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Recalling how Canada welcomed thousands of dispossessed Ismaili Muslims from Uganda in the 1970s, the Aga Khan expressed his gratitude yesterday by holding a foundation ceremony for a distinctive new building on Sussex Drive.

The new building, designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, will be the Aga Khan's first official representational building in the world. It will be known as the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat.

Renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki has designed a landmark Sussex Drive building for the Aga Khan Foundation that aims to create a positive image of Islam and strengthen Canada's role in the Aga Khan's humanitarian activities. The Ottawa Centre for the Aga Khan Development Network is the first building in the world designed to represent the Aga Khan and his agencies.

Personifying cherished Canadian values, His Highness the Aga Khan has devoted his life to protecting the environment and alleviating human suffering due to poverty. Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims since 1957, he has guided the spiritual growth of his followers, teaching compassion and tolerance by example. In 1967, he launched his foundation, the Aga Khan Development Network, with branches in countries around the world, including Canada.

Bata Limited and the Aga Khan Development Network are pleased to announce that the property which includes the Bata International Centre at 59 Wynford Drive in Toronto has been conditionally sold to an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place before the end of this year. As part of the transaction Bata will lease the office facility for an agreed period of time.

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, says an international centre to promote pluralism will be established in Ottawa.
The wealthy philanthropist, known for his support of development projects in poor Asian and African nations, said yesterday Canada is an ideal place for a secular and non-denominational Global Centre for Pluralism because of this country's rich cultural mosaic and strong democratic tradition.

The centre will conduct research and develop education programs, he said.

He didn't attract as much attention as the Dalai Lama. He rarely does. But by the time he had slipped in and out of Ottawa on his private jet, the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Imami Ismaili Muslims, had given the city, and the country, a major gift.

The Geneva-born imam, who is now based just outside Paris, has announced the creation of the Global Centre for Pluralism, which will be based in Ottawa.

Son Excellence la très honorable Adrienne Clarkson, Gouverneure générale du Canada, et Son Altesse l'Aga Khan participeront aux séances de clôture de la Conférence canadienne du Gouverneur général sur le leadership 2004, du 19 au 21 mai 2004, à Ottawa et Gatineau.

Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network, has outlined the need to recognize the fragility of democracy as a form of governance , its virtues in advancing human development, and the necessity for a better understanding of the Islamic world.

Canada has successfully constructed a public sphere predicated on the ethic of respect for human dignity. It recognizes and builds on difference, enables a spirit of compromise and consensus in public and legislative policies, and marks out a healthy space for the role of civil society as a sound (indeed, essential) bulwark for democratic processes.

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, says an international centre to promote pluralism will be established in Ottawa.

The wealthy philanthropist, known for his support of development projects in poor Asian and African nations, said yesterday Canada is an ideal place for a secular and non-denominational Global Centre for Pluralism because of this country's rich cultural mosaic and strong democratic tradition.

The centre will conduct research and develop education programs, he said.

La 19e édition de la Marche des Partenaires mondiaux a permis de recueillir plus de 3 millions de dollars aujourd'hui et de rassembler des milliers de gens dans plusieurs villes du pays, sous la bannière de la lutte contre la pauvreté dans le monde. La Marche - événement le plus grand de son genre au Canada - a recueilli une somme record grâce à la plus grande participation jamais enregistrée à ce jour de Canadiennes et Canadiens à la recherche d'un moyen de faire la différence dans les pays en développement.

The 19th annual World Partnership Walk raised more than $3 million today and brought together tens of thousands of people in cities across Canada to fight global poverty. The Walk, the largest event of its kind in Canada, raised record funds and brought out more Canadians than ever looking for a way to make a difference in developing countries.

Your Highness, you are aware that John Ralston Saul and I have paid two visits to Kabul, Afghanistan to visit the Canadian troops deployed there. On our first visit, in December of 2003, we found a city that was practically flattened, and a people that seemed to be in disbelief that they were no longer in the midst of total war. One year later, we returned and immediately sensed that there was new hope. There were more people going about their business in the streets, a wider selection of food in the markets, and increased availability of practical goods like bicycle tires and oil cans.

The Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, announced today that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will provide a $13.5 million contribution over five years to the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) to pursue the Partnership for a New Millenium Program. This initiative will focus on the areas of health, basic education, rural development and civil society strengthening. The Minister made the announcement after meeting His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan during his visit to Ottawa.

He didn't attract as much attention as the Dalai Lama. He rarely does. But by the time he had slipped in and out of Ottawa on his private jet, the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Imami Ismaili Muslims, had given the city, and the country, a major gift.
The Geneva-born imam, who is now based just outside Paris, has announced the creation of the Global Centre for Pluralism, which will be based in Ottawa.

The Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, holds his hand on his heart during the opening ceremony of the new Delegation of Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa on Saturday Dec. 6, 2008.

Today at 12:01am

Statement

For immediate release

Statement by THE Prime Minister OF CANADA

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the House of Commons passing a motion to grant Honorary Canadian Citizenship to His Highness the Aga Khan:

“Today, on the advice of our Government, the House of Commons voted to bestow Honorary Canadian Citizenship upon His Highness the Aga Khan.

Maki and Associates has completed the first building in the world specifically designed for the Aga Khan and his agencies.