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VANCOUVER -- The leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims says Canada's pluralism is a model to the world.
The Aga Khan thanked Canada for welcoming Ismailis, a moderate group within the Shia wing of Islam, who were forced to flee persecution and conflict in their own countries over the years.

The Aga Khan, who assumed the title from his grandfather in 1957 at age 20, was in Vancouver yesterday to cap a four-city tour of Canada celebrating the 50th anniversary of his position as the community's 49th Imam.

The Aga Khan will visit Vancouver on Nov. 25 for a Golden Jubilee anniversary meeting with members of B.C.'s Shia Ismaili Muslim community.
'The community is very excited about having His Highness visit,' said Farid Damji, a volunteer with the Ismaili Council of B.C.

The Aga Khan has been spiritual leader, or Imam, to the ethnically-diverse community of Ismailis for the past 50 years.

Many of his 20,000 followers in the province are expected to gather at B.C. Place Stadium for a ceremonial afternoon.

'He will deliver a message and meet community leaders,' said Damji.

The Aga Khan teaches us that truly successful societies embrace pluralism.
In many local schools, especially on Vancouver's east side, diversity and pluralism is the norm.

I grew up as an Eastsider, and today my daughter attends her local elementary school near Fraser Street. Each year the school conducts a multicultural potluck dinner, where families sit shoulder-to-shoulder with cultures from around the globe. Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, Filipinos, Chinese and Europeans of many stripes get together to share a meal and celebrate their community.

Ismailis from across globe pour into Canadian cities
The Aga Khan leaves a ceremony at Rideau Hall after being presented with the Order of Canada, in Ottawa, June 6, 2005.

Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on an eight-day visit to Canada, during which he is to meet Canadian officials and his followers in major cities across Canada.

The Aga Khan, Prince Karim, arrived in Ottawa yesterday for an eight-day visit to Canada.
The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims will meet with Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.

He will travel to Vancouver next Tuesday to join in celebrations of the 50th anniversary of his appointment as Imam of the Ismailis.

The Aga Khan's eight-day visit to Canada started on Tuesday.
The Aga Khan is both a major spiritual leader and the head of a $500-million-US-a-year development agency, and his eight-day visit to Canada, which began Tuesday, reflects both roles.

As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75,000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden Jubilee.

These events are being held in Ottawa, where his visit began on Tuesday, as well as Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, where the visit ends next Wednesday.

Huge events set for Roman Catholics, Ismaili Muslims
VANCOUVER - Two large events will be held by religious organizations downtown in the next few days, despite B.C.'s reputation as one of the most secular regions of the continent.

More than 12,000 Roman Catholics are expected to gather at 1 p.m. Sunday at GM Place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the archdiocese of Vancouver.

And an expected crowd of 25,000 Ismaili Muslims will meet at BC Place on Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the reign of their spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, who is on a cross-country tour.

TORONTO - 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.

14,000 Ismaili Muslims expected for prayer session
Calgary's close-knit Ismaili Muslim community is on pins and needles in anticipation of today'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 this evening.

The 24-hour Calgary stop, his first visit here in 16 years, will include a meeting with Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong.

Tomorrow (November 25) will mark an important day for the estimated 15,000 members of the Ismaili community in Vancouver as they celebrate Aga Khan

CANADA DIDARS DATES -

MUBARAKI! We are most happy to inform the Jamat that, in the next phase of the current cycle of Golden Jubilee visits, and in response to the invitation from the Government, our beloved Mowlana Hazar Imam will grace Canada with His presence from the 18th to the 25th of November 2008.

Aga Khan arrives in Dushanbe today

31.10.2008 08:20

Author: Victoria Naumova

DUSHANBE, October 31, 2008, Asia-Plus -- His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is arriving in Dushanbe today afternoon on a six-day official visit.

29.10.2008 22:31
Prince Aga Khan pays visit to Kazakhstan

His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Tajikistan on October 31 for a five-day visit. The visit comes in response to an invitation from Tajikistan's Government, and within the context of His Highness' Golden Jubilee - the Aga Khan is visiting some 30 countries around the world which have long-standing and close relations with the Imamat to express his gratitude and friendship with governments, leaders, and other partners of the AKDN. During his five-day visit to Tajikistan, His Highness the Aga Khan will hold talks with a number of high-ranking Tajik state officials.

Prince Aga Khan IV, visits Kazakhstan on October 28-31, according to the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan. The prince plans to meet with leaders of Kazakhstan, the ministry said in a Thursday. According to the statement, Aga Khan will attend a groundbreaking ceremony that marks start of construction of a branch of Central Asian University in Tekeli (in Almaty oblast, southeast Kazakhstan).

$1.5 Million Goes To Bangladeshi NGO

Hilton Humanitarian Prize Of $1.5 Million Goes To Bangladeshi NGO
By Lisa Schlein Geneva17 October 2008
Sclein report - Download (MP3)
Sclein report - Listen (MP3)
The world's biggest humanitarian prize has been awarded to BRAC, the largest non-profit organization in the developing world. The 2008 Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million honors BRAC, a Bangladeshi-based NGO, for its achievements in helping to eradicate poverty in nine Asian and African countries. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva where the award was announced.

Prince Karim Aga Khan, a billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader of some 20 million Muslims worldwide, stressed the importance of education in the age of globalization in Atlanta as he helped the International Baccalaureate celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The International Baccalaureate, or IB, has programs for students aged 3-19 at 2,300 participating schools in 126 countries, said Monique Seefried, chair of the IB Board of Governors.

Through The Leadership Of The Aga Khan, An Ambitious 17-Acre Redevelopment In Suburban Toronto Will Bring Two Global Cultural Institutions To Canada Supporting Art And Culture In The Ummah, Or Muslim Diaspora.; As A Jury Member For The 2007 Aga Khan Award For Architecture, Architect And Professor Brigitte Shim Discusses The Importance Of This Unique Awards Program.

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One of the world’s great architecture patrons has hired two distinguished architects—the Indian Modernist Charles Correa and Pritzker Prize winner Fumihiko Maki—to design a $200-million cultural and religious complex in Toronto.

Carla Bruni yesterday gained a rival as the most photographed female in France as Zarkava produced a stunning performance to add her name to the roll call of Arc greats.

Bruni, the former model who is the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, has grown accustomed to the paparazzi pressing cameras in her face, but the best filly in the world got a taste of the snapping tussle as the flickering lenses pressed into her in the winner's enclosure.