Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Canada to receive honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa

Ottawa, 12 January 2012 — 
Mawlana Hazar Imam has arrived in Canada, landing this evening in Ottawa, where he was received by Vazir Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, and other Jamati leaders. At a special convocation ceremony to be held tomorrow, Hazar Imam will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Ottawa for his service to humanity.

IIS Launches A Companion to Muslim Ethics in Canada and the UK

The IIS hosted a series of international events in Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver in Canada and Leicester in the UK to launch A Companion to Muslim Ethics. This second volume in the Muslim Heritage Series, edited by Dr Amyn B. Sajoo, provides academics, students and other interested readers with an insight into the roots of Islam’s ethical framework – and how its teachings have branched out in the cultural, political, intellectual and religious lives of Muslims, past and present.

Canadian Jamat rejoices around the Foundation Ceremony in Toronto; reflects on impact of new institutions

After years of eager anticipation since the projects were formally announced in 2002, the Jamat across Canada came together to celebrate the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park, which are being established in Toronto.
“I am very proud to be a Canadian Ismaili Muslim,” said Sadiq Abdulla, a member of the Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir. “The establishment of the Centre, Garden, and Museum will serve as a physical manifestation of how our community has integrated itself [in Canada].”


The new Centre will become part of a network of Ismaili Centres established around the world, and will be the second in Canada after the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, which is commemorating its 25th anniversary this year.

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Mawlana Hazar Imam is awarded Honorary Canadian Citizenship as he is joined by Prime Minister for Foundation Ceremony in Toronto

Toronto, 28 May 2010 — Mawlana Hazar Imam and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper were in Toronto today to mark the Foundation of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park situated in the city’s Don Mills area.
“Together, these three projects will symbolise the harmonious integration of the spiritual, the artistic and the natural worlds, in keeping with the holistic ideal which is an intimate part of Islamic tradition,” said Hazar Imam. “At the same time they will also express a profound commitment to inter-cultural engagement, and international cooperation.”

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Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Toronto ahead of Foundation Ceremony

Toronto, 27 May 2010 — Following a short visit to Ottawa, Mawlana Hazar Imam landed in Toronto this afternoon, where he was received by the Honourable James Moore, the Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. He was also welcomed by Ismaili Council for Ontario President Karim Sunderji and other Jamati leaders.

Prince Amyn and Ismaili Council for Canada President Mohamed Manji accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam from Ottawa to Toronto. Prince Rahim, who had arrived earlier in the afternoon, had been received by Ismaili Leaders’ International Forum Chairman Azim Lakhani and Ismaili Council for Canada Vice-President Malik Talib.

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Media Advisory: Aga Khan to Launch New Institutions in Toronto, Canada

Foundation Ceremony for the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and Park to take place in Toronto, on Friday.


Toronto, Canada: On Friday, May 28, 2010, His Highness the Aga Khan will participate in the Foundation Ceremony to mark the beginning of the development of the Ismaili Centre, the first-ever Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture, and the park where they will be situated in Toronto’s Don Mills area.



The development of these projects, an initiative of His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, seeks to foster knowledge and understanding both within Muslim societies and between these societies and other cultures. The Aga Khan Museum and its collection reflect the plurality of the Muslim world, while the adjacent Ismaili Centre will create spaces for interaction and dialogue. Together, they will offer platforms for the search for mutual understanding among all communities and cultures.



Situated on a 6.8 hectare site along a major artery of Toronto, the Don Valley Parkway, the buildings and park represent the Aga Khan’s commitment to Canada and appreciation for the country’s adherence to pluralism and cultural diversity.


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In photographs: Jamat catches the Olympic spirit- Theismaili.org

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Faith-based communities unite to save Toronto neighbourhood food bank

A recent HungerCount study conducted by Food Banks Canada reported an alarming 20 per cent increase in the number of Canadians turning to food banks in the past year. Weighed down by the recession, the institutions are struggling to meet increased demand across the country as food and cash donations become scarce.


For years, the Flemingdon Food Bank, located in the Don Mills area of Toronto, had served over 2 000 individuals of many faiths and cultures every month. But a few months ago, when it found itself on the verge of having to close down, various faith-based groups stepped-in to offer their collective support to the troubled community institution.

Eager to give back to a community in which the Jamat has established deep roots over the past three decades, the Ismaili Muslim community joined with the Islamic Society of Toronto as well as the Presbyterian, Anglican and United Church communities to assist the Flemingdon Food Bank. Community leaders began by relocating it to a more suitable premises, before turning their attention to boosting its supply stock. Setting a goal of raising 6 000 pounds of food, the group launched a Ramadan food drive.


