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PM meets with His Highness the Aga Khan
Joins the Aga Khan in opening new Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
6 December 2008
Ottawa, Ontario
"For half a Century the Aga Khan has provided spiritual guidance for Ismailis and worked to improve the quality of life in some of the most vulnerable communities in the world," said the Prime Minister. "His name has become synonymous with humanitarian aid and development in countries beset by conflict and poverty. Just as importantly he has worked tirelessly as a bridge-builder between faiths and cultures."
The Prime Minister invited His Highness for a working luncheon at the Prime Minister’s 24 Sussex Drive residence.
The Prime Minister and the Aga Khan later jointly opened a new Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, the first of its kind in the world, which will serve as headquarters for the humanitarian efforts of the Aga Khan Development Network.
The Aga Khan is visiting Canada as part of his golden jubilee as leader of the Shia Ismaili community. The Prime Minister highlighted the long history of Government co-operation between Canadians and the Ismaili Imamat including the construction of a new Global Centre for Pluralism that is being jointly funded by the Government of Canada and the Aga Khan Development Network.
"Canadians and the Ismaili are bonded by our shared values of tolerance, compassion, community service and pluralism," said the Prime Minister. "By demonstrating that diverse congregations of the great faiths can co-exist and flourish peacefully here, we are building true unity in diversity."
