RE: PARKING ON SAT & SUN ( Darbar DAys)
if you have received A WHITE FLAG for Parking PLEASE proceed Directly to Off site Parking ( CNE grounds) whereby there will be shuttle buses to take you to Rogers... DO NOT COME TO ROGERS, YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY, and this will cause a traffic Jam.
If you have received a YELLOW FLAG ,( this represents that you have handicap person)you can proceed to rogers and can drop off @ gate 13,
Pls respect the volunteers in Parking Duty and follow their instructions
CANADA 2008 Padhramni, Event, News and Testimonies
-
No_problem
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:47 am
Mubaraki to all the Canadian Jamat on the arrival of our beloved Hazar Imam.
There is a new video interview by Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra after receiving the Horse Of The Year and Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Filly awards. The interview is here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horser ... acing.html
There is a new video interview by Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra after receiving the Horse Of The Year and Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Filly awards. The interview is here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horser ... acing.html
Aga Khan in Canada to celebrate 50 years of leadership of Ismailis
Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
By Salim Jiwa
Vancouver Province
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
http://www.canada.com/components/print. ... 5&sponsor=
CREDIT: By Chris Wattieseen - Reuters
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005.
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.
The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims who live in large numbers in countries as diverse as Canada, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even remote corners of Tajikistan.
His arrival at Ottawa airport on Tuesday -- where he was greeted by John Baird. minister of transport and communities on behalf of the government -- prompted a jubilant gathering of Ismailis at the main mosque in Burnaby.
Those who visited the early morning celebration Tuesday said the ceremony was marked by the raising of the Canadian flag followed by the singing of "O Canada." This was followed by the raising of the Ismaili flag and the singing of the Ismaili anthem.
Tens of thousands of Ismailis from overseas have begun pouring into Canada from around the world for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his hereditary appointment as the Imam of the Ismailis.
During the Golden Jubillee celebrations, the Aga Khan, known for his philanthropic work across the length and breadth of the globe -- in particular in poor countries in Africa and Asia -- has visited 35 countries.
The Aga Khan -- hailed as a modern Muslim leader -- has branded tensions between Islamic nations and the Western world in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as a "clash of ignorance" rather than a clash of civilizations. His main emphasis has been to stress the importance of pluralism among diverse cultures.
The Aga Khan Council for Canada said in a press release that the Aga Khan -- who received the Order of Canada in 2005 -- will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
Among the many discussions with officials will be the collaborative role of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada with Canadian development agencies in promoting development in poorer countries. The AKDN's annual budget for social development is US $500 million and is used according to the creed "compassion for the vulnerable in society."
The Aga Khan will be in Vancouver next Tuesday where he will celebrate 50 years of his Imamat with thousands of his followers.
[email protected]
© Vancouver Province 2008
Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
By Salim Jiwa
Vancouver Province
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
http://www.canada.com/components/print. ... 5&sponsor=
CREDIT: By Chris Wattieseen - Reuters
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005.
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.
The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims who live in large numbers in countries as diverse as Canada, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even remote corners of Tajikistan.
His arrival at Ottawa airport on Tuesday -- where he was greeted by John Baird. minister of transport and communities on behalf of the government -- prompted a jubilant gathering of Ismailis at the main mosque in Burnaby.
Those who visited the early morning celebration Tuesday said the ceremony was marked by the raising of the Canadian flag followed by the singing of "O Canada." This was followed by the raising of the Ismaili flag and the singing of the Ismaili anthem.
Tens of thousands of Ismailis from overseas have begun pouring into Canada from around the world for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his hereditary appointment as the Imam of the Ismailis.
During the Golden Jubillee celebrations, the Aga Khan, known for his philanthropic work across the length and breadth of the globe -- in particular in poor countries in Africa and Asia -- has visited 35 countries.
The Aga Khan -- hailed as a modern Muslim leader -- has branded tensions between Islamic nations and the Western world in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as a "clash of ignorance" rather than a clash of civilizations. His main emphasis has been to stress the importance of pluralism among diverse cultures.
The Aga Khan Council for Canada said in a press release that the Aga Khan -- who received the Order of Canada in 2005 -- will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
Among the many discussions with officials will be the collaborative role of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada with Canadian development agencies in promoting development in poorer countries. The AKDN's annual budget for social development is US $500 million and is used according to the creed "compassion for the vulnerable in society."
The Aga Khan will be in Vancouver next Tuesday where he will celebrate 50 years of his Imamat with thousands of his followers.
[email protected]
© Vancouver Province 2008
Governor General Welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall
November 18, 2008
OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will officially welcome His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at 4:30 p.m.
November 18, 2008
OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will officially welcome His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at 4:30 p.m.
Update from theismaili.org
Canada visit
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Upon his arrival in Ottawa, Mawlana Hazar Imam is received by President Mohamed Manji of the Ismaili Council for Canada. The Honourable Ministers John Baird and Jason Kenney welcomed Hazar Imam on behalf of the Canadian Government. Photo: Gary Otte
This afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam landed in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa, commencing an eight-day Golden Jubilee visit to the country at the invitation of the Government of Canada.
Also see related press release at the AKDN website.
In a ceremonial welcome, which included a rendition of the Nashid al-Imamah and the Canadian national anthem, Mawlana Hazar Imam was received on behalf of the Government by the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, was joined by a delegation of Jamati leaders from the local Ismaili Councils for Ottawa and Quebec and the Maritime Provinces, in welcoming Hazar Imam on behalf of the Canadian Jamat.
Senator Mobina Jaffer and Members of Parliament Robert Oliphant, Yasmin Rattansi and Justin Trudeau were also among the dignitaries gathered at the airport to receive Mawlana Hazar Imam.
From the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam drove by Lansdowne Park, where the Ottawa Jamat had gathered to welcome him. Hazar Imam smiled and waved at the assembled crowd, before proceeding to the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat along Sussex Drive. He visited the new building, in anticipation of its official opening in early December.
Additional photos are available in the gallery. Further details on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Canada will continue to be posted at TheIsmaili.org.
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/622/Canada-visit
Canada visit
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Upon his arrival in Ottawa, Mawlana Hazar Imam is received by President Mohamed Manji of the Ismaili Council for Canada. The Honourable Ministers John Baird and Jason Kenney welcomed Hazar Imam on behalf of the Canadian Government. Photo: Gary Otte
This afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam landed in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa, commencing an eight-day Golden Jubilee visit to the country at the invitation of the Government of Canada.
Also see related press release at the AKDN website.
In a ceremonial welcome, which included a rendition of the Nashid al-Imamah and the Canadian national anthem, Mawlana Hazar Imam was received on behalf of the Government by the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, was joined by a delegation of Jamati leaders from the local Ismaili Councils for Ottawa and Quebec and the Maritime Provinces, in welcoming Hazar Imam on behalf of the Canadian Jamat.
Senator Mobina Jaffer and Members of Parliament Robert Oliphant, Yasmin Rattansi and Justin Trudeau were also among the dignitaries gathered at the airport to receive Mawlana Hazar Imam.
From the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam drove by Lansdowne Park, where the Ottawa Jamat had gathered to welcome him. Hazar Imam smiled and waved at the assembled crowd, before proceeding to the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat along Sussex Drive. He visited the new building, in anticipation of its official opening in early December.
Additional photos are available in the gallery. Further details on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Canada will continue to be posted at TheIsmaili.org.
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/622/Canada-visit
Aga Khan in Canada to celebrate 50 years of leadership of Ismailis
Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
By Salim Jiwa
Vancouver Province
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.
The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims who live in large numbers in countries as diverse as Canada, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even remote corners of Tajikistan.
His arrival at Ottawa airport on Tuesday -- where he was greeted by John Baird. minister of transport and communities on behalf of the government -- prompted a jubilant gathering of Ismailis at the main mosque in Burnaby.
Those who visited the early morning celebration Tuesday said the ceremony was marked by the raising of the Canadian flag followed by the singing of "O Canada." This was followed by the raising of the Ismaili flag and the singing of the Ismaili anthem.
Tens of thousands of Ismailis from overseas have begun pouring into Canada from around the world for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his hereditary appointment as the Imam of the Ismailis.
During the Golden Jubillee celebrations, the Aga Khan, known for his philanthropic work across the length and breadth of the globe -- in particular in poor countries in Africa and Asia -- has visited 35 countries.
The Aga Khan -- hailed as a modern Muslim leader -- has branded tensions between Islamic nations and the Western world in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as a "clash of ignorance" rather than a clash of civilizations. His main emphasis has been to stress the importance of pluralism among diverse cultures.
The Aga Khan Council for Canada said in a press release that the Aga Khan -- who received the Order of Canada in 2005 -- will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
Among the many discussions with officials will be the collaborative role of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada with Canadian development agencies in promoting development in poorer countries. The AKDN's annual budget for social development is US $500 million and is used according to the creed "compassion for the vulnerable in society."
The Aga Khan will be in Vancouver next Tuesday where he will celebrate 50 years of his Imamat with thousands of his followers.
[email protected]
© Vancouver Province 2008
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/n ... d8e0ba2c15
Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
By Salim Jiwa
Vancouver Province
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.
The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims who live in large numbers in countries as diverse as Canada, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even remote corners of Tajikistan.
His arrival at Ottawa airport on Tuesday -- where he was greeted by John Baird. minister of transport and communities on behalf of the government -- prompted a jubilant gathering of Ismailis at the main mosque in Burnaby.
Those who visited the early morning celebration Tuesday said the ceremony was marked by the raising of the Canadian flag followed by the singing of "O Canada." This was followed by the raising of the Ismaili flag and the singing of the Ismaili anthem.
Tens of thousands of Ismailis from overseas have begun pouring into Canada from around the world for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his hereditary appointment as the Imam of the Ismailis.
During the Golden Jubillee celebrations, the Aga Khan, known for his philanthropic work across the length and breadth of the globe -- in particular in poor countries in Africa and Asia -- has visited 35 countries.
The Aga Khan -- hailed as a modern Muslim leader -- has branded tensions between Islamic nations and the Western world in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as a "clash of ignorance" rather than a clash of civilizations. His main emphasis has been to stress the importance of pluralism among diverse cultures.
The Aga Khan Council for Canada said in a press release that the Aga Khan -- who received the Order of Canada in 2005 -- will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
Among the many discussions with officials will be the collaborative role of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada with Canadian development agencies in promoting development in poorer countries. The AKDN's annual budget for social development is US $500 million and is used according to the creed "compassion for the vulnerable in society."
The Aga Khan will be in Vancouver next Tuesday where he will celebrate 50 years of his Imamat with thousands of his followers.