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Canadian Government honours FOCUS and the Ismaili Council for Canada

Gulam Juma, Coordinator of the FOCUS International Coordinating Committee and Mina Mawani, CEO of the Ismaili Council for Canada accepted a letter from the Government of Canada, recognising and honouring their respective organisations for their work in refugee settlement since 1992. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

Each year, millions of people around the world are forced to flee their homelands to escape persecution, war or severe human rights abuses. Often, these people are permanently displaced and are never able to return home. Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, and the subsequent civil war, millions of people sought refuge in neighbouring Central and South Asian countries. Many also found themselves fleeing to North America, Europe and other countries to find a safe haven and start a new life.
On Friday, 9 October 2009, Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) and the Ismaili Council for Canada, together with a number of other organisations, were honoured for their work on refugee settlement at a ceremony in Toronto.
The occasion marked the 30th anniversary of the Private Sponsorship Program run by the Canadian Government, which has facilitated the admission of over 200 000 refugees to Canada, allowing them to build new lives for themselves.
In a letter presented by Judge Patricia Phenix to Gulam Juma, Coordinator of the FOCUS International Coordinating Committee and Mina Mawani, CEO of the Ismaili Council for Canada, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, wrote:

“The work you undertake in supporting refugees is a voluntary act, motivated by compassion, caring, and desire to take an active role in protecting refugees… I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude for your contribution and personal sacrifice, which has allowed Canada to fulfill its humanitarian commitment to assist victims of persecution, human rights violations, and injustice from around the globe. The support from you and your organization has saved lives and ensured that sponsored refugees contribute to the social economic, political and cultural life of Canadian society.”

Through protocols with the Canadian and Quebec governments between 1992 and 2001, refugees from Afghanistan and Kosovo were settled in Canada by FOCUS on behalf of the Ismaili Council for Canada.
Over the last 15 years, more than 10 000 refugees or approximately 2 300 families have been assisted through the resettlement programme.
The resettlement programme has ensured that newly settled families have had access to resources, support assistance and basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, information, orientations and practical assistance to help them adjust to their new living and work environments, as well as gaining necessary life-skills. The programme has also played an important role in supporting activities and initiatives that enable families and individuals to have access to education, health services, language training, job preparation and placement or additional training and education aimed at upgrading, accreditation and credentials.
Through their own hard work and the support provided by the Ismaili Council for Canada and FOCUS, newly settled members of the Jamat have been able to establish good foundations and achieve success in their lives. Some have even been able to return to Afghanistan to assist its rebuilding, and in strengthening the leadership capacity of the local Jamat.

Focus Humanitarian Assistance is affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of institutions working to improve opportunities and living conditions, for people of all faiths and origins, in specific regions of the developing world. Underlying the establishment of FOCUS is a history of successful initiatives to assist people struck by natural and man-made disasters in South and Central Asia, and Africa.

 http://www.theismaili.org/cms/904/


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Live Webcast: Former Canadian Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to speak at the Ismaili Centre, London

The Ismaili Centre, London has partnered with the Canadian High Commission to present a lecture by The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada. Titled Needing Each Other: Human Beings and the Challenge of the Environment the talk will take place on 21 October 2009 at the Ismaili Centre, London. The presentation, which is expected to start at 8:30 PM BST (London time), will simultaneously be available at TheIsmaili.org website via live webcast.

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Patron of the Olympic Truce, the Governor General of Canada speaks with young British Columbians at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, addresses the audience at the Truce Dialogue for youth held at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Photo: Aziz Ladha

On Monday, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, led a Truce Dialogue as part of Canada’s expression of the Olympic Truce in the run-up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Dialogue, which took place at The Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, aimed at engaging youth in meaningful and action-oriented conversation on the topic of peace-building through sport and culture.
“The Olympic Truce tradition gives us an opportunity to really think about what peace really means,” noted the Governor General. “It allows us to reflect on our roles as ambassadors of peace and solidarity.”
The Olympic Truce is a traditional part of the Olympic Games. It promotes the Olympic ideals of peace, friendship and international understanding. The Truce calls for a cessation of all hostilities during the Olympic Games and beyond, and is customarily accompanied by a United Nations Resolution to that effect.

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Aga Khan Receives Honorary Degree- Images

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Mawlana Hazar Imam to become an honorary citizen of Canada

10 June 2009 — In the House of Commons yesterday, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared that Canada will grant honorary citizenship to Mawlana Hazar Imam.

“He is truly a beacon of humanitarianism; of pluralism and of tolerance throughout the entire world,” said the Prime Minister, calling him “a great partner and long-time friend of Canada, and a great benefactor to humanity.”

Mawlana Hazar Imam will be only the fifth person to receive honorary Canadian citizenship. He will join a select group of individuals that includes Swedish diplomat and Holocaust hero Raoul Wallenberg, former President of South Africa and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and pro-democracy icon and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

At the time of the announcement, Mawlana Hazar Imam was in Edmonton to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta. Hazar Imam and Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach also presided over the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the University of Alberta and the Aga Khan University, building on a long record of cooperation between the two institutions.

