Six years ago, the Aga Khan presented architects with an unusual challenge: create for him a headquarters in Ottawa that was both transparent and translucent, pleasing and confusing, mysterious, esoteric and ethereal. The budget was impressive, and the demands were exacting.

The Aga Khan, the Ismaili Muslim spiritual leader who ended an eight-day Canadian tour in Vancouver less than two weeks ago, is back in Ottawa today to open a new architectural landmark on Sussex Drive.

I learnt much from my meeting with the Aga Khan yesterday. The present Aga Khan is the 49th Imam of the 15 million Nizari Ismaili Shias living in different parts of the world.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS STATEMENT

VISIT BY HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN
2 DECEMBER 2008

OTTAWA — The Aga Khan, the Ismaili Muslim spiritual leader, opened a new $50-million architectural landmark on Ottawa’s famed Sussex Drive on Saturday.

The new building will be a link between the spiritual dimensions of Islam and the cultures of the West, the Aga Khan said.

We members of the Citizen editorial board had the pleasure of meeting the Aga Khan a few years ago. I'm thrilled to see his new delegation open on Sussex Drive, for many reasons.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mrs. Harper
Chief Justice Beverly McLaughlin and Mr. McCardle
Madame Adrienne Clarkson and Mr. John Ralston Saul
Your Excellencies
Honourable Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Ottawa, Canada: The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building, situated at 199 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, is established by His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Unlike his father, a notorious playboy who had an eye for racehorses and Hollywood starlets, his highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV--the highness part was bestowed on him by Queen Elizabeth--has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, including the empowerment of women in Muslim society.

Spiritual leader works tirelessly for his sect and all peoples

The Muslim's spiritual leader Aga Khan greets people at the airport Sunday evening after his arrival in Calgary.

CALGARY - Calgary's close-knit Ismaili Muslim community is on pins and needles in anticipation of Sunday's visit by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader for the world's 15 million Ismailis.

With tears in his eyes and his voice quivering, Nash Jetha speaks quietly when asked why he came to see the Aga Khan's arrival Sunday night in Calgary.

"I am here for the greatest moment of my life," he answers.

What may often sound to Canadians like a discordant cacophony of voices from our diverse cultures and interest groups is apparently music to the ears of the Aga Khan.

The Western world should accept that Islam does not separate the world from
faith.

His Highness the Aga Khan is in Canada for a 10-day visit from November 18 to November 26, 2008 and returning on December 6 to officially open the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat located on Sussex Drive in Ottawa.

Toronto, Nov 20 (IANS) The Aga Khan, the spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Muslims, is on a eight-day official visit to Canada to meet his followers and the country's leaders to discuss collaboration for work in developing countries.

Special to Globe and Mail Update

Burnaby Now
A big day for Burnaby's Ismaili Muslim community is just around the corner.

The Aga Khan comes to B.C. Place Stadium Nov. 25, part of his Golden Jubilee visit.

TORONTO - Canadian Ismaili Muslims are marking a half-century of leadership of the Aga Khan, as the spiritual leader to millions around the globe embarks on an eight-day visit across the country to mark the milestone.

Officials with McMaster University and Pakistan's Aga Khan University are signing an agreement today to continue their decades-long partnership.

CALGARY --Calgary's close-knit Ismaili Muslim community is on pins and needles in anticipation of today's visit by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader for the world's 15 million Ismailis. The Aga Khan, who began his weeklong Canadian tour in Ottawa on Nov. 18, will fly into Calgary this evening.

The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says he sees real prospects for new bridges and better relations between Muslim states and the West.

It

VANCOUVER, B.C. - The leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says Canada's pluralism is a model to the world.

Hamilton - A memorandum of understanding has been signed by McMaster University and the Aga Khan University for a new stage to a 25-year collaboration which has developed international nursing schools.

The last leg of the Aga Khan's tour commemorating his golden jubilee ended yesterday in Vancouver where he thanked Canada for offering Ismaili Muslims a chance to live in a safe society.

Arrivée de l'Aga Khan lundi soir à Vancouver

The Aga Khan will visit Vancouver on Nov. 25 for a Golden Jubilee anniversary meeting with members of B.C.'s Shia Ismaili Muslim community.
'The community is very excited about having His Highness visit,' said Farid Damji, a volunteer with the Ismaili Council of B.C.

Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005.

The Aga Khan, Prince Karim, arrived in Ottawa yesterday for an eight-day visit to Canada.
The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims will meet with Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.

The Aga Khan's eight-day visit to Canada started on Tuesday.
The Aga Khan is both a major spiritual leader and the head of a $500-million-US-a-year development agency, and his eight-day visit to Canada, which began Tuesday, reflects both roles.

Huge events set for Roman Catholics, Ismaili Muslims
VANCOUVER - Two large events will be held by religious organizations downtown in the next few days, despite B.C.'s reputation as one of the most secular regions of the continent.

TORONTO - What may often sound to Canadians like a discordant cacophony of voices from our diverse cultures and interest groups is apparently music to the ears of the Aga Khan.

14,000 Ismaili Muslims expected for prayer session
Calgary's close-knit Ismaili Muslim community is on pins and needles in anticipation of today's visit by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader for the world's 15 million Ismailis.

Tomorrow (November 25) will mark an important day for the estimated 15,000 members of the Ismaili community in Vancouver as they celebrate Aga Khan

With tears in his eyes and his voice quivering, Nash Jetha speaks quietly when asked why he came to see the Aga Khan's arrival Sunday night in Calgary.
'I am here for the greatest moment of my life,' he answers.

Muslim leader says education is the key to better relations
The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says he sees real prospects for new bridges and better relations between Muslim states and the West.

Unlike his father, a notorious playboy who had an eye for racehorses and Hollywood starlets, his highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV--the highness part was bestowed on him by Queen Elizabeth--has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, including the empowerment of women in Muslim society.

She is another statistic in the Kenyan medical horror story that estimates up to 50 per cent of the country's hospital deaths are due to misdiagnosis.

The Aga Khan is the founder and head of the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of nine agencies working to improve communities and living conditions in Central and South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.

Thousands of the city's Ismaili Muslim community turned out at the Roundup Centre yesterday to hear words of wisdom and inspiration from their spiritual leader, His Royal Highness the Aga Khan.

VANCOUVER - She was only nine, but Almira Bardai remembers the day the Aga Khan came to dinner at her mother's family home. She didn't get to join the 200 or so guests, but she knew the importance of seeing the spiritual Ismaili Muslim leader.'It was really, really special,' Bardai said Tuesday.

OTTAWA – Ismaili Muslims’ spiritual leader Aga Khan, the Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) arrived in Vancouver this week as part of an 8-day visit to Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.

VANCOUVER -- The leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says Canada's pluralism is a model to the world.

The Aga Khan teaches us that truly successful societies embrace pluralism.
In many local schools, especially on Vancouver's east side, diversity and pluralism is the norm.

Q and A with the Aga Khan
The global spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims holds forth on the state of the world

Published: Friday, November 28, 2008

Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Avignon Forum on The value and importance of cultural diversity and its role in promoting peace and development

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Zwwh_tj4E

PRESS RELEASE
Media Advisory: Governor General Welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall

CANADA DIDARS DATES -

SPEECH BY H.H. PRINCE KARIM AGA KHAN
FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE THE ISMAILI JAMATKHANA AND CENTRE, KHOROG, TAJIKISTAN

Monday, 3 November 2008

Bismillahir Rahamanir Rahim