[email protected]
© Vancouver Province 2008
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/n ... d8e0ba2c15
Media advisory - His Highness the Aga Khan to visit Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee
<<
18th-25th November 2008
>>
OTTAWA, Nov. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) arrives in Ottawa today at the start of an 8-day visit to Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The Aga Khan, who is in Canada as a guest of the Government, is commemorating his fifty years of leadership as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. He will be met by The Honourable John Baird, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on behalf of the Government of Canada.
During the visit, His Highness will be welcomed by Her Excellency the
Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada and will meet with senior government officials to discuss areas of active collaboration between Canada and the AKDN.
The Aga Khan will travel to Toronto, where he will meet with The
Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario. He will also preside over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University (AKU), which has campuses and programmes in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
During his stay in Calgary, the Aga Khan will meet with The Honourable
Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta; Dr. Indira Samarasekera, the President of the University of Alberta, and Dr. Carl Amrhein, Provost and Vice President.
In Vancouver, the Aga Khan will meet with the Mayor of the City of
Burnaby, His Worship Derek Corrigan, as well as The Honourable Gordon
Campbell, Premier of British Columbia.
The Aga Khan will meet and address gatherings of the Ismaili community in each city.
His Highness is scheduled to return to Ottawa for the official
inauguration of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building on Sussex Drive, on December 6, 2008. The Delegation will serve a representational role for the activities of the Imamat including the AKDN, and will mark a new phase in the Imamat's partnership with Canada.
The Aga Khan Development Network has a long-standing relationship with Canada and Canadians. Over the past 25 years, the AKDN, particularly through Aga Khan Foundation Canada, has collaborated with a diverse set of institutions, including universities, government departments, the private sector and civil society organizations, to bring the best of Canada's human, intellectual and technical resources to bear on the challenges of the developing world.
<<
18th-25th November 2008
>>
OTTAWA, Nov. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) arrives in Ottawa today at the start of an 8-day visit to Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The Aga Khan, who is in Canada as a guest of the Government, is commemorating his fifty years of leadership as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. He will be met by The Honourable John Baird, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on behalf of the Government of Canada.
During the visit, His Highness will be welcomed by Her Excellency the
Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada and will meet with senior government officials to discuss areas of active collaboration between Canada and the AKDN.
The Aga Khan will travel to Toronto, where he will meet with The
Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario. He will also preside over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University (AKU), which has campuses and programmes in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
During his stay in Calgary, the Aga Khan will meet with The Honourable
Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta; Dr. Indira Samarasekera, the President of the University of Alberta, and Dr. Carl Amrhein, Provost and Vice President.
In Vancouver, the Aga Khan will meet with the Mayor of the City of
Burnaby, His Worship Derek Corrigan, as well as The Honourable Gordon
Campbell, Premier of British Columbia.
The Aga Khan will meet and address gatherings of the Ismaili community in each city.
His Highness is scheduled to return to Ottawa for the official
inauguration of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building on Sussex Drive, on December 6, 2008. The Delegation will serve a representational role for the activities of the Imamat including the AKDN, and will mark a new phase in the Imamat's partnership with Canada.
The Aga Khan Development Network has a long-standing relationship with Canada and Canadians. Over the past 25 years, the AKDN, particularly through Aga Khan Foundation Canada, has collaborated with a diverse set of institutions, including universities, government departments, the private sector and civil society organizations, to bring the best of Canada's human, intellectual and technical resources to bear on the challenges of the developing world.
Today in all JamatKhanas there was khushyally to celebrate the arrival of our Lord in Canada. There was sherbat and cake followed by a video presentation of the glorious arrival of Mowlana Hazar Imam in Ottawa. All the members of the Jamats are in elevated spirits in anticipation of the momentous event.
Videos of the flag raising ceremony in Darkhana Vancouver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auEbzcmrgOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_oir-I4yeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GwkYQiZrz0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKCSJMBfxbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKCSJMBfxbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1GvSd9KE_Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auEbzcmrgOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_oir-I4yeg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GwkYQiZrz0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKCSJMBfxbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKCSJMBfxbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1GvSd9KE_Q
Thanks you for sharing this.No_problem wrote:Mubarak to all.
theismaili.org has posted this wonderful video of Mawlana Hazar Imam's arrival in Ottawa.
http://www.theismaili.org/?id=632
I was not able to go to JK yesterday and was sad that I had missed it.
-
salmanali786
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:10 pm
I have an Travelodge room available in Toronto. Below are the details. I have change in plans. Any one interested please contact me. If any seniors you know are traveling please let me know as this could be a good location for them.
Check-in: Saturday, Nov 22, 2008, 1 p.m.
Check-out: Sunday, Nov 23, 2008, 11 a.m.
Status: Confirmed
Travelodge Toronto Downtown West
621 King St W
Toronto, ON M5V1M5 CA
Distance from Deedar Site : 0.7 Miles.
By Walk : 14 Mins
Property Info:
http://www.travelodge.com/Travelodge/co ... o&variant=
Check-in: Saturday, Nov 22, 2008, 1 p.m.
Check-out: Sunday, Nov 23, 2008, 11 a.m.
Status: Confirmed
Travelodge Toronto Downtown West
621 King St W
Toronto, ON M5V1M5 CA
Distance from Deedar Site : 0.7 Miles.
By Walk : 14 Mins
Property Info:
http://www.travelodge.com/Travelodge/co ... o&variant=
Aga Khan to address Ismaili community here
Don Cayo
Vancouver Sun
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
CREDIT: Chris Mikula, Canwest News Service, Files
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.
As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75,000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden Jubilee.
These events are being held in Ottawa, where his visit began on Tuesday, as well as Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, where the visit ends next Wednesday.
As founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the world's largest non-governmental development agency, he also has a series of high-level meetings with Canadian leaders and institutions.
In addition to a formal welcome from Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, he is to meet in Ottawa with senior government officials to discuss continued collaboration between Canada and the AKDN. Over 25 years the network, primarily through Aga Foundation Canada, has worked with Canadian universities and government departments as well as both private sector and civil society organizations to tackle challenges in the developing world.
In Toronto, the Aga Khan is to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. He will also sign a memorandum of understanding between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University, which has campuses and programs in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
In Calgary he will meet Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta.
In Vancouver he is to meet B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.
The Aga Khan was a 20-year-old Harvard University student when he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957. In the 50 years that followed, he has led his followers through some difficult times and has built the AKDN into a leading development organization.
Most of Canada's Ismaili Muslim families arrived here in the 1970s, a time of turmoil in the countries where they were born, particularly in East Africa.
Today, those countries they left are among the 25 worldwide that are the focus of AKDN-supported development initiatives.
[email protected]
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
Don Cayo
Vancouver Sun
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
CREDIT: Chris Mikula, Canwest News Service, Files
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.
As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75,000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden Jubilee.
These events are being held in Ottawa, where his visit began on Tuesday, as well as Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, where the visit ends next Wednesday.
As founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the world's largest non-governmental development agency, he also has a series of high-level meetings with Canadian leaders and institutions.
In addition to a formal welcome from Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, he is to meet in Ottawa with senior government officials to discuss continued collaboration between Canada and the AKDN. Over 25 years the network, primarily through Aga Foundation Canada, has worked with Canadian universities and government departments as well as both private sector and civil society organizations to tackle challenges in the developing world.
In Toronto, the Aga Khan is to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. He will also sign a memorandum of understanding between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University, which has campuses and programs in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
In Calgary he will meet Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta.
In Vancouver he is to meet B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.
The Aga Khan was a 20-year-old Harvard University student when he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957. In the 50 years that followed, he has led his followers through some difficult times and has built the AKDN into a leading development organization.
Most of Canada's Ismaili Muslim families arrived here in the 1970s, a time of turmoil in the countries where they were born, particularly in East Africa.
Today, those countries they left are among the 25 worldwide that are the focus of AKDN-supported development initiatives.
[email protected]
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
Re: DEEDAR AND INTERNALIZING YOUR FAITH AS I HAVE EXPERINCED
Another thing to add -jeeshanali wrote:As received
Ya ali miadad
We are going to be blessed very soon with Hazer Imam’s Deedar in Canada and I wanted to share my personal experience with you
The following points will help you to start preparing your soul to be in the presence of Hazer Imam. This is what we call Intezar or Yearning to be close to Imam. (Nov.08)
An important preamble to remember is that Mowla too prepares His Nur before entering the Durbar and as a result, His presence in the Deedar hall is different from that of other times. You will also notice that as He enters the hall, the aura will be charged with the power of His Nur.
During the first few minutes of His walk in the Deedar hall, He will be blessing every murid who will begin to feel His presence. This sets the love and the bond with the Imam because every one is included in His Glance. He may be keeping His left hand to His hip which symbolically means He is guarding the Sword of Zulfikar. This is the sword of His Office, Peace and Justice.
1. While in the presence of the Imam, recite Salwat quietly and continuously in your heart. Salwat is to seek Allah’s blessings on Prophet Mohamed and his progeny. Hazer Imam is the progeny and eventually Allah’s blessings come back upon us.
2. You will often see Mowla nodding; this is the time to ask for Salamati of Iman, good health, spiritual guidance, peace, good deeds, Seva and for all your wishes to be granted.
3. When asking for your wishes to be granted do understand what you are asking for and make sure you state that it should according to the wish of Allah.
4. Ask for forgiveness of each individual moment or occasion you believe you should be forgiven for.
5. Say Shukhrana for every good thing that is in your life and has occurred in your life.
6. Think of all the family members and Jamati members that are not present. Remember them by name.
7. Think of all the Ruhani family members by names that have passed on.
8. Think of the friends and others people who came into your lives that have given you joy and any one you want forgiveness from, by name if you remember their name.
9. Say a Salwat for every handicapped, ill, in difficulty and dying as some day some one may do the same for you.
10. Alternately with the Salwat, remember your BOL. This ISME AZAM is your “short cut” to reaching the Nur of Imam.
11. Carry your favorite Tasbih with you. I have carried the same one for the past 40 years to each Deedar.
12. In order to remember the experience you will have at the Deedar time, take a snap- shot of your favorite moment in His presence and internalize it deeply. In this way whenever you want to be in His presence, for example while doing your Bandagi; remember that snap-shot moment and He will be with you.
13. Remember that the moment of Deedar is the closest you will come to imagining what AMRA PURI (Heaven) is in terms of human intelligence.
14. Deedar is not just for this moment in your worldly life but it is in fact for the upliftment of your soul entrusted to you by Allah for the next world.
15. Separation from Mowla, as in physical terms, is the Murid’s greatest sorrow. This is why when you are in His thoughts, Zikar, you will be in His presence again.
