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

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.

H.H. The Aga Khan attends Groundbreaking of Wynford Park Complex and Receives Honourary Canadian Citizenship

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/ID=1506981949

The Aga Khan, head of the world's Ismaili Muslim community, was in Toronto to break ground for the construction of the Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture, and he also received Honourary Citizenship of Canada, an Honour greater than the Order of Canada.

Watch the video at the CBC website:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/ID=1506981949

On June 19, 2009, on the advice of the Government of Canada, the House of Commons voted to bestow Honourary Canadian Citizenship upon His Highness the Aga Khan in recognition of His Highness’s leadership as a champion of development, pluralism and tolerance around the world and of his remarkable leadership as Imam of the worldwide Shia Ismaili Muslim community.

His Highness the Aga Khan and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveil the commemorative plaque for the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture and their Park during the foundation ceremony in Toronto May 28, 2010.

Spiritual leader to Ismailis worldwide says he has always felt at home in Canada

His Highness the Aga Khan and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveil the commemorative plaque for the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture and their Park during the foundation ceremony in Toronto May 28, 2010.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has bestowed honorary Canadian citizenship upon the Aga Khan.

The Aga Khan is in Toronto today, marking the beginning of development on an Ismaili centre and the Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture.

TORONTO -- Canada has granted honorary Canadian citizenship upon the Aga Khan, a billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader of 20 million Muslims worldwide.

The Aga Khan was in Toronto on Friday to launch the development of a $285-million cultural center for Ismaili Muslims and the Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture.

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

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with His Highness the Aga Khan in Toronto to take part in the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and Park. The Imam is on an official visit to Canada from May 26-28.

“Canada is honoured to have been chosen as the site for these important institutions,” said the Prime Minister. They will serve to promote pluralism, peace and tolerance through greater understanding of Islam.”

The Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, holds his hand on his heart during the opening ceremony of the new Delegation of Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa on Saturday Dec. 6, 2008.

TORONTO — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has bestowed honorary Canadian citizenship upon the Aga Khan.

The Aga Khan is in Toronto today, marking the beginning of development on an Ismaili centre and the Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture.

Harper says the centre and museum will represent the country's pluralism and cultural diversity.

He says in a world torn by sectarian strife the importance of those values cannot be overstated.

The Aga Khan is the spiritual leader of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, generally known as Ismailis.

Toronto

1:45 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will tour the future site of the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre. He will be joined by His Highness The Aga Khan.

49 Wynford Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M3C 1J7

*Photo opportunity only (Cameras and Photographers Only)

NOTES:

* Media are required to present proper identification for accreditation.
* Media are required to use the Media Entrance off Wynford Drive. Parking is limited.
* Media are required to arrive no later than 1:15 p.m.

Toronto

As Parliament Hill readies itself to shut down for the weekend, both the prime minister and his official opposition counterpart are heading off to Toronto for the day -- separately, not convoy-style, mind you -- at least, as far as we know, although come to think of it, that really would cut down on travel costs, especially when you consider how closely aligned their respective itineraries seem to be.

OTTAWA -- Parliamentarians have voted to grant the Aga Khan honorary Canadian citizenship in what the prime minister describes as a recognition of his leadership in promoting "development, pluralism and tolerance around the world."

Honorary Canadian citizenship is bestowed by the Governor General and requires the unanimous approval of all voting MPs.

Born in Geneva, Shah Karim al-Hussayni is the fifth person to be named an honorary Canadian citizen.

Today at 12:01am

Statement

For immediate release

Statement by THE Prime Minister OF CANADA

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the House of Commons passing a motion to grant Honorary Canadian Citizenship to His Highness the Aga Khan:

“Today, on the advice of our Government, the House of Commons voted to bestow Honorary Canadian Citizenship upon His Highness the Aga Khan.

CANADA: Debates of the Senate
______________________________________________________________
2nd SESSION ● 40th PARLIAMENT ● VOLUME 146 ● NUMBER 50
____________________________________________________________

Motion to grant to His Highness the Aga Khan The Honourary Title of ‘Citizen of Canada’

(Motion Unanimously Adopted)

Statements by:

The Honourable Mobina S.B. Jaffer, Q.C.
The Honourable Consiglio DiNino
The Honourable Marcel Prud’homme, P.C.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Motion to Grant to His Highness the Aga Khan the Honourary Title of Citizen of Canada

OTTAWA (AFP) — Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday proposed extending honorary Canadian citizenship to the Aga Khan, imam of the world's Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Harper said his government would seek "the consent of the House (of Commons) to extend honorary citizenship to His Highness," and urged all parliamentarians to support the motion.

The Aga Khan, Prince Karim Al Husseini, 72, is the spiritual head of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims.

He is the forth such person to hold the post since the 19th century.

9 June, 2009, Edmonton, Canada - The University of Alberta and the Aga Khan University today signed a memorandum of understanding that advances their respective goals to increase global engagement and to promote equitable human advancement and social justice throughout the world.

Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, announces during Question Period that the government will be seeking to grant the Aga Khan honorary Canadian Citizenship.

REMARKS BY PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER OF CANADA IN PARLIAMENT IN REPONSE TO A QUESTION FROM A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT PAUL CALANDRA

September 9, 2009
Mr. Speaker
First off I think I speak on behalf of all members in congratulating His Highness the Aga Khan in receiving an Honorary Doctorate today from the University of Alberta today.