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

Some politicians are focusing a great deal of attention on "Canadian values", particularly as they pertain to immigration.

There's an almost hysterical fear that if Canada permits people to move here who don't share these "values", which are rarely defined, then somehow the country will go down the drain.

The foremost purveyor of this idea in national politics has been former Conservative cabinet minister Kellie Leitch. She received a blizzard of free publicity from the media in her campaign to lead her party.

Earlier this month in Ottawa, the Global Centre for Pluralism officially opened its doors. The centre is a partnership between the Aga Khan and the government of Canada and is yet another important example of the bridge-building he has spearheaded along with support for important humanitarian causes in Canada and in the global south. The many institutions the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims and his community have supported in Canada and around the world are shining examples of service to the community and the less fortunate.

His Highness Aga Khan signing his book "Where Hope Takes Root" for the Premier of British Columbia during his 2008 visit to the province to celebrate his Golden Jubilee

As we meet here tonight, a deeply moving occasion for me, my thoughts turned first of all to my late Beloved Father who would have been so encouraged to see such a large gathering of Ismailis concentrated in a new land where they have never been before and as I think of my Late Father, I am greatly encouraged by the strength, the resilience, the tremendous ability to adapt, that all of you here have shown in settling in this great, this wonderful country.

The Ismaili community across British Columbia will gather for a prayer Thursday evening to recognize His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s 76th birthday.

“It’s a very important time for everyone to celebrate and reflect on the vast work that His Highness has undertaken around the world,” said Ali Solehdin, a volunteer from within the Ismaili community.

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p. 30

(ii) Ismaili Doctrine

One of the keys to the understanding of the Ismaili (Shia) doctrine lies
in the way Ismailis view man. Man is made up of body and soul participating
in two worlds: the higher world of the First (Aql, an expression of the Divine Volition,
and the lower world of Nafs, which has emanated from Aql and is the
principle of animation from which matter has originated. As man is far
removed from his origins in the higher world, he needs to acquire knowledge of

Ismaili Muslims from across the country will gather in Vancouver this weekend to celebrate the 2008 Canadian Ismaili Games.

The games, which celebrate 50 years of the Aga Khan's leadership, will take place May 2 to 5 and involve about 1,000 athletes. Winners will represent Canada at the Golden Jubilee Games in Nairobi, Kenya in June.

2007, July 10: The Ismaili community around the world is celebrating the golden jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan's ascension to the throne of the Imamat on July 11, 1957. 'Being the leader of the Ismaili community is not only a spiritual role, but it is also a material role,' said Iqbal Ahmed, a spokesman for Vancouver's Ismaili Muslim community.

2008, May 1: The Canadian Ismaili Games is a National Golden Jubilee program and part of the first-ever, global Ismaili sports festival. It will be a celebration through sport for the Canadian Ismaili Community, intended to inspire the youth and next generation towards sports and physical fitness.The games, which celebrate 50 years of the Aga Khan's leadership, will take place May 2 to 5 and involve about 1,000 athletes. [More]

Government Declared Ismaili Day In Vancouver.
Audio attached.

Billionaire. Philanthropist. Intellectual. Connoisseur. Person of reverence. The Aga Khan IV

After a month of quiet anticipation, more than 35,000 Shia Ismaili Muslims from across Western Canada will see the Aga Khan today.
The philanthropist spiritual leader arrived at Vancouver International Airport yesterday afternoon, before meeting with community leaders at a private dinner in his honour.

Today, followers from across Western Canada will attend two closed-door religious events at the Vancouver Trade and Exhibition Centre. Scores of buses have been hired to bring the crowds in from a staging area at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds.

UP to 1,000 Ismaili Muslims who live on the North Shore were preparing to meet their spiritual leader today, as the Aga Khan - Prince Karim Aga Khan IV - makes a rare visit to meet with followers in Vancouver.
North Vancouver resident Farrah Jinha-Devji is just one of many local Ismailis who planned to take the SeaBus over to the spiritual meeting that will happen at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre this morning.

Thousands of people from across North America got a rare glimpse of their Ismaili spiritual leader Friday as the Aga Khan addressed followers in a private service that was to be focused on compassion and charitable works.
Farid Damji, a spokesman for the gathering that attracted about 20,000 people to the Trade and Convention Centre, said Ismaili Muslims revere the Aga Khan for his emphasis on improving the lives of those in need.

'Everybody's really excited to see him,' Damji said. 'It doesn't happen very often and it's a unique opportunity, so we're celebrating that.'

Where terror and hope converge: A town in Syria that once was home to the lead hijacker in the Sept. 11 attacks also hosted the awards for the Islamic world's most forward-thinking architecture
The Vancouver Sun Sat 06 Apr 2002
Page: D11
Section: Mix
Byline: Trevor Boddy
Source: Vancouver Sun