16. Murids of Imam are always in the thought of the next world when we will experience Fannah Fillah i.e. oneness with Allah.
17. The symbolism of the recitation of Ginan, Koran Ayat, Khilat, Niaj, pledge of loyalty etc. have very important and deep significance for the Jamat and are a always explained at the time of Deedar Intezar.
We as individuals have to strive in our own ways to obtain deep, satisfying meaning from the Deedar through this spiritual journey. I pray that you will have your own profound experience in the presence of our Imam.
This has been my experience and I wanted to share it with you.
Regards/Rahim
Give the sawaab of your darbar to the Global Jamat.
Shams
-
salmanali786
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:10 pm
I forgot to add that you can have the room for free.. only condition is that pray for Aunt when you see khudawand. My aunt is really really sick. Thanks
salmanali786 wrote:I have an Travelodge room available in Toronto. Below are the details. I have change in plans. Any one interested please contact me. If any seniors you know are traveling please let me know as this could be a good location for them.
Check-in: Saturday, Nov 22, 2008, 1 p.m.
Check-out: Sunday, Nov 23, 2008, 11 a.m.
Status: Confirmed
Travelodge Toronto Downtown West
621 King St W
Toronto, ON M5V1M5 CA
Distance from Deedar Site : 0.7 Miles.
By Walk : 14 Mins
Property Info:
http://www.travelodge.com/Travelodge/co ... o&variant=
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sodabottlecanopnerwala
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:21 pm
Dear Salman Ali,
First of all, let me mention how much I enjoyed the recently deleted heartfelt post you wrote earlier in this forum. Second, I will not be requiring the hotel room (I'm staying at the Crowne Plaza Airport, 2 blocks from the gorgeous Jamatkhana at 100 Skyway), but I will indeed keep your aunty in my thoughts and prayers during our Sovereign Shah Karim al-Husayni's (S.A.S.) Darbar. I also pray for her, as well as for all Ismailis in a similar predicament, that may Hazar Imam bless them with His Noorani Didor...ameen.
ya Ali madad and Darbar Mubarak to everybody.
First of all, let me mention how much I enjoyed the recently deleted heartfelt post you wrote earlier in this forum. Second, I will not be requiring the hotel room (I'm staying at the Crowne Plaza Airport, 2 blocks from the gorgeous Jamatkhana at 100 Skyway), but I will indeed keep your aunty in my thoughts and prayers during our Sovereign Shah Karim al-Husayni's (S.A.S.) Darbar. I also pray for her, as well as for all Ismailis in a similar predicament, that may Hazar Imam bless them with His Noorani Didor...ameen.
ya Ali madad and Darbar Mubarak to everybody.
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sodabottlecanopnerwala
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:21 pm
@Nishams @No_problem: The person Khudaveend repeatedly embraces in the video is Justin Trudeau [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Trudeau ], the son of the late Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau.
I'm sure we will now have the pleasure of seeing plenty more of him n the national and international scene.
)
I'm sure we will now have the pleasure of seeing plenty more of him n the national and international scene.
)Update from theismaili.org
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Mawlana Hazar Imam with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall. Photo: Gary Otte
This afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam called on Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall. She warmly welcomed Hazar Imam to Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.
Mawlana Hazar Imam then visited Parliament Hill where he met with the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism.
In the evening, Mawlana Hazar Imam attended a working dinner with the Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation and Margaret Biggs, President of the Canadian International Development Agency.
Additional photos are available in the gallery. Also see the video of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in Ottawa. Further details on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Canada will continue to be posted at TheIsmaili.org.
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/622/Canada-visit
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Mawlana Hazar Imam with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall. Photo: Gary Otte
This afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam called on Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall. She warmly welcomed Hazar Imam to Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.
Mawlana Hazar Imam then visited Parliament Hill where he met with the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism.
In the evening, Mawlana Hazar Imam attended a working dinner with the Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation and Margaret Biggs, President of the Canadian International Development Agency.
Additional photos are available in the gallery. Also see the video of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in Ottawa. Further details on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Canada will continue to be posted at TheIsmaili.org.
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/622/Canada-visit
BC welcomes the Aga Khan
Wed, November 19 2008
A current of electrified excitement is crackling through British Columbia’s Ismaili community as the arrival in Vancouver of His Highness the Aga Khan fast approaches.
The Aga Khan is visiting Canada as part of a global tour to mark his Golden Jubilee year, the 50th anniversary of his ascension to Imam, or spiritual leader, to 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims worldwide.
The Aga Khan arrives in Vancouver Tuesday, and is expected to meet with Premier Gordon Campbell and other dignitaries and politicians before addressing a gathering of some 30,000 Ismailis at BC Place.
“The feeling is fantastic - everyone has been waiting for this for the longest time, said Rafiq Chinoy, owner of Vancouver’s Universal Travel.
“Seeing him and being with him is a big thing,” added Chinoy. “We never know when we will ever get the chance again. It’s the event of a lifetime for us.”
Ismailis are coming from far and wide to share a stadium with their community and its leader.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of going with my family,” said Nashina Devji, a crown attorney who will be travelling from her home in Penticton to attend the mass gathering.
“I saw the Aga Khan when he was last in Vancouver in 2005,” added the 31-year-old Ismaili. “It was amazing. It was spectacular. It was a really moving and exciting time. This is the Aga Khan’s Jubilee year, so this will be an even more significant event for the community.”
Rahim Talib, 35, is the owner and operator of Port Coquitlam-based dairy processing firm, Meadow Fresh Dairy Products.
“Are you kidding me?!” he said when asked if he will be taking his wife Christine and their two toddlers to BC Place on Tuesday afternoon.
Talib said the Aga Khan’s universal message of generosity, compassion, pluralism, tolerance, and respect are values he endeavours to weave through every aspect of his own life.
“As a new parent, as a husband and father, these are the values that I want in my family,” he said. “I believe the incredible contribution His Highness has made to improving the quality of life of those who are less fortunate, without consideration of their race, genders, culture or religion, is not only something Ismailis respect, but something all Canadians can admire,” he added.
While in Canada, the Aga Khan will meet with federal government officials, provincial leaders and civic representatives to discuss the international development initiatives that constitute his Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of philanthropic agencies that works tirelessly across the human development spectrum - from the promotion of cultural awareness and the preservation of historic sites, to housing, water and sanitation, rural development and micro-credit for the world’s ultra-poor.
The Aga Khan’s Jubilee address at BC Place is expected to draw a who’s-who of B.C. business leaders, dignitaries and politicians.
“This is a real celebration for all British Columbians,” said NDP leader, Carole James, who participates each year in Vancouver’s Aga Khan Foundation Partnership Walk, a charity event that has raised nearly $40 million across Canada.
“This is an individual who has done humanitarian work around the world to help people out of a cycle of poverty,” added James. “But also this a community whose culture and strengths, particularly when it comes to our economy, have helped build B.C.”
The Aga Khan became Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. He is the 49th hereditary Imam and, Ismaili’s firmly believe, a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
His visit to Canada began Monday in Ottawa. The Aga Khan will visit Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
“As the Minister Responsible or Multiculturalism in British Columbia, I want to congratulate the Aga Khan and the Aga Khan Foundation on their commitment to creating the best communities possible to raise our families,” said B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal.
Said Liberal MLA John Nuraney: “The Aga Khan’s philanthropic work is world renown and his passion to work in the developing countries in the areas of education, health-care, culture and improving the quality of life is well recognized. We are all looking forward, with great anticipation, to his visit.”
Political luminary Grace McCarthy, former senior cabinet minister with B.C.’s Social Credit Party, praised the Aga Khan’s contribution to the health and education of poor children in rural areas of Asia and East Africa.
“A visit to Vancouver by the Aga Khan on his Golden Jubilee is an honour for Canada, and specifically for so many Ismaili families who have contributed to our economy and cultural growth in British Columbia,” said McCarthy.
Penticton lawyer Nashina Devji said the Aga Khan touches the lives of his follows in uniquely personal ways.
“It is about peace, serenity, spending time with each other,” she said. “It’s really an opportunity to look at how young Canadians, young Ismailis, can make a contribution.”
For his part, Rahim Talib has been busy with Jubilee preparations.
Inspired by the Aga Khan’s “ethic of volunteerism,” Talib is preparing 22,000 servings of creamy iced sherbet for the gathering.
“We’ve got about 20 volunteers working hard to open 8,000 evaporated milk cans because we can’t find bulk evaporated milk,” he said.
Talib will deliver the festive drinks in his fleet of refrigerated trucks.
“Like the Aga Khan, we definitely believe in giving back to the community,” he said. “Still, 8,000 cans is a lot of cans to open.”
50 Years in Canada
1952: First Ismaili to settle in Canada was Safar Ali Ismaily.
1960: Small numbers of Ismaili professionals and entrepreneurs arrive in Canada
1972: Thousands of Ismailis arrive in Canada from Uganda and Tanzania following political upheaval
1973: The Council for Canada and Ismaili Association for Canada are established
1978: The Aga Khan makes his first Jamati visit to Canada and meets with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
1980: Aga Khan Foundation Canada is established
1983: Aga Khan visits the Canadian Jamat during his Silver Jubilee
1984: First AKF Partnership Walk held in Vancouver, has since raised $37 million across Canada
1985: PM Brian Mulroney and the Aga Khan open the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Burnaby
1987: Murad Velshi is the first Ismaili to be elected to a provincial legislature (Ontario)
1992: Aga Khan visits the Canadian Jamat in five major centres
1993: Nurjehan Mawani of Ottawa, the first Ismaili (and Muslim) to be given Order of Canada
1994: Ismaili M.G. Vassanji receives the Giller Prize for his novel, The Book of Secrets
1997: Rahim Jaffer becomes the first Ismaili elected to Parliament (Strathcona, Edmonton)
2000: Aga Khan attends former PM Trudeau’s funeral; serves as honorary pallbearer
2000: B.C.’s Sheni Dossa is the first Ismaili appointed a judge in Canada
2001: Jean Chretien appoints Mobina Jaffer to the Senate; first Ismaili senator in
Canada
2002: Aga Khan visits Canada, establishes Aga Khan Museum and Global Centre for Pluralism
2004: Yasmin Ratansi (Don Valley East) first Ismaili female MP
2005: Aga Khan visits Vancouver; CIDA announces $13.5 million partnership with AKF Canada
2006: Aga Khan and Canada sign fundraising agreement for Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa
2008: Aga Khan returns to Vancouver and other Canadian centres in his Golden Jubilee year
By Mata Press Service
http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2 ... an.do.html
Wed, November 19 2008
A current of electrified excitement is crackling through British Columbia’s Ismaili community as the arrival in Vancouver of His Highness the Aga Khan fast approaches.
The Aga Khan is visiting Canada as part of a global tour to mark his Golden Jubilee year, the 50th anniversary of his ascension to Imam, or spiritual leader, to 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims worldwide.
The Aga Khan arrives in Vancouver Tuesday, and is expected to meet with Premier Gordon Campbell and other dignitaries and politicians before addressing a gathering of some 30,000 Ismailis at BC Place.
“The feeling is fantastic - everyone has been waiting for this for the longest time, said Rafiq Chinoy, owner of Vancouver’s Universal Travel.
“Seeing him and being with him is a big thing,” added Chinoy. “We never know when we will ever get the chance again. It’s the event of a lifetime for us.”
Ismailis are coming from far and wide to share a stadium with their community and its leader.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of going with my family,” said Nashina Devji, a crown attorney who will be travelling from her home in Penticton to attend the mass gathering.
“I saw the Aga Khan when he was last in Vancouver in 2005,” added the 31-year-old Ismaili. “It was amazing. It was spectacular. It was a really moving and exciting time. This is the Aga Khan’s Jubilee year, so this will be an even more significant event for the community.”
Rahim Talib, 35, is the owner and operator of Port Coquitlam-based dairy processing firm, Meadow Fresh Dairy Products.
“Are you kidding me?!” he said when asked if he will be taking his wife Christine and their two toddlers to BC Place on Tuesday afternoon.
Talib said the Aga Khan’s universal message of generosity, compassion, pluralism, tolerance, and respect are values he endeavours to weave through every aspect of his own life.
“As a new parent, as a husband and father, these are the values that I want in my family,” he said. “I believe the incredible contribution His Highness has made to improving the quality of life of those who are less fortunate, without consideration of their race, genders, culture or religion, is not only something Ismailis respect, but something all Canadians can admire,” he added.
While in Canada, the Aga Khan will meet with federal government officials, provincial leaders and civic representatives to discuss the international development initiatives that constitute his Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of philanthropic agencies that works tirelessly across the human development spectrum - from the promotion of cultural awareness and the preservation of historic sites, to housing, water and sanitation, rural development and micro-credit for the world’s ultra-poor.
The Aga Khan’s Jubilee address at BC Place is expected to draw a who’s-who of B.C. business leaders, dignitaries and politicians.
“This is a real celebration for all British Columbians,” said NDP leader, Carole James, who participates each year in Vancouver’s Aga Khan Foundation Partnership Walk, a charity event that has raised nearly $40 million across Canada.
“This is an individual who has done humanitarian work around the world to help people out of a cycle of poverty,” added James. “But also this a community whose culture and strengths, particularly when it comes to our economy, have helped build B.C.”
The Aga Khan became Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. He is the 49th hereditary Imam and, Ismaili’s firmly believe, a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
His visit to Canada began Monday in Ottawa. The Aga Khan will visit Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
“As the Minister Responsible or Multiculturalism in British Columbia, I want to congratulate the Aga Khan and the Aga Khan Foundation on their commitment to creating the best communities possible to raise our families,” said B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal.
Said Liberal MLA John Nuraney: “The Aga Khan’s philanthropic work is world renown and his passion to work in the developing countries in the areas of education, health-care, culture and improving the quality of life is well recognized. We are all looking forward, with great anticipation, to his visit.”
Political luminary Grace McCarthy, former senior cabinet minister with B.C.’s Social Credit Party, praised the Aga Khan’s contribution to the health and education of poor children in rural areas of Asia and East Africa.
“A visit to Vancouver by the Aga Khan on his Golden Jubilee is an honour for Canada, and specifically for so many Ismaili families who have contributed to our economy and cultural growth in British Columbia,” said McCarthy.
Penticton lawyer Nashina Devji said the Aga Khan touches the lives of his follows in uniquely personal ways.
“It is about peace, serenity, spending time with each other,” she said. “It’s really an opportunity to look at how young Canadians, young Ismailis, can make a contribution.”
For his part, Rahim Talib has been busy with Jubilee preparations.
Inspired by the Aga Khan’s “ethic of volunteerism,” Talib is preparing 22,000 servings of creamy iced sherbet for the gathering.
“We’ve got about 20 volunteers working hard to open 8,000 evaporated milk cans because we can’t find bulk evaporated milk,” he said.
Talib will deliver the festive drinks in his fleet of refrigerated trucks.
“Like the Aga Khan, we definitely believe in giving back to the community,” he said. “Still, 8,000 cans is a lot of cans to open.”
50 Years in Canada
1952: First Ismaili to settle in Canada was Safar Ali Ismaily.
1960: Small numbers of Ismaili professionals and entrepreneurs arrive in Canada
1972: Thousands of Ismailis arrive in Canada from Uganda and Tanzania following political upheaval
1973: The Council for Canada and Ismaili Association for Canada are established
1978: The Aga Khan makes his first Jamati visit to Canada and meets with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
1980: Aga Khan Foundation Canada is established
1983: Aga Khan visits the Canadian Jamat during his Silver Jubilee
1984: First AKF Partnership Walk held in Vancouver, has since raised $37 million across Canada
1985: PM Brian Mulroney and the Aga Khan open the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Burnaby
1987: Murad Velshi is the first Ismaili to be elected to a provincial legislature (Ontario)
1992: Aga Khan visits the Canadian Jamat in five major centres
1993: Nurjehan Mawani of Ottawa, the first Ismaili (and Muslim) to be given Order of Canada
1994: Ismaili M.G. Vassanji receives the Giller Prize for his novel, The Book of Secrets
1997: Rahim Jaffer becomes the first Ismaili elected to Parliament (Strathcona, Edmonton)
2000: Aga Khan attends former PM Trudeau’s funeral; serves as honorary pallbearer
2000: B.C.’s Sheni Dossa is the first Ismaili appointed a judge in Canada
2001: Jean Chretien appoints Mobina Jaffer to the Senate; first Ismaili senator in
Canada
2002: Aga Khan visits Canada, establishes Aga Khan Museum and Global Centre for Pluralism
2004: Yasmin Ratansi (Don Valley East) first Ismaili female MP
2005: Aga Khan visits Vancouver; CIDA announces $13.5 million partnership with AKF Canada
2006: Aga Khan and Canada sign fundraising agreement for Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa
2008: Aga Khan returns to Vancouver and other Canadian centres in his Golden Jubilee year
By Mata Press Service
http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2 ... an.do.html
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salmanali786
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:10 pm
The Aga Khan builds a better world
"His Highness the Aga Khan may not rule a country, but his nation knows no boundary.
He may not have an army. But his soldiers are everywhere fighting poverty, without regard to faith, origin or gender."
Two year-old Rose Mwaka had her foot amputated last August after an intern misdiagnosed her illness and gave her the wrong injection.
She is another statistic in the Kenyan medical horror story that estimates up to 50 per cent of the deaths in hospitals are due to misdiagnosis.
In the village of Kiboje, on Unguja Island, Zanzibar, Riziki Emmanuel is a five year old who cannot use her legs. Her impoverished parents have always carried her around because they have been unable to afford the crutches to help Riziki move on her own and go to school.
Like many of the poor in Northern Pakistan, Sifat Gul’s family survived on less than $1 a day. The roof of her home leaked during the rains and her children had no education. Her husband did odd jobs and traditions barred her from working outside the home.
Today, thanks to a humanitarian called the Aga Khan, hope has taken root in the lives of Rose, Riziki and Sifat.
While Rose is getting the medical attention she needs, The Aga Khan University Hospital is developing a system to capture community healthcare data from the grassroots level in Kenya. The plan involves connecting all hospitals in Kenya with the Internet, to help doctors make informed diagnoses before they administer any drugs.
Riziki’s life has changed and today she can count, sing songs, narrate stories, and draw pictures. The Aga Khan Foundation of Canada helped build a preschool in her village and her father brings her to class on his bicycle every day. Riziki is thriving.
As for Sifat Gul, a US$30 loan from The First MicroFinanceBank, a part of the Aga Khan Development Network, got her a sewing machine which she has turned into a thriving business. Today her two daughters and son are studying in a private school while she runs a tailoring program for illiterate girls in the area.
These triumphs over adversity are but a small reflection of how the Aga Khan and his global network of private, non-denominational development agencies are working all over the world to eradicate social problems.
His Highness the Aga Khan may not rule a country, but his nation knows no boundary.
He may not have an army. But his soldiers are everywhere fighting poverty, without regard to faith, origin or gender.
This is one side of Islam we seldom see in the wake of the negativity that has engulfed the Muslim world.
Celebrating his Golden Jubilee as the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan brings his message of pluralism, peace and prosperity to Canada this week.
It’s a familiar story for us, one we too often take for granted.
Canada, built on a foundation of inclusiveness, shines as a beacon in a world of increasing discord and intolerance, the Aga Khan says.
Pluralism, he says, is a deliberate set of choices that a society must make if it is to avoid costly conflict and harness the power of its diversity in solving human problems.
“Canada has an experience of governance of which much of the world stands in dire need,” he writes in his latest book, Where Hope Takes Root.
The Aga Khan, by his words and actions, challenges us to learn from our past and use our present to make a better tomorrow.
It is a challenge we should all accept.
http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2 ... ld.do.html
He may not have an army. But his soldiers are everywhere fighting poverty, without regard to faith, origin or gender."
Two year-old Rose Mwaka had her foot amputated last August after an intern misdiagnosed her illness and gave her the wrong injection.
She is another statistic in the Kenyan medical horror story that estimates up to 50 per cent of the deaths in hospitals are due to misdiagnosis.
In the village of Kiboje, on Unguja Island, Zanzibar, Riziki Emmanuel is a five year old who cannot use her legs. Her impoverished parents have always carried her around because they have been unable to afford the crutches to help Riziki move on her own and go to school.
Like many of the poor in Northern Pakistan, Sifat Gul’s family survived on less than $1 a day. The roof of her home leaked during the rains and her children had no education. Her husband did odd jobs and traditions barred her from working outside the home.
Today, thanks to a humanitarian called the Aga Khan, hope has taken root in the lives of Rose, Riziki and Sifat.
While Rose is getting the medical attention she needs, The Aga Khan University Hospital is developing a system to capture community healthcare data from the grassroots level in Kenya. The plan involves connecting all hospitals in Kenya with the Internet, to help doctors make informed diagnoses before they administer any drugs.
Riziki’s life has changed and today she can count, sing songs, narrate stories, and draw pictures. The Aga Khan Foundation of Canada helped build a preschool in her village and her father brings her to class on his bicycle every day. Riziki is thriving.
