Introduction

The Shia Ismaili Muslims are a community of ethnically and culturally diverse peoples living in over 25 countries around the world, united in their allegiance to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan (known to the Ismailis as Mawlana Hazar Imam) as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader), and direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).

Articles related to: Adrienne Clarkson

Taking the Canadian model for citizenship into the world

Former Governor General of Canada the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul spoke with Sheherazade Hirji following Mawlana Hazar Imam’s lecture at the 2010 LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium. Photo: Moez Visram

Following Mawlana Hazar Imam’s lecture at the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium in October, Sheherazade Hirji of The Ismaili Canada magazine met with the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and Mr John Ralston Saul to discuss the lecture series, and the work of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Mawlana Hazar Imam addressed the 10th annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium in Toronto on Friday, 15 October 2010. Photo: Moez Visram

Toronto, 15 October 2010 — “What the Canadian experience suggests to me is that identity itself can be pluralistic,” said Mawlana Hazar Imam before a packed audience at the Royal Conservatory’s Telus Centre for Performance and Learning. Speaking at the invitation of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Hazar Imam received a warm welcome from the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul.

Also see:
» AKDN coverage of the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium, including speech and photos
» Welcome address by John Ralston Saul and introductory remarks by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
» Watch the complete recorded event
» The LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium at the Institute for Canadian Citizenship website

Mawlana Hazar Imam waves as he prepares to depart Canada, completing his Golden Jubilee visit to the country. Photo: Gary Otte

During his Canadian visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the Governor-General of Canada, as well as senior government and Jamati leaders, and granted four Golden Jubilee Darbars across the country. Hazar Imam was joined by the Prime Minister for the opening of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.

The Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir pose for a photograph following their Ottawa performance in August 2008. Photo: Almin Surani

The Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir was formed in September 2007, in commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee. Through the exploration of different genres of music, the choir seeks to express the Canadian Ismaili experience.

Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Canada

Where Hope Takes Root is a collection of speeches given by Mawlana Hazar Imam over the past six years. Its publication coincides with the Golden Jubilee, which presents an opportunity to reflect on 50 years of Imamat, as well as the key themes and ideas that underlie the Imam’s work.

Golden Jubilee
Archive

Fifty years after he became the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, the global Jamat commemorated Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee with special events and activities around the world that took place between 11 July 2007 – 13 December 2008.

The Institute of
Ismaili Studies

Nutrition
Centre

Featuring a library of traditional recipes annotated with nutritional information and healthy eating tips, as well as articles on how you can make your meals healthier.

Aga Khan
Development Network

Fastest Growing City in Africa Gets 103-hectare Urban Park

» University of Central Asias Kyrgyz Campus Completes Critical New Infrastructure

» Update on FOCUS and AKDN response to Pakistan Floods

Ismaili Centres
Around the World

The Ismaili Centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in the regions in which they are established.
Architecturally unique, each building is a safeguard and a symbol of the core values of the Ismaili Muslim community.

Introduction

Articles related to: Adrienne Clarkson

Taking the Canadian model for citizenship into the world

Mawlana Hazar Imam addresses prestigious LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium in Toronto

Canada visit

Golden Jubilee marks the formation of the Canadian Jamat’s national youth choir

Seeds of hope: Cultivating democracy, pluralism and civil society

Sharing options

Golden Jubilee
Archive

The Institute of
Ismaili Studies

Nutrition
Centre

Aga Khan
Development Network

Ismaili Centres
Around the World