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Burnaby will be marking the golden jubilee of the Aga Khan with a new 13-acre park in the Central Valley.

The “contemplative nature park” will be built on city-owned land but funded, designed and constructed by the Aga Khan Development Network, said city parks director Dave Ellenwood.

“Right now we’re just very excited at the prospect of working with such a prominent organization.”

Aga Khan IV is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. The Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, to become the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. He has spent his life working to strengthen the Muslim community through his belief that the ethic of Islam “requires members of the faith to contribute to improving the quality of all human life.”

Early Days

Bernard Kouchner et le prince Aga Khan ont signé le 9 décembre une convention de partenariat entre la France et la Fondation « Réseau Aga Khan pour le développement (AKDN) », qui regroupe une dizaine d’agences de développement privées.

La Fondation « Réseau Aga Khan de développement » (AKDN) est un groupe d’agences de développement privées, internationales et non confessionnelles qui œuvrent à l’amélioration des conditions de vie dans les pays en développement.

A full hour before he showed up, a throng of more than 100 of his followers waited patiently on Sussex Drive Saturday afternoon, enduring the cold for the chance of a mere glimpse of their spiritual leader.

When the Aga Khan arrived at the opening ceremony of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, accompanied by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen, a great cheer arose from the crowd outside.

This in turn set off a round of excited giggling from the throngs of dignitaries inside the dramatic main atrium of the delegation.

SINGAPORE: The visiting hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili community, the Aga Khan, called on President S R Nathan at the Istana on Tuesday.

The Aga Khan, who is on a three—day visit from December 1—3, is also celebrating his Golden Jubilee.

He will be celebrating it with the Ismaili community from the Asia Pacific region, to commemorate the 50th year of his accession to the Imamat.

On Tuesday, the Aga Khan was also hosted to lunch by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

This is Aga Khan’s third visit to Singapore.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: Prince Karim Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismailis, arrived here on Sunday night on a short visit to Pakistan, Dawn has learnt.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik received him at Chaklala Air Base. The prince’s prominent followers were also present at the base.

During his stay in Pakistan, Prince Karim Aga Khan will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday, the source said. He will leave Islamabad on Monday afternoon. —Staff Reporter

Six years ago, the Aga Khan presented architects with an unusual challenge: create for him a headquarters in Ottawa that was both transparent and translucent, pleasing and confusing, mysterious, esoteric and ethereal. The budget was impressive, and the demands were exacting. The stunning $54-million structure that resulted officially opens today. Here, according to Maria Cook, who has spoken with the designers and builders and toured the building, is how it came to be.

The Aga Khan, the Ismaili Muslim spiritual leader who ended an eight-day Canadian tour in Vancouver less than two weeks ago, is back in Ottawa today to open a new architectural landmark on Sussex Drive.

The $50-million building is to be the permanent home of the Ismaili Imamat delegation - in effect, an embassy for representatives of his 15 million followers who are scattered in 25 or 30 countries around the globe.

It's the first such Ismaili delegation anywhere, though another is planned for Portugal, and the Aga Khan says more will be eventually built in other places.

In his continued efforts to bring relations with India to normality, the president remained engaged on diplomatic and political fronts and he met Prince Karim Aga Khan and contacted some world leaders by telephone.

During his meeting with Prince Khan, the president said Pakistan was ready to cooperate with India in connection with its investigation into the recent acts of terrorism in Mumbai but feared that statements being made by the neighboring country could damage peaceful environment.

I learnt much from my meeting with the Aga Khan yesterday. The present Aga Khan is the 49th Imam of the 15 million Nizari Ismaili Shias living in different parts of the world. Through his foundation, the Aga Khan Development Network, he funds all kinds of philanthropic activities in many countries serving Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Once discriminated against in Iran where the Aga Khan's family was from, the Ismaili community there now lives in harmony with the other Shias.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS STATEMENT

VISIT BY HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN
2 DECEMBER 2008

His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam of the Shia Ismaili community, is currently in Singapore on a visit from 1 to 3 December 2008. His Highness called on President S R Nathan this morning and was hosted to lunch by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo also met with His Highness this afternoon.

OTTAWA — The Aga Khan, the Ismaili Muslim spiritual leader, opened a new $50-million architectural landmark on Ottawa’s famed Sussex Drive on Saturday.

The new building will be a link between the spiritual dimensions of Islam and the cultures of the West, the Aga Khan said.

“It affirms our intent to share, within a western setting, the best of Islamic life and heritage,” he said. “It will be a site for robust dialogue, intellectual exchange and the forging of new partnerships” with the Canadian government, academics and international organizations.

We members of the Citizen editorial board had the pleasure of meeting the Aga Khan a few years ago. I'm thrilled to see his new delegation open on Sussex Drive, for many reasons. One of them is that Canada's capital should contain nodes of international networks, and the Aga Khan's network is one of the most effective I know.

Ottawa, Canada: The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building, situated at 199 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, is established by His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). This new building was officially inaugurated on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

A secular facility, the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat will serve a representational role for the activities of the Imamat including its development agencies which constitute the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Unlike his father, a notorious playboy who had an eye for racehorses and Hollywood starlets, his highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV--the highness part was bestowed on him by Queen Elizabeth--has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, including the empowerment of women in Muslim society.

Spiritual leader works tirelessly for his sect and all peoples

The Muslim's spiritual leader Aga Khan greets people at the airport Sunday evening after his arrival in Calgary.

The Aga Khan's visit to Calgary today marks a significant event for the city's small but influential Ismaili community. For the first time in 16 years, they will have the chance to meet and worship with their spiritual leader.

The Aga Khan is visiting as part of a 16-month celebration in honour of his 50th anniversary as imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

CALGARY - Calgary's close-knit Ismaili Muslim community is on pins and needles in anticipation of Sunday's visit by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader for the world's 15 million Ismailis.

The Aga Khan, who began his weeklong Canadian tour in Ottawa on Nov. 18, will fly into Calgary Sunday evening. The 24-hour Calgary stop, his first visit here in 16 years, will include a meeting with Lt.-Gov. Norm Kwong.

The highlight will be the Aga Khan's gathering with the community on Monday afternoon. More than 14,000 faithful are expected to pack the venue for his address and prayer session.

With tears in his eyes and his voice quivering, Nash Jetha speaks quietly when asked why he came to see the Aga Khan's arrival Sunday night in Calgary.

"I am here for the greatest moment of my life," he answers.

Having never had the opportunity to see the Ismaili spiritual leader in person, he said just being in the presence of his holiness was incredible.

"Emotionally, it was overwhelming. Since I was a young boy, he has always been our pillar," said Jetha, who came from Edmonton to be at the arrival.

What may often sound to Canadians like a discordant cacophony of voices from our diverse cultures and interest groups is apparently music to the ears of the Aga Khan.

In an exclusive interview on Sunday with Canwest News Service, the hereditary leader of the world's 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims held up Canada -- a country he has visited often and has maintained a close relationship with throughout his 50-year reign -- as a model with much to teach the world.

The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says he sees real prospects for new bridges and better relations between Muslim states and the West.
The Aga Khan, touring Canada as part of his celebration of 50 years as Ismaili Muslim leader, said despite the West's 'failure' in Iraq and ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, there are reasons for hope.

One, he said, is growing acceptance on both sides of the divide for his urgent call to combat what Harvard professor Samuel Huntington dubbed 'the clash of civilizations' and the Aga Khan terms 'the clash of ignorance.'