As for Sifat Gul, a US$30 loan from The First MicroFinanceBank, a part of the Aga Khan Development Network, got her a sewing machine which she has turned into a thriving business. Today her two daughters and son are studying in a private school while she runs a tailoring program for illiterate girls in the area.
These triumphs over adversity are but a small reflection of how the Aga Khan and his global network of private, non-denominational development agencies are working all over the world to eradicate social problems.
His Highness the Aga Khan may not rule a country, but his nation knows no boundary.
He may not have an army. But his soldiers are everywhere fighting poverty, without regard to faith, origin or gender.
This is one side of Islam we seldom see in the wake of the negativity that has engulfed the Muslim world.
Celebrating his Golden Jubilee as the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan brings his message of pluralism, peace and prosperity to Canada this week.
It’s a familiar story for us, one we too often take for granted.
Canada, built on a foundation of inclusiveness, shines as a beacon in a world of increasing discord and intolerance, the Aga Khan says.
Pluralism, he says, is a deliberate set of choices that a society must make if it is to avoid costly conflict and harness the power of its diversity in solving human problems.
“Canada has an experience of governance of which much of the world stands in dire need,” he writes in his latest book, Where Hope Takes Root.
The Aga Khan, by his words and actions, challenges us to learn from our past and use our present to make a better tomorrow.
It is a challenge we should all accept.
http://www.asianpacificpost.com/portal2 ... ld.do.html
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jeeshanali
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am
Volunteers,
Ya Ali Madat Volunteers,
As received
We are in need of volunteers tomorrow in the following locations:
LUNCH BOX ASSEMBLE – ROGERS CENTRE. If you're available, please go directly
to Rogers Centre during the day and report to Gate # 3.
KITCHEN: Randhan committee needs help in cooking. 1677 Wilson Avenue, Days
Inn. Please contact Nazira Shivji at 416-471-8905 if you are available to
help out.
PARKING: We need 100 volunteers for Saturday night and Sunday night. Please
visit Volunteers Reception Centre at Direct Energy Centre - Hall B (Suite
107)
If you wish to do any other duties please come and visit us at Volunteers
Reception Centre at Direct Energy Centre - Hall B (Suite 107)
Hope you create lots of Golden Memories and have a Memorable Zaheri Deedar
With Regards,
---
HR Team Eastern Darbar
Regards/Rahim
As received
We are in need of volunteers tomorrow in the following locations:
LUNCH BOX ASSEMBLE – ROGERS CENTRE. If you're available, please go directly
to Rogers Centre during the day and report to Gate # 3.
KITCHEN: Randhan committee needs help in cooking. 1677 Wilson Avenue, Days
Inn. Please contact Nazira Shivji at 416-471-8905 if you are available to
help out.
PARKING: We need 100 volunteers for Saturday night and Sunday night. Please
visit Volunteers Reception Centre at Direct Energy Centre - Hall B (Suite
107)
If you wish to do any other duties please come and visit us at Volunteers
Reception Centre at Direct Energy Centre - Hall B (Suite 107)
Hope you create lots of Golden Memories and have a Memorable Zaheri Deedar
With Regards,
---
HR Team Eastern Darbar
Regards/Rahim
-
alinizar_313
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:17 pm
What to do at the time of Deedar (Zaheri)
After preparing ourselves for the deedar, we should fully concentrate on what to do at the time of deedar. Once Prophet Moses went to Koh-e-Toor and asked, “Oh God! Bless me with your deedar.” God replied and said that first you should bless with the deedar of Noor-e-Ali then you would be able to do my deedar.
“Deedar of Murtaza Ali is the same as deedar of Allah” (Firman)
“Deedar of Imam’s face is the deedar of God” (Pir Shahbuddin Shah)
Before the arrival of Hazar Imam for Deedar and when we leave our home for deedar, we should pre-occupy ourselves with constant remeberance of Ya Ali or Ya Allah. But this should not be the mental remembrance but a remembrance of the heart for it is the heart, which holds the higher consciousness of the self because this practice of remembrance is a way of awakening the consciousness of the self and at the same time guides us away from the consciousness of the ego and thus becoming aware of our inner union with Imam whom we love.
When Mowla bless us with his deedar and with our Faith (Iman) of Ali-Allah, the Imam showers his blessings by uttering the word “Khanavadan”. At that time every murid should make them ready to listen to those words and absorb in their heart. It is just like blowing the word “Qun”(Be) in one’s ears. During this time there should be complete silence so that everyone can listen the word “Khanavadan”. If someone doesn’t listen those words, then he or she can listen those words during Mowla’s firman or Irshad. The time we listen “Khanavadan”, we should open our physical eyes and look at the face Mubarak of Hazar Imam and if possible try to see in Imam’ eyes and intend to pray that Ya Mowla, as I can’t remove my eyes (sight) away from your face, similarly when you leave me physically, your face (Zati swroop) in the form of your sacred Name will remain in my dhiyana and in my heart. We should also have the feelings that Imam’s face is Allah’s face. Then we should close our eyes and busy ourselves in his remembrance either of our ‘Bol’ or ‘Ya Ali’ or ‘Ya Allah’. By that we can experience both Batini and Noorani deedar as well.
“deedari hovey so dil bandhey, din din adka neh dherey,
Ek men hoker Nam levey, so piyon ka dershen kerey.
It means one who bless with deedar, will keep himself in Zikr and day-by-day, he will fill fimself full of his love and that is called deedar of Beloved.
If we go to deedar with this feelings then our object of going for deedar will be fulfilled.
Firman regarding the deedar
“Do not think that your Mowla sits on the chair, we resides in the heart of my Haqiqati Momin.
“Al-Hamdulillah, you are blessed with my deedar right now but Haqiqi deedar is in your heart.”
“Hazar Imam never present physically all the time but you should think him present.”
“Even though we are leaving you physically but in Batin we are constantly with you.”
“If your faith (Iman) is true, we will be nearer to you.”
“We are always with you. The moment you remember us, we are present (Hazar) with you. We are in your heart.”
May Mowla bless us with his Noorani Deedar. Aameen.
Nizar Ali.
After preparing ourselves for the deedar, we should fully concentrate on what to do at the time of deedar. Once Prophet Moses went to Koh-e-Toor and asked, “Oh God! Bless me with your deedar.” God replied and said that first you should bless with the deedar of Noor-e-Ali then you would be able to do my deedar.
“Deedar of Murtaza Ali is the same as deedar of Allah” (Firman)
“Deedar of Imam’s face is the deedar of God” (Pir Shahbuddin Shah)
Before the arrival of Hazar Imam for Deedar and when we leave our home for deedar, we should pre-occupy ourselves with constant remeberance of Ya Ali or Ya Allah. But this should not be the mental remembrance but a remembrance of the heart for it is the heart, which holds the higher consciousness of the self because this practice of remembrance is a way of awakening the consciousness of the self and at the same time guides us away from the consciousness of the ego and thus becoming aware of our inner union with Imam whom we love.
When Mowla bless us with his deedar and with our Faith (Iman) of Ali-Allah, the Imam showers his blessings by uttering the word “Khanavadan”. At that time every murid should make them ready to listen to those words and absorb in their heart. It is just like blowing the word “Qun”(Be) in one’s ears. During this time there should be complete silence so that everyone can listen the word “Khanavadan”. If someone doesn’t listen those words, then he or she can listen those words during Mowla’s firman or Irshad. The time we listen “Khanavadan”, we should open our physical eyes and look at the face Mubarak of Hazar Imam and if possible try to see in Imam’ eyes and intend to pray that Ya Mowla, as I can’t remove my eyes (sight) away from your face, similarly when you leave me physically, your face (Zati swroop) in the form of your sacred Name will remain in my dhiyana and in my heart. We should also have the feelings that Imam’s face is Allah’s face. Then we should close our eyes and busy ourselves in his remembrance either of our ‘Bol’ or ‘Ya Ali’ or ‘Ya Allah’. By that we can experience both Batini and Noorani deedar as well.
“deedari hovey so dil bandhey, din din adka neh dherey,
Ek men hoker Nam levey, so piyon ka dershen kerey.
It means one who bless with deedar, will keep himself in Zikr and day-by-day, he will fill fimself full of his love and that is called deedar of Beloved.
If we go to deedar with this feelings then our object of going for deedar will be fulfilled.
Firman regarding the deedar
“Do not think that your Mowla sits on the chair, we resides in the heart of my Haqiqati Momin.
“Al-Hamdulillah, you are blessed with my deedar right now but Haqiqi deedar is in your heart.”
“Hazar Imam never present physically all the time but you should think him present.”
“Even though we are leaving you physically but in Batin we are constantly with you.”
“If your faith (Iman) is true, we will be nearer to you.”
“We are always with you. The moment you remember us, we are present (Hazar) with you. We are in your heart.”
May Mowla bless us with his Noorani Deedar. Aameen.
Nizar Ali.
SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SECTION
TO MARK THE VISIT OF HIS HIGHNESS
THE AGA KHAN TO B.C.
A Messenger of Peace
PUBLICATIONS: The South Asian Post
The Asian Pacific Post
PUBLICATION DATE: Nov. 27, 2008
The award winning Asian Pacific Post and the South Asian Post will be publishing a special commemorative section to honour the visit of His Highness the Aga Khan to Canada.
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader to the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims, will be in Canada as part of a series of visits around the world to mark his Golden Jubilee year - the 50th anniversary of his becoming Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
CONTACTS:
Publisher - Harbinder Singh Sewak
Executive Editor - Jagdeesh Mann
Managing Editor - Michael Roberts
Office: 604.821.1954
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
TO MARK THE VISIT OF HIS HIGHNESS
THE AGA KHAN TO B.C.
A Messenger of Peace
PUBLICATIONS: The South Asian Post
The Asian Pacific Post
PUBLICATION DATE: Nov. 27, 2008
The award winning Asian Pacific Post and the South Asian Post will be publishing a special commemorative section to honour the visit of His Highness the Aga Khan to Canada.
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader to the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims, will be in Canada as part of a series of visits around the world to mark his Golden Jubilee year - the 50th anniversary of his becoming Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
CONTACTS:
Publisher - Harbinder Singh Sewak
Executive Editor - Jagdeesh Mann
Managing Editor - Michael Roberts
Office: 604.821.1954
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
The Canadian Press
Governor General Michaelle Jean, right, welcomes the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. The Aga Khan is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
1 hour ago
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.
The Aga Khan, imam to 15 million Ismaili Muslims, including between 80,000 to 100,000 in Canada, will meet with government leaders and dignitaries as he commemorates the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.
The Aga Khan met Wednesday with Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean at Rideau Hall. He is slated to next visit Toronto to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
He will head west next week, first to Calgary to meet with Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta, followed by a stop in Vancouver to meet British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby, B.C., Mayor Derek Corrigan, whose city is home to a sizable Ismaili community.
