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

His Highness the Aga Khan is set to receive an Honorary Citizenship of Kampala.

The New Vision has learnt that KCCA has resolved to bestow the prestigious award to the Aga Khan during a special council meeting on Monday.

The Honorary citizenship is a status bestowed by a country on a foreign individual whom it considers to be admirable or otherwise worthy of the distinction.

Asked to explain what the award means, KCCA acting director of communication, Peter Kaujju told New Vision that the details will be revealed at a later stage.

Read the speech here:
http://ismaili.net/heritage/node/29975

Toronto, May 29 (PTI) Canada has bestowed honorary citizenship upon the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of around 20 million Muslims worldwide.

The Aga Khan was in Toronto to launch a USD 285-million cultural centre for Ismaili Muslims and the Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper conferred the honours on the spiritual leader, saying that the centre and museum will represent the country's pluralism and cultural diversity.

The Aga Khan is the spiritual leader of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, a branch of Shia Islam.

Toronto, May 29: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Friday bestowed honorary citizenship on the Aga Khan and laid the foundation stone of what would be one of the largest Muslim art and culture centres in North America.

The Aga Khan is the Imam of over 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims spread around the world.

Fri, May 28: Canada bestows one of the world's most powerful men with its highest honour.

View the Video on the canada.com website:
Not available any more, they have removed it.

Fri, May 28: Canada bestows one of the world's most powerful men with its highest honour.

View the Video on the canada.com website:
http://www.canada.com/news/videos/index.html#ccEe6bvzfkczE_WKrmxa5gwiwwC...

Prime Minister Stephen Harper bestows honorary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan.

Toronto, 28 May 2010 — His Highness the Aga Khan and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper were in Toronto today to mark the Foundation of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park situated in the city’s Don Mills area.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday conferred an honorary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan, making the billionaire descendant of the Prophet Mohammed and spiritual leader to 15 million Ismaili Muslim followers worldwide only the fifth person to be so honoured.

And though that "citizenship" is merely a symbolic gesture, if the Aga Khan (who lives in France) were to prove a model Canadian citizen, he would not be the first among his people to do so.

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

The Aga Khan, head of the world's Ismaili Muslim community, unveils plans for the Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture and Prime Minister Stephen Harper bestows the spiritual leader with honorary Canadian citizenship. Includes short interviews of attendees.

View the Video at the CBC website:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/player.html?category=News&zone=arts/artdesign&si...

CBC Second News Video:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/player.html?category=News&zone=arts/artdesign&si...

Global Toronto News VIDEO report of the Groundbreaking

2010-05-28: H.H. The Aga Khan Speaks at the Foundation Ceremony of the Wynford Park Complex after receiving Honourary citizenship from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

2010-05-28: H. H. The Aga Khan at the Foundation Ceremony of the Wynford Park Complex in Toronto.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Prime Minister Harper,
Madame Clarkson,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by expressing my profound appreciation for the great honour which this country has paid to me today by extending this generous gift of Honorary Canadian Citizenship.

I have been deeply moved by your gracious gesture — which I also regard as a tribute to the institution of the Ismaili Imamat, which I represent. It is a significant recognition of the values which our community of faith shares with the people of Canada.

For the more than 70,000 Ismaili Muslims here in Canada, the foundation ceremony for the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre today is a fitting tribute to the man who has done so much to further our understanding of Islamic art and culture – and who continues to work tirelessly on humanitarian projects around the world.

This man is a visionary. Small wonder that he and Trudeau became so close over the years, a friendship that really began when Canada welcomed thousands of Ismaili Muslims fleeing Idi Amin’s Uganda back in 1972.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff poses with H.H. The Aga Khan at the Groundbreaking ceremony.