Ottawa, Vancouver And Calgary On Itinerary
Ottawa: Canada has extended congratulations to the head of the Ismaili commuunity on his Diamond Jubilee. The Aga Khan will visit Canada to celebrate this anniversary.
“While in Ottawa from May 1 to 4, 2018, His Highness will attend a dinner at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General. The Aga Khan will then continue his visit to Canada, travelling to other parts of the country, including Vancouver and Calgary,” Global Affairs Canada said.
Canada and the Ismaili Imamat have a long history of partnership with programs around the world that have a positive impact on people’s lives.
Ottawa and the community have worked together on a number of development and humanitarian initiatives that target the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, including women and girls. The Government of Canada and the Aga Khan are also partners in the Global Centre for Pluralism, which champions inclusive and accountable governance, respect for diversity and human rights.
Quick facts
• His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, a global, multi-ethnic community whose members comprise a wide diversity of cultures, languages and nationalities, and live in Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America.
• A devoted humanitarian dedicated to improving quality of life in less-developed regions of the world, the Aga Khan is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the world’s largest private development agencies.
• In recognition of his contributions to human development and improving the condition of societies globally, the Aga Khan has received numerous decorations, honorary degrees and awards, including honorary Canadian citizenship and the Order of Canada. In February 2014, His Highness the Aga Khan was the first faith leader to address a joint session of the Canadian Parliament. The Aga Khan has been a long-time partner to Canada for many decades, which dates back to the early 1970s. Many Ismailis were living in East Africa at the time when dictator Idi Amin came into power as Ugandan President and ordered the expulsion of Asian residents, including Hindus and Muslims.
Thousands of residents were told to pack up and leave Uganda, given 90 days to exit the country. A friend to Pierre Trudeau, the Aga Khan called the Canadian Prime Minister for help, and Canada opened its doors to thousands of Ismailis, the first time the nation had accepted such a large group of non-European refugees.
Since then, Ismailis from Uganda, East Africa, Central Asia, India, and Pakistan have immigrated to Canada.
Today, approximately 100,000 Ismailis call Canada home.