The Aga Khan will also meet and address gatherings of the Ismaili community to discuss the nature of the work he is doing with Canada, how the community has evolved and where he sees it going, said Amir Karim, a Montreal volunteer with the Aga Khan Council for Canada.
"He will give guidance on and direction on how we should practise our faith, how we should live, and how we should basically understand what's going on around the world from a broader perspective, whether it's economic, social, and some of major trends that we're seeing at the moment."
Born in Switzerland and now residing in France, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims - generally known as the Ismailis - in 1957 at age 20 following his grandfather's death.
Beyond his role as spiritual leader, he is known for his work helping to improve the lives of those in developing nations through the Aga Khan Development Network, which he founded more than 40 years ago.
The network has forged a long-standing relationship with Canada, which has seen AKDN, particularly through Aga Khan Foundation Canada, a charitable organization, collaborate with universities, government departments, civil society organizations and the private sector in providing various resources to help developing nations.
One such example involves Hamilton's McMaster University, which worked with the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan to bring the first international standard school of nursing to that part of the world, said Khalil Shariff, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation Canada.
The Aga Khan will preside over the signing of a memorandum of understanding between McMaster and AKU during his visit to Toronto.
In October 2006, the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Imam and Ottawa would each contribute $30 million to a new Global Centre for Pluralism, a think-tank and research facility to be housed in the old Canadian War Museum.
"I think he understands that all the work he does in international development and addressing the great issues of our day as part of the mandate of his office," Shariff said.
"He has often said that he has to be concerned not only with the spiritual welfare of the Ismaili community but also about the quality of their lives and the quality of the lives of the people among who they live globally, and so this has led him to be concerned with the great questions of peace and development in our times."
The migration of Ismaili Muslims to Canada included two big waves of settlement: the first, in the 1970s, saw the expulsion of Ismailis from east African nations; the second, in the early 1990s, saw many Ismaili refugees arrive in Canada from Afghanistan, Karim said.
During both waves, the Aga Khan was instrumental in ensuring the community being displaced was able to resettle promptly and effectively and that Canada would welcome them, he said.
"For community members here who have made Canada their home, who have prospered here, who live here, who have settled here permanently, this is a period for them to express their gratitude and their love for their imam or their spiritual leader, for all the guidance and direction he's been giving them, including bringing the community here," Karim said.
The Aga Khan is slated to return to Ottawa on Dec. 6 for the official inauguration of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building, which will house the offices of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and be involved in working with the Canadian government on efforts to assist developing nations in Asia and Africa.
The commemoration of his Golden Jubilee officially ends Dec. 13.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadi ... gAsVDOd1jA
Governor General Michaelle Jean, right, welcomes the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. The Aga Khan is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
1 hour ago
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.
The Aga Khan, imam to 15 million Ismaili Muslims, including between 80,000 to 100,000 in Canada, will meet with government leaders and dignitaries as he commemorates the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.
The Aga Khan met Wednesday with Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean at Rideau Hall. He is slated to next visit Toronto to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
He will head west next week, first to Calgary to meet with Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta, followed by a stop in Vancouver to meet British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby, B.C., Mayor Derek Corrigan, whose city is home to a sizable Ismaili community.
The Aga Khan will also meet and address gatherings of the Ismaili community to discuss the nature of the work he is doing with Canada, how the community has evolved and where he sees it going, said Amir Karim, a Montreal volunteer with the Aga Khan Council for Canada.
"He will give guidance on and direction on how we should practise our faith, how we should live, and how we should basically understand what's going on around the world from a broader perspective, whether it's economic, social, and some of major trends that we're seeing at the moment."
Born in Switzerland and now residing in France, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims - generally known as the Ismailis - in 1957 at age 20 following his grandfather's death.
Beyond his role as spiritual leader, he is known for his work helping to improve the lives of those in developing nations through the Aga Khan Development Network, which he founded more than 40 years ago.
The network has forged a long-standing relationship with Canada, which has seen AKDN, particularly through Aga Khan Foundation Canada, a charitable organization, collaborate with universities, government departments, civil society organizations and the private sector in providing various resources to help developing nations.
One such example involves Hamilton's McMaster University, which worked with the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan to bring the first international standard school of nursing to that part of the world, said Khalil Shariff, CEO of Aga Khan Foundation Canada.
The Aga Khan will preside over the signing of a memorandum of understanding between McMaster and AKU during his visit to Toronto.
In October 2006, the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Imam and Ottawa would each contribute $30 million to a new Global Centre for Pluralism, a think-tank and research facility to be housed in the old Canadian War Museum.
"I think he understands that all the work he does in international development and addressing the great issues of our day as part of the mandate of his office," Shariff said.
"He has often said that he has to be concerned not only with the spiritual welfare of the Ismaili community but also about the quality of their lives and the quality of the lives of the people among who they live globally, and so this has led him to be concerned with the great questions of peace and development in our times."
The migration of Ismaili Muslims to Canada included two big waves of settlement: the first, in the 1970s, saw the expulsion of Ismailis from east African nations; the second, in the early 1990s, saw many Ismaili refugees arrive in Canada from Afghanistan, Karim said.
During both waves, the Aga Khan was instrumental in ensuring the community being displaced was able to resettle promptly and effectively and that Canada would welcome them, he said.
"For community members here who have made Canada their home, who have prospered here, who live here, who have settled here permanently, this is a period for them to express their gratitude and their love for their imam or their spiritual leader, for all the guidance and direction he's been giving them, including bringing the community here," Karim said.
The Aga Khan is slated to return to Ottawa on Dec. 6 for the official inauguration of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building, which will house the offices of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and be involved in working with the Canadian government on efforts to assist developing nations in Asia and Africa.
The commemoration of his Golden Jubilee officially ends Dec. 13.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadi ... gAsVDOd1jA
Aga Khan on eight-day visit to Canada
November 20th, 2008 - 1:43 pm ICT by IANS -
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.The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded by him, is the world's largest non-governmental organisation (NGO), spending about $500 million a year on poverty alleviation and education development programmes in developing countries.
The Aga Khan or Maulana Hazar Imam, as he is known among his followers, was officially received when landed in the capital, Ottawa Tuesday.
Among those who received him at the airport were Canada's transport minister John Baird, immigration minister Jason Kenney, Senator Mobina Jaffer and MPs Justin Trudeau and Yasmin Rattansi.
During his visit, the imam of the world's Ismaili Muslims will also visit Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary to address his followers and meet premiers of various provinces.
The Aga Khan's visit to Canada marks the golden jubilee of his imamhood of his estimated 15 to 30 million followers worldwide.
He had succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957 while he was still a 20-year-old student at Harvard University.
The 75,000-strong Ismaili community in Canada wields an influence which is way beyond its numbers.
Most Ismailis - who have come mostly from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya - have established themselves in businesses and professions like law, medicine, and politics.
Rahim Jaffer, a Ugandan-born Ismaili, was elected as Canada's first Muslim MP in 1997.
Mobina Jaffer, who also came from Uganda with her family, is Canada's first senator of South Asian origin, nominated to the Canadian Upper House in 2001.
An Ismaili of Gujarati origin, she is also a very successful lawyer in Vancouver.
-----------------
Aga Khan to address Ismaili community here
Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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.
As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75,000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden Jubilee.
These events are being held in Ottawa, where his visit began on Tuesday, as well as Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, where the visit ends next Wednesday.
-----------------
The Aga Khan's eight-day visit to Canada started on Tuesday.
Chris Mikula, Canwest News Service, Files
As founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the world's largest non-governmental development agency, he also has a series of high-level meetings with Canadian leaders and institutions.
In addition to a formal welcome from Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, he is to meet in Ottawa with senior government officials to discuss continued collaboration between Canada and the AKDN. Over 25 years the network, primarily through Aga Foundation Canada, has worked with Canadian universities and government departments as well as both private sector and civil society organizations to tackle challenges in the developing world.
In Toronto, the Aga Khan is to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. He will also sign a memorandum of understanding between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University, which has campuses and programs in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
In Calgary he will meet Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta.
In Vancouver he is to meet B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.
The Aga Khan was a 20-year-old Harvard University student when he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957. In the 50 years that followed, he has led his followers through some difficult times and has built the AKDN into a leading development organization.
Most of Canada's Ismaili Muslim families arrived here in the 1970s, a time of turmoil in the countries where they were born, particularly in East Africa.
Today, those countries they left are among the 25 worldwide that are the focus of AKDN-supported development initiatives.
[email protected]
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news ... 90ab6d9b4c
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall on 19 November 2008.
Aga Khan in Canada to celebrate 50 years of leadership of Ismailis
Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
By Salim Jiwa, Vancouver Province
Published: Tuesday, November 18
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.
The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims who live in large numbers in countries as diverse as Canada, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even remote corners of Tajikistan.
His arrival at Ottawa airport on Tuesday -- where he was greeted by John Baird. minister of transport and communities on behalf of the government -- prompted a jubilant gathering of Ismailis at the main mosque in Burnaby.
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005. View Larger Image View Larger Image
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005.
By Chris Wattieseen - Reuters
During the Golden Jubillee celebrations, the Aga Khan, known for his philanthropic work across the length and breadth of the globe -- in particular in poor countries in Africa and Asia -- has visited 35 countries.
The Aga Khan -- hailed as a modern Muslim leader -- has branded tensions between Islamic nations and the Western world in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as a "clash of ignorance" rather than a clash of civilizations. His main emphasis has been to stress the importance of pluralism among diverse cultures.
The Aga Khan Council for Canada said in a press release that the Aga Khan -- who received the Order of Canada in 2005 -- will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell. Rideau Hall press office said the meeting between the Aga Khan and the Governor General will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
Among the many discussions with officials will be the collaborative role of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada with Canadian development agencies in promoting development in poorer countries. The AKDN's annual budget for social development is US $500 million and is used according to the creed "compassion for the vulnerable in society."
The Aga Khan will be in Vancouver next Tuesday where he will celebrate 50 years of his Imamat with thousands of his followers.
[email protected]
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/n ... d8e0ba2c15
© Vancouver Province 2008
-----------------------
November 20th, 2008 - 1:43 pm ICT by IANS -
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.The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded by him, is the world's largest non-governmental organisation (NGO), spending about $500 million a year on poverty alleviation and education development programmes in developing countries.
The Aga Khan or Maulana Hazar Imam, as he is known among his followers, was officially received when landed in the capital, Ottawa Tuesday.
Among those who received him at the airport were Canada's transport minister John Baird, immigration minister Jason Kenney, Senator Mobina Jaffer and MPs Justin Trudeau and Yasmin Rattansi.
