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

Discours de Monsieur Frédéric Mitterrand à l'occasion de la remise de décorations à Son Altesse l’Aga Khan (Commandeur dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres) et au Prince Amyn Aga Khan (Officier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres)

Votre Altesse,

Cher Prince Amyn,

Hon. Mobina S.B. Jaffer

Honourable senators, I rise today to speak on the importance of embracing difference. On Friday, October 15, I had the privilege of attending the tenth annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium.

This event was founded by our former Governor General, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, and is co-chaired by Mr. John Ralston Saul.

This year, the symposium attendees warmly welcomed His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan who delivered an inspiring speech on the topic of pluralism.

The Right Honorable Adrienne Clarkson, Mr. John Ralston Saul, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mesdames et Messieurs:

When I first received this invitation, I was deeply honored. But I was also, perhaps, a bit intimidated.

I was impressed by the Lecture’s prestigious history, the contributions of nine former Lecturers, and the Lecture’s focus on Canada’s civic culture.

(Delivered by Prince Amyn Aga Khan on behalf of His Highness the Aga Khan)

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

For the more than 70,000 Ismaili Muslims here in Canada, the foundation ceremony for the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre today is a fitting tribute to the man who has done so much to further our understanding of Islamic art and culture – and who continues to work tirelessly on humanitarian projects around the world.

This man is a visionary. Small wonder that he and Trudeau became so close over the years, a friendship that really began when Canada welcomed thousands of Ismaili Muslims fleeing Idi Amin’s Uganda back in 1972.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Prime Minister Harper,
Madame Clarkson,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by expressing my profound appreciation for the great honour which this country has paid to me today by extending this generous gift of Honorary Canadian Citizenship.

I have been deeply moved by your gracious gesture — which I also regard as a tribute to the institution of the Ismaili Imamat, which I represent. It is a significant recognition of the values which our community of faith shares with the people of Canada.

Listen to the Speech Here: http://ismaili.net/heritage/node/30034

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following remarks at the Foundation Ceremony for the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Museum and Park :

By His Highness the Aga Khan
(Reprinted from a foreword to the Daily Nation 50th Anniversary special supplement)

As the Nation Media Group (NMG) marks its 50th anniversary, it would be too limiting to perceive this occasion as a mere milestone in a history of a media organization, no matter how successful. The Nation’s path has been closely entwined with the history of Kenya, East Africa, and the entire continent during a period filled with momentous developments.

Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan
at the Conference Marking the 50th Anniversary
of the Nation Media Group:
“Media and the African Promise.”
Nairobi, March 18, 2010.

His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya
His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda
His Excellency Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice President of Kenya
Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya
His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique
His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania

Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

We express our sincere gratitude to the UK Government for organising the London Conference which has called upon the Afghan Government and the International Community at this critical time to review and prioritise policy directions for Afghanistan.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
The First President,
Minister,
Your Excellencies,
Your Excellency, the Rector,
Commissioner for diversity and equal opportunities,
Distinguished representatives of the President’s office, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Paris Town Hall,
Distinguished guests,
Chairman of the Board of M6,
Editor in Chief and Associate Director of the Nouvel Economiste,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellency the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
Honorable Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies And Gentlemen

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Let me begin by thanking all of you for honoring us by joining in this celebration – at this truly magnificent site. We are most deeply grateful to all who helped to make this site available to our Academy program. Your generosity will be a continuing inspiration to us all.

It gives me great pleasure and immense satisfaction to associate myself on the auspicious occasion of laying the foundation stone ceremony of the Aga Khan Academy at Hyderabad. His Highness Sri Aga Khan requires no introduction to this august gathering here. Yet to refresh our memories, Sri Aga Khan has become Imam at the age of 20, one of the youngest hereditary spiritual leaders in the world.

Your Highness, Prince Aga Khan;
Mr. Vice President, and President of the Class of Humanities of the Academy of
Sciences of Lisbon, Prof. Adriano Moreira;
Your Excellencies, the Ministers of Defense and Culture;
Eminent Rectors;
Eminent Academicians;
Professors and persons of Culture and Science;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

On the day of the first visit of Prince Aga Khan to an Academy that was wise enough to elect him as one of its members, it is my honor and pleasure to greet His Highness on behalf of the Institution.

Your Highness

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

His Excellency President Karume and Mrs. Karume
Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Zanzibar
Honourable Chief Justice
Honourable Minister Mansour Himid, and I thank you for your very kind words
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a distinct pleasure for me to be part of this great occasion - in this very special setting.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

His Excellency President Karume and Mrs. Karume
Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Zanzibar
Honourable Chief Justice
Honourable Minister Mansour Himid, and I thank you for your very kind words
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a distinct pleasure for me to be part of this great occasion - in this very special setting.

Quelques morceaux choisis du discours de Christine Albanel, ministre de la Culture et de la Communication, prononcé à l'occasion de la cérémonie de remise des insignes de « Grand mécène » et de « Grand donateur » du ministère de la Culture à Son Altesse l'Aga Khan le jeudi 28 mai 2009.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Eminent Chancellor
Madame President
Mr. Chairman of the Board
Your Worship the Mayor
Faculty, Graduates, Friends and Family

Exmo. Senhor Professor Oliveira e Arantes
Exmo. Senhor Ministro da Defesa Nacional, Dr. Nuno Severiano Teixeira
Exmo. Senhor Ministro da Cultura, Dr. Pinto Ribeiro
Exmo. Senhor Núncio Apostólico, Rino Passagata
Excelências,
Exmos. Senhores Membros da Academia de Ciências de Lisboa,
Ilustres convidados,
Senhoras e Senhores,

Palavras do Presidente da Academia das Ciências de Lisboa, Professor Eduardo Romano de Arantes e Oliveira, proferidas no dia 8 de Maio de 2009, na Cerimónia da Investidura de Sua Alteza, o Príncipe Aga Khan, como Membro Estrangeiro da Academia das Ciências de Lisboa

Alteza;
Senhor Prof. Adriano Moreira, Presidente da Classe de Letras e Vice-presidente da Academia das Ciências;
Senhores Ministros da Defesa e da Cultura
Senhores Reitores;
Eminentes Académicos;
Senhores Professores e homens de Cultura e de Ciência;
Minhas Senhoras e meus Senhores: