Imam and spiritual leader, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

"Since becoming Imam in 1957, the Aga Khan has used his role to advance global humanitarian causes, helping to support sustainable development and poverty reduction projects and enhance civil society and education around the world.

Hazar Imam waves to Murids who had gathered outside during the Museum opening 2014-09-12
This day was also the 77th birthday of Prince Amyn Aga Khan

NEWS RELEASE
AGA KHAN FOUNDATION CANADA
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The Together truck is driving change across Canada – and on July 13, 2017 it rolls into Sault Ste. Marie.

The award-winning Together: An exhibition on global development is an interactive, bilingual experience for all ages, highlighting Canadian contributions to positive change around the world. Visitors are invited to climb aboard and explore a custom-built truck with 1,000 square feet of exhibition space.

Islamic-inspired garden is driving transformation at University of Alberta Botanic Garden
By Helen Metella on July 6, 2017

With construction of the huge Aga Khan Garden approaching the halfway mark, the site looks like one might imagine the Great Pyramids did as they were assembled.

Hazar Imam at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto 2004-06-18

Hazar Imam receives Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from University of Alberta

Some politicians are focusing a great deal of attention on "Canadian values", particularly as they pertain to immigration.

There's an almost hysterical fear that if Canada permits people to move here who don't share these "values", which are rarely defined, then somehow the country will go down the drain.

The foremost purveyor of this idea in national politics has been former Conservative cabinet minister Kellie Leitch. She received a blizzard of free publicity from the media in her campaign to lead her party.

The Aga Khan, left, and Stephen Harper look over a model of the Aga Khan Centre and Museum yesterday, which will be built in Toronto by 2013.

Hazar Imam with Prime Minister Stephen Harper 2017-05-29

Earlier this month in Ottawa, the Global Centre for Pluralism officially opened its doors. The centre is a partnership between the Aga Khan and the government of Canada and is yet another important example of the bridge-building he has spearheaded along with support for important humanitarian causes in Canada and in the global south. The many institutions the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims and his community have supported in Canada and around the world are shining examples of service to the community and the less fortunate.

The spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims met with Premier Kathleen Wynne during a visit to Queen’s Park Monday

Your Highness, Your Eminence and Chancellor, Praeses, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

I am honoured to present today His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. His Highness is also of course an honorary citizen of this country, a person whose many contributions and connections to Canadian life and society we extend with today’s ceremony.

Photo of the Trustees of the Global Center for Pluralism with His Highness the Aga Khan in Ottawa, Canada on May 16, 2017

His Highness the Aga Khan delivers his remarks at the inauguration of the international headquarters of the Global Centre of Pluralism.

AKDN / Moez Visram

Bismillah-ir-Rahaman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellency the Governor General
Madame la Ministre
Excellencies
Fellow Directors of the Global Centre for Pluralism
Friends of the Centre

What a great day this is for all of us. And what a special ceremony, as we honour a beautiful symbol of Canada’s rich past, and rededicate it to the great cause of a pluralistic Global future.

OTTAWA — The Aga Khan returned Tuesday to Ottawa to unveil the new headquarters of an international organization that is positioning itself as an antidote of sorts to growing strains of populism and intolerance around the world.

Board members of the Global Centre for Pluralism, including former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, singled out the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House as something that makes the centre's work even more relevant.

His Highness the Aga Khan with the Governor-General of Canada in Ottawa at the opening of the new headquarters of the Global Centre for Pluralism on Sussex Drive

AGA KHAN MUSEUM
77 Wynford Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M3C 1K1, Canada

14 October 2016

Syria: A Living History

Dear Patrons,

I am writing to you because we are on the eve of the opening of what I think can be seen as an
exceptional exhibition that the Aga Khan Museum has organized in Toronto. By creating “Syria:
A Living History”, the Museum has responded to what I believe can be deemed among the most
significant and serious events in recent years. This exhibition, and the programs around it, are