Source: http://www.theismaili.org/cms/732


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Partnership Between AKU and University of Alberta to Expand; Aga Khan to Receive Honorary Degree

8 June, 2009, Edmonton, Canada - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta on June 9th in recognition of his efforts to improve the lives of millions of the world's poorest people and build a global culture of tolerance.

The ceremony will be webcast live on 9 June 2009 at 3PM (Alberta time) at the following link: http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/ro.cfm?id=1014

For more information, please: http://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/ro.cfm?id=377

During his visit to Edmonton, the Aga Khan will meet with Premier Ed Stelmach and University of Alberta President, Dr. Indira Samarasekera, as well as witness the signing of an agreement to enhance collaboration with the University of Alberta. The Aga Khan University (AKU), located in Karachi, Pakistan, has had a long-standing relationship with the University of Alberta.

AKU has enjoyed more than a quarter century of close associations with several universities in Canada, including the University of Alberta, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Toronto.

The Ismaili Imamat's tradition of leadership (the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims) in educational development goes back to the founding of Al-Azhar University and the Academy of Science, Dar al-Ilm, in Cairo, over 1000 years ago. Today, AKDN operates two universities, the Aga Khan University, which was founded in Pakistan over 25 years ago and has campuses in eight countries, and the University of Central Asia, with campuses in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The Network’s endeavours in the areas of education currently include over 300 schools and advanced educational programmes that provide quality pre-school, primary, secondary, and higher secondary education services to students throughout the world.

The partnerships with Canada extend well beyond education. Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) has been implmenting innovative development initiatives in Africa and Asia in partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency for over 25 years.

For further information, please contact:

Website: www.akdn.org


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Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Edmonton

8 June 2009 — Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Edmonton, Canada yesterday, accompanied by Prince Hussain. Tomorrow, Hazar Imam will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in recognition of his efforts to improve the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people and build a global culture of tolerance. He will also meet with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and the President of the University of Alberta, Dr. Indira Samarasekera, as well as witness the signing of an agreement to enhance collaboration between the Aga Khan Development Network and the University of Alberta.

» Watch the convocation ceremony live at 3:00 PM MDT at the University of Alberta website.

» AKDN: Partnership Between AKU and University of Alberta to Expand; Aga Khan to Receive Honorary Degree

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World Partnership walk Updates From Famous Ismailimail Blog.

■Partnership Walk team of SuperHeroes
■Thousands of Vancouverites walk and roll at weekend fundraising events
■Walking to combat poverty Metro News
■One step makes a difference 24 Hours Vancouver
■Photos from this afternoon’s Aga Khan Foundation charity walk in Vancouver
■World Partnership Walk Gallery Vancouver 24 hrs
■The Province Aga Khan’s Vancouver walk raises $2 million for global poverty fight
■They may be little, but they can make a big difference
■Toronto’s Legion of Social Media Super Heroes are fighting Global Poverty at the World Partnership Walk on May 31st
■Thousands take part in World Partnership Walk at Stanley Park
■Thousands walk in downtown Toronto to end poverty
■Canadians Across the Country Join in Fight Against Global Poverty
■Ten thousand people and bright sunshine expected for Sunday’s charity walk

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World Partnership Walk to celebrate its 25th year in Canada

Some of the founding ladies of the World Partnership Walk gathered for a photograph during the 20th Walk. Photo: Courtesy of AKFC
In 1985, a small group of Ismaili women in Vancouver wanted to make a difference in the fight against global poverty. Repeating simple words of encouragement, “rain or shine, walk with your family — bring your lunch,” they persuaded 1 000 people to don their sneakers and join them in a walk to raise CAD $50 000.
The women were driven by a desire to give something back to the impoverished countries where they had grown up, and to demonstrate gratitude for what they had gained in coming to Canada. The walk also provided a means to raise awareness and bring about change

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World Partnership Walk 2009

The World Partnership Walk is Canada's largest annual event dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds to fight global poverty.
Now in its 25th year, the Walk is organized by volunteers in nine cities across the country and attracts tens of thousands of Canadians united in a common effort to bring hope and renewal to some of the poorest communities in the world. Last year nearly 40,000 participants came together across Canada to raise $5.5 million in support of international development.
Join us this year and "Walk the Walk!

http://www.worldpartnershipwalk.com/

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Building a better society through CIVIC participation-Theismaili.org

The commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee was an opportunity for Ismaili Muslims to come together in the spirit of voluntary service and contribute to the wellbeing of the communities where they reside. This was one of the underlying objectives of the CIVIC programme in Canada.
CIVIC — Challenging Ismaili Volunteers in Communities — was an initiative to engage Jamati youth aged 13 – 25. It appealed to the social conscience of young Ismailis by inviting them to give back to their local communities through voluntary service.
Young Ismailis in Quebec take a break from cleaning during their CIVIC school beautification project. Photo: Sheny Jaffer
On designated CIVIC days across the country, more than 1 100 participants came together in their respective regions and contributed over 4 400 hours of voluntary service to designated projects. Community partners including mayors, municipal councillors, non-profit organisations, and other community representatives were present to support and acknowledge the work of the CIVIC teams and contributions they were making to society.
The ethic of voluntary service is a long-held tradition in the Jamat and pervades all aspects of life within the community. It has historically been a corner-stone of the value-system shared by Ismaili Muslims around the world. While CIVIC afforded an opportunity for members of the Jamat to collectively engage the broader community through service, the ethic of social consciousness inspires the engagement of the institutions of the Ismaili Imamat — notably the Imamat’s non-denominational arm, the Aga Khan Development Network — in a multi-dimensional effort that promotes human development for the benefit of people irrespective of their faith and origin. A pillar of this engagement is the Jamat’s tradition of offering contributions of time, knowledge and material resources.
The objectives of the programme were to allow youth to employ their time, skills and knowledge to stimulate positive changes, to build relationships with each other and the wider community and to commemorate the Golden Jubilee in a way that will benefit the social, cultural and economic development in Canada.
“Seeing more than 250 youth working hard was the most valuable experience,” says Shafina Jamal, a young professional and CIVIC participant from Edmonton. “The atmosphere was electric.”
The tremendous efforts of youth teams across Canada resulted in some impressive achievements. In British Columbia, teams planted 50 fruit trees to symbolise 50 years of Hazar Imam’s Imamat. The trees will produce approximately one tonne of fruit that well be donated to shelters in downtown Vancouver. In the Prairies, CIVIC groups sorted through 350 bags of clothing that had been donated at the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre. In Ontario, a half-tonne of garbage was collected from a city park, and in Quebec, youth worked to beautify eight schools, helping create a clean environment for students and staff.
Edmonton youth pose outside one of the sheds they built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Photo: Firozali Musani
After a year of careful planning, CIVIC Edmonton emerged as an example of a sustainable partnership among communities. Launched as a programme to build 20 sheds for Habitat for Humanity, the Edmonton initiative joined forces with the city’s Capital City Clean Up programme. Edmonton’s Ismaili youth worked alongside volunteers from the Sri Lankan and Punjabi communities to remove graffiti while raising funds for their shed project.
“The sheds are going to the neediest families in Edmonton,” noted Jamal, who served as a shed leader. “Poverty can be eliminated if we work together to help one family at a time.” In building the sheds and contributing to the clean up and revitalisation of the city's downtown core, CIVIC Edmonton grew into a multi-faceted civic engagement project and is working towards future activities.
Tameezan Mawani, the national project manager for CIVIC, said that “we wanted to create an education programme rooted in the work of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Institutions.” CIVIC's choice of activities was based on the ethical framework of the Aga Khan Development Network. By building local shelters, and cleaning city parks, participants contributed to environmental care, humanitarian assistance and poverty alleviation — all ethical imperatives that underpin the AKDN institutions.
Over the past four decades, Canada has welcomed Ismailis from around the world. CIVIC, Mawani points out, is one way in which the Canadian Jamat can give back to their country. It provided an opportunity for leaders of tomorrow to cultivate the spirit of voluntary service in the Jamat, and apply it in the broader context of Canadian civil society: “We hope that CIVIC will extend beyond the community and foster relationships with our fellow Canadians.”


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McMaster and AKU Sign MOU for Expanded Partnership

His Highness the Aga Khan and The Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation at the signing ceremony. Photo credit: Gary Otte/AKDNToronto, Canada, November 22, 2008 - McMaster University and the Aga Khan University (AKU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to address commonly shared objectives in the health sciences, sciences, the social sciences, humanities and business.
The Memorandum was signed in Toronto by McMaster University President Dr. Peter George and President Firoz Rasul of the Aga Khan University, in the presence of Canada’s Minister of International Cooperation, The Honourable Beverly J. Oda and His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. His Highness the Aga Khan is the Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network and Chancellor of AKU.
“I view this as an agreement of a much wider spectrum of importance and outcome than you might think, simply by talking about the profession of nursing,” said the Aga Khan at the ceremony.
“In the past years we have seen a number of countries in the developing world enter into the dimension of what I call failure of competent democratic government. A number of countries have run into difficulty; constitutional management, economic management, the management of pluralist societies. When governments are fragile, it is civil society which comes in and sustains the development process. Professional nursing, educating women, is an absolutely fundamental pillar to the building of society.”

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