During his visit, the imam of the world's Ismaili Muslims will also visit Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary to address his followers and meet premiers of various provinces.
The Aga Khan's visit to Canada marks the golden jubilee of his imamhood of his estimated 15 to 30 million followers worldwide.
He had succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957 while he was still a 20-year-old student at Harvard University.
The 75,000-strong Ismaili community in Canada wields an influence which is way beyond its numbers.
Most Ismailis - who have come mostly from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya - have established themselves in businesses and professions like law, medicine, and politics.
Rahim Jaffer, a Ugandan-born Ismaili, was elected as Canada's first Muslim MP in 1997.
Mobina Jaffer, who also came from Uganda with her family, is Canada's first senator of South Asian origin, nominated to the Canadian Upper House in 2001.
An Ismaili of Gujarati origin, she is also a very successful lawyer in Vancouver.
-----------------
Aga Khan to address Ismaili community here
Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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.
As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75,000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden Jubilee.
These events are being held in Ottawa, where his visit began on Tuesday, as well as Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, where the visit ends next Wednesday.
-----------------
The Aga Khan's eight-day visit to Canada started on Tuesday.
Chris Mikula, Canwest News Service, Files
As founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the world's largest non-governmental development agency, he also has a series of high-level meetings with Canadian leaders and institutions.
In addition to a formal welcome from Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, he is to meet in Ottawa with senior government officials to discuss continued collaboration between Canada and the AKDN. Over 25 years the network, primarily through Aga Foundation Canada, has worked with Canadian universities and government departments as well as both private sector and civil society organizations to tackle challenges in the developing world.
In Toronto, the Aga Khan is to meet Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. He will also sign a memorandum of understanding between McMaster University and the Aga Khan University, which has campuses and programs in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
In Calgary he will meet Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong and officials from the University of Alberta.
In Vancouver he is to meet B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.
The Aga Khan was a 20-year-old Harvard University student when he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, in 1957. In the 50 years that followed, he has led his followers through some difficult times and has built the AKDN into a leading development organization.
Most of Canada's Ismaili Muslim families arrived here in the 1970s, a time of turmoil in the countries where they were born, particularly in East Africa.
Today, those countries they left are among the 25 worldwide that are the focus of AKDN-supported development initiatives.
[email protected]
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news ... 90ab6d9b4c
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall on 19 November 2008.
Aga Khan in Canada to celebrate 50 years of leadership of Ismailis
Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
By Salim Jiwa, Vancouver Province
Published: Tuesday, November 18
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.
The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims who live in large numbers in countries as diverse as Canada, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even remote corners of Tajikistan.
His arrival at Ottawa airport on Tuesday -- where he was greeted by John Baird. minister of transport and communities on behalf of the government -- prompted a jubilant gathering of Ismailis at the main mosque in Burnaby.
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005. View Larger Image View Larger Image
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005.
By Chris Wattieseen - Reuters
During the Golden Jubillee celebrations, the Aga Khan, known for his philanthropic work across the length and breadth of the globe -- in particular in poor countries in Africa and Asia -- has visited 35 countries.
The Aga Khan -- hailed as a modern Muslim leader -- has branded tensions between Islamic nations and the Western world in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as a "clash of ignorance" rather than a clash of civilizations. His main emphasis has been to stress the importance of pluralism among diverse cultures.
The Aga Khan Council for Canada said in a press release that the Aga Khan -- who received the Order of Canada in 2005 -- will meet with Governor General Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell. Rideau Hall press office said the meeting between the Aga Khan and the Governor General will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
Among the many discussions with officials will be the collaborative role of the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada with Canadian development agencies in promoting development in poorer countries. The AKDN's annual budget for social development is US $500 million and is used according to the creed "compassion for the vulnerable in society."
The Aga Khan will be in Vancouver next Tuesday where he will celebrate 50 years of his Imamat with thousands of his followers.
[email protected]
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/n ... d8e0ba2c15
© Vancouver Province 2008
-----------------------
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, officially welcomed His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.
Photo Information
Date: November 19, 2008
Photographer: MCpl Jean-François Néron, Rideau Hall
Photo Number: GG2008-0361-007
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, officially welcomed His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.
Photo Information
Date: November 19, 2008
Photo Number: GG2008-0361-001
More on:
http://www.gg.ca/media/pho/index_e.asp? ... Sequence=5
The Aga Khan: faith and action
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... mment/home
ADRIENNE CLARKSON
Special to Globe and Mail Update
November 20, 2008 at 11:35 PM EST
My interest in His Highness the Aga Khan, and in his vision, dates back to 1957. Then, as a young university student, I read about Prince Karim, who had suddenly inherited his grandfather's mantle as the imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismailis. His grandfather had been a remarkable figure of worldwide renown. The young prince was still a student at Harvard, and I remember thinking, "How does he feel about inheriting this enormous responsibility as the leader of the Ismailis at the age of 20?"
In the early 1970s, I was well aware of the Ismailis who were fleeing East Africa and of our reception of thousands of them here in Canada. I was always grateful that our country, under the leadership of Pierre Trudeau, welcomed these people, who had found themselves in an extremely difficult and dangerous situation in the countries that they had called home.
When I became governor-general of Canada in 1999, I met a number of Ismailis in prominent positions in Ottawa and Toronto, and later in many other cities across Canada. But it was not until 2002 that I met His Highness, during one of his visits to Ottawa. Immediately, I was deeply impressed by this soft-spoken man who had given nearly five decades of his life to bettering society in very practical and meaningful ways. His contributions to education, health and cultural revitalization through architecture and town planning in the developing world were without equal. I was very happy to meet him several more times throughout my years in Ottawa and to participate in the Foundation Ceremony of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in June, 2005.
I remember the day of the ceremony well. Tents had been erected over the area where the guests were seated, and flowers had been planted to create a garden atmosphere and a sense of beauty and lightness. In my exchanges with His Highness that day, I felt very much that our country could not have a more useful or meaningful relationship. The Aga Khan understands profoundly what Canada is all about and what a diverse society can accomplish if it is built on awareness of difference and relaxed understanding.
The Aga Khan is not just a spiritual leader. As imam, he is responsible both for leading the interpretation of the faith and for helping to improve quality of life for all in the wider communities where Ismailis live. This dual obligation is often, I think, quite difficult to appreciate from the Christian viewpoint of the role that church leaders are expected to perform. In Islam, the worlds of faith and action, of ethical premise and society, are treated together. The Aga Khan sees his responsibilities as encompassing a strong commitment to the well-being and dignity of all human beings, regardless of faith, origin or gender.
The intersection of faith and society has led to initiatives that, over the past 50 years, have made a profound difference in the developing world. The Aga Khan Development Network has improved the lives of some of the world's poorest, most deprived and most diverse populations.
The Aga Khan realizes that no effective development can happen without the precondition of a healthy civil society. Only a strong civil society can help sustain real change for both rural populations, which are geographically isolated, and the urban poor, who are similarly marginalized from the social, economic and political life of their wider society.
The second precondition for successful development is something for which the Aga Khan and his development network are now increasingly well known: a commitment to pluralism. The efforts of the Imamat have had a pervasive effect, over the past decade particularly, in making the world understand how society must support people of different backgrounds and interests to organize themselves in diverse institutions for a variety of purposes - all in the context of a creative free expression. Pluralism is as important as human rights in ensuring peace, democracy and a better quality of life.
In his speeches, the Aga Khan points out how the rejection of pluralism has helped to incite hatred and conflict among many cultures, nations and religions. This has occurred in places as varied as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These sad examples show us that pluralism is critical to peaceful, harmonious understanding. The Aga Khan understands, too, that pluralism does not happen by accident but is the product of enlightened education, moral and material investment by governments and the recognition by all of our common humanity.
As His Highness recognizes, Canada is very open to these ideas. Eighty per cent of Canadians believe it a good thing that we are a diverse population. In this, we may be unique in the world. It is a happy situation for us to have communities of people who are educated, are confident in their identity in Canada and feel assured of the depth of both their own traditions and those of the people who share their institutions and governmental structures.
In his public utterances, the Aga Khan shows great subtlety of mind. He has been the inspiring founder of universities and colleges, because education is one of the democratic pillars he recognizes. He exhorts people everywhere to train leaders and to shape institutions using the highest standards of excellence. His sensitivity to formal learning alerts us that education is not the promulgation of dogmatic commitment or ideological choices. Instead, as he emphasizes, scientific problem-solving must exist side by side with a continued openness to new questions.
Memorably, His Highness asserts that the deplorably fashionable phrase "clash of civilizations" is really a "clash of ignorance." This ignorance is both historical and current, and he is unequivocal in his belief that it could have been avoided through more dialogue and understanding between the Judeo-Christian and Muslim worlds.
I find His Highness's belief in what democracy can do to be most inspiring of all. He understands the need for us to be flexible in supporting the diverse institutions that make up democratic life. He is clear eyed and decisive about the breakdown in democratic institutions such as parliaments, which often lack an efficient structure and human capacities to grapple with complexity. Above all, he understands that democracy can only come about through education and awareness. Finally, His Highness identifies the need to strengthen public integrity as the sound foundation on which democracy can rest. It is not simply governments that make democracy work; the most successful democracies are those in which the non-governmental institutions of a diverse civil society play a vital role.
Again and again, the Aga Khan returns to the need for respect and co-operation between Islamic and Western peoples. The Koran tells us that mankind is a "single soul created by a single Creator" - something that differentiates humans from other forms of life. His Highness also speaks meaningfully about the need to maintain a profound humility before the Divine. With this kind of humility, we can turn away from dogma and approach each other as human beings, meeting on a field of respect without anger, without discrimination and without preconceptions.
Humility that will lead us away from self-righteousness and ready-made ideology and open us to genuine religious feeling, in its most positive form.
Adrienne Clarkson is a former governor-general of Canada. This is adapted from the introduction to Where Hope Takes Root, by His Highness the Aga Khan, and reprinted by the permission of Douglas & McIntyre.
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ADRIENNE CLARKSON
Special to Globe and Mail Update
November 20, 2008 at 11:35 PM EST
My interest in His Highness the Aga Khan, and in his vision, dates back to 1957. Then, as a young university student, I read about Prince Karim, who had suddenly inherited his grandfather's mantle as the imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismailis. His grandfather had been a remarkable figure of worldwide renown. The young prince was still a student at Harvard, and I remember thinking, "How does he feel about inheriting this enormous responsibility as the leader of the Ismailis at the age of 20?"
In the early 1970s, I was well aware of the Ismailis who were fleeing East Africa and of our reception of thousands of them here in Canada. I was always grateful that our country, under the leadership of Pierre Trudeau, welcomed these people, who had found themselves in an extremely difficult and dangerous situation in the countries that they had called home.
When I became governor-general of Canada in 1999, I met a number of Ismailis in prominent positions in Ottawa and Toronto, and later in many other cities across Canada. But it was not until 2002 that I met His Highness, during one of his visits to Ottawa. Immediately, I was deeply impressed by this soft-spoken man who had given nearly five decades of his life to bettering society in very practical and meaningful ways. His contributions to education, health and cultural revitalization through architecture and town planning in the developing world were without equal. I was very happy to meet him several more times throughout my years in Ottawa and to participate in the Foundation Ceremony of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in June, 2005.
I remember the day of the ceremony well. Tents had been erected over the area where the guests were seated, and flowers had been planted to create a garden atmosphere and a sense of beauty and lightness. In my exchanges with His Highness that day, I felt very much that our country could not have a more useful or meaningful relationship. The Aga Khan understands profoundly what Canada is all about and what a diverse society can accomplish if it is built on awareness of difference and relaxed understanding.
The Aga Khan is not just a spiritual leader. As imam, he is responsible both for leading the interpretation of the faith and for helping to improve quality of life for all in the wider communities where Ismailis live. This dual obligation is often, I think, quite difficult to appreciate from the Christian viewpoint of the role that church leaders are expected to perform. In Islam, the worlds of faith and action, of ethical premise and society, are treated together. The Aga Khan sees his responsibilities as encompassing a strong commitment to the well-being and dignity of all human beings, regardless of faith, origin or gender.
The intersection of faith and society has led to initiatives that, over the past 50 years, have made a profound difference in the developing world. The Aga Khan Development Network has improved the lives of some of the world's poorest, most deprived and most diverse populations.
The Aga Khan realizes that no effective development can happen without the precondition of a healthy civil society. Only a strong civil society can help sustain real change for both rural populations, which are geographically isolated, and the urban poor, who are similarly marginalized from the social, economic and political life of their wider society.
The second precondition for successful development is something for which the Aga Khan and his development network are now increasingly well known: a commitment to pluralism. The efforts of the Imamat have had a pervasive effect, over the past decade particularly, in making the world understand how society must support people of different backgrounds and interests to organize themselves in diverse institutions for a variety of purposes - all in the context of a creative free expression. Pluralism is as important as human rights in ensuring peace, democracy and a better quality of life.
In his speeches, the Aga Khan points out how the rejection of pluralism has helped to incite hatred and conflict among many cultures, nations and religions. This has occurred in places as varied as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These sad examples show us that pluralism is critical to peaceful, harmonious understanding. The Aga Khan understands, too, that pluralism does not happen by accident but is the product of enlightened education, moral and material investment by governments and the recognition by all of our common humanity.
As His Highness recognizes, Canada is very open to these ideas. Eighty per cent of Canadians believe it a good thing that we are a diverse population. In this, we may be unique in the world. It is a happy situation for us to have communities of people who are educated, are confident in their identity in Canada and feel assured of the depth of both their own traditions and those of the people who share their institutions and governmental structures.
In his public utterances, the Aga Khan shows great subtlety of mind. He has been the inspiring founder of universities and colleges, because education is one of the democratic pillars he recognizes. He exhorts people everywhere to train leaders and to shape institutions using the highest standards of excellence. His sensitivity to formal learning alerts us that education is not the promulgation of dogmatic commitment or ideological choices. Instead, as he emphasizes, scientific problem-solving must exist side by side with a continued openness to new questions.
Memorably, His Highness asserts that the deplorably fashionable phrase "clash of civilizations" is really a "clash of ignorance." This ignorance is both historical and current, and he is unequivocal in his belief that it could have been avoided through more dialogue and understanding between the Judeo-Christian and Muslim worlds.
I find His Highness's belief in what democracy can do to be most inspiring of all. He understands the need for us to be flexible in supporting the diverse institutions that make up democratic life. He is clear eyed and decisive about the breakdown in democratic institutions such as parliaments, which often lack an efficient structure and human capacities to grapple with complexity. Above all, he understands that democracy can only come about through education and awareness. Finally, His Highness identifies the need to strengthen public integrity as the sound foundation on which democracy can rest. It is not simply governments that make democracy work; the most successful democracies are those in which the non-governmental institutions of a diverse civil society play a vital role.
Again and again, the Aga Khan returns to the need for respect and co-operation between Islamic and Western peoples. The Koran tells us that mankind is a "single soul created by a single Creator" - something that differentiates humans from other forms of life. His Highness also speaks meaningfully about the need to maintain a profound humility before the Divine. With this kind of humility, we can turn away from dogma and approach each other as human beings, meeting on a field of respect without anger, without discrimination and without preconceptions.
Humility that will lead us away from self-righteousness and ready-made ideology and open us to genuine religious feeling, in its most positive form.
Adrienne Clarkson is a former governor-general of Canada. This is adapted from the introduction to Where Hope Takes Root, by His Highness the Aga Khan, and reprinted by the permission of Douglas & McIntyre.
Dear brothers & sisters,
It is with great pleasure and pride that we inform you of a special broadcast on 93.1 FM on Friday Nov 21st. between 11am-1pm (2.00pm -4pm EST). For Internet access, log onto www.redfm.ca & click on LISTEN LIVE. This show will be dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam's Padhramni to Canada & will include devotional songs, Ismaili Geet & a special feature on the work of Mawlana Hazar Imam. We hope you will tune in & be part of our special Golden Tribute on this auspicious occasion.
Wish you all, in advance, a blissful Deedar!
Shabana
It is with great pleasure and pride that we inform you of a special broadcast on 93.1 FM on Friday Nov 21st. between 11am-1pm (2.00pm -4pm EST). For Internet access, log onto www.redfm.ca & click on LISTEN LIVE. This show will be dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam's Padhramni to Canada & will include devotional songs, Ismaili Geet & a special feature on the work of Mawlana Hazar Imam. We hope you will tune in & be part of our special Golden Tribute on this auspicious occasion.
Wish you all, in advance, a blissful Deedar!
Shabana
Aga Khan attends the Cartier Racing Awards 2008, at the Grosvenor House Hotel on November 17, 2008 in London, England.
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Roman Catholics and Ismailis hold two giant Vancouver events
Two giant events will be held by religious organizations in downtown Vancouver in the next few days, despite B.C.’s reputation as one of the most secular regions of the continent.
More than 12,000 Roman Catholics are expected to gather at 1 p.m. Sunday at GM Place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the archdiocese of Vancouver.
And an expected crowd of 25,000 Ismaili Muslims will meet at B.C. Place on Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the reign of their spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, who is on a cross-country tour.
The Roman Catholic mass will be lead by Canada’s leading Catholic prelate, Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, who has on occasion been cited by experienced Vatican observers as a potential candidate for pope.
It will be the largest gathering of Catholics in Vancouver since 1998. Archdiocese spokesman Jeff Graham said the site of Vancouver Canucks hockey games is being transformed into a sacred setting, including with banners that look like stained glass.
The Canadian census reports that 43 per cent of Canadians consider themselves Catholics, at least nominally. In B.C. that percentage drops to just 17 per cent.
Still, there are more than 340,000 Roman Catholics in Metro Vancouver. Independent polling suggests roughly one third are regular attendees, including many who are immigrants from Asia, particularly the Philippines.
Even though there are only about 15,000 Ismailis in B.C., followers of the Aga Khan will be coming from Washington State and other parts of the U.S. to celebrate his Golden Jubilee.
In addition to meeting adherents during his eight-day tour of Canada, the European-based Aga Khan will visit many dignitairies and politicians. In Vancouver he’ll meet Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, as well as B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
A news release for the Aga Khan’s visit said he “completed his 50th year as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on 11th July 2007, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah. The Aga Khan leads a community of 15 million Ismaili Muslims living in some 25 countries around the world and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.”
Most Muslims in Canada and B.C. are members of the much larger Sunni branch of the religion. Most Sunni Muslims do not consider the Aga Khan an authentic Muslim leader or a valid descendent of the Prophet Mohammed.
Nevertheless, even though Ismaili Muslims have been historically persecuted in some parts of the world, in Canada the different branches of the billion-member faith tend to tolerate their differences and for the most part get along.
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Only published comments... Nov 21 2008, 06:43 PM by Douglas Todd
Filed under: Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Catholics, Aga Khan, Ismailis
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Two giant events will be held by religious organizations in downtown Vancouver in the next few days, despite B.C.’s reputation as one of the most secular regions of the continent.
More than 12,000 Roman Catholics are expected to gather at 1 p.m. Sunday at GM Place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the archdiocese of Vancouver.
And an expected crowd of 25,000 Ismaili Muslims will meet at B.C. Place on Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the reign of their spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, who is on a cross-country tour.
The Roman Catholic mass will be lead by Canada’s leading Catholic prelate, Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, who has on occasion been cited by experienced Vatican observers as a potential candidate for pope.
It will be the largest gathering of Catholics in Vancouver since 1998. Archdiocese spokesman Jeff Graham said the site of Vancouver Canucks hockey games is being transformed into a sacred setting, including with banners that look like stained glass.
The Canadian census reports that 43 per cent of Canadians consider themselves Catholics, at least nominally. In B.C. that percentage drops to just 17 per cent.
Still, there are more than 340,000 Roman Catholics in Metro Vancouver. Independent polling suggests roughly one third are regular attendees, including many who are immigrants from Asia, particularly the Philippines.
Even though there are only about 15,000 Ismailis in B.C., followers of the Aga Khan will be coming from Washington State and other parts of the U.S. to celebrate his Golden Jubilee.
In addition to meeting adherents during his eight-day tour of Canada, the European-based Aga Khan will visit many dignitairies and politicians. In Vancouver he’ll meet Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, as well as B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
A news release for the Aga Khan’s visit said he “completed his 50th year as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on 11th July 2007, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah. The Aga Khan leads a community of 15 million Ismaili Muslims living in some 25 countries around the world and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.”
Most Muslims in Canada and B.C. are members of the much larger Sunni branch of the religion. Most Sunni Muslims do not consider the Aga Khan an authentic Muslim leader or a valid descendent of the Prophet Mohammed.
Nevertheless, even though Ismaili Muslims have been historically persecuted in some parts of the world, in Canada the different branches of the billion-member faith tend to tolerate their differences and for the most part get along.
Link to this | E-mail this | Digg this | Post to del.icio.us
Only published comments... Nov 21 2008, 06:43 PM by Douglas Todd
Filed under: Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Catholics, Aga Khan, Ismailis
Comments
http://communities.canada.com/vancouver ... vents.aspx