(This post will be updated as we come across more congratulatory statements to His Highness the Aga Khan from world leaders – Ed.)

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada

July 11, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Imamat Day:

“Today, we join Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world to celebrate Imamat Day. This day marks the milestone 65th anniversary of the accession of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as the 49th hereditary Imam – spiritual leader – of Shia Ismaili Muslims.

“Since inheriting the Office of the Ismaili Imamat, the Aga Khan has worked to improve the lives of all people, regardless of their birthplace, background, or religious beliefs. Through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network, His Highness has championed access to health care and education, promoted financial inclusion, and helped develop infrastructure in underserved regions.

“The Aga Khan promotes the values of compassion, openness, and respect for diversity and human rights – values that Canadians hold dear. In recognition of these shared values and his contributions to Canada and the world, His Highness was granted honorary Canadian Citizenship in 2010. The establishment of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa is a demonstration of our shared commitment to building a more pluralistic world. Canada is also home to the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto – the first museum solely dedicated to Islamic arts and cultures in North America.

“Today we also recognize that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Ugandan Asian resettlement. In 1972, Canada welcomed thousands of refugees from Uganda, many of whom were Ismaili Muslims, and the Aga Khan played a central role in securing their arrival. In the decades since, the Ismaili communities in Canada have grown, thrived, and contributed to making Canada a stronger, more prosperous, and more diverse country in many significant ways.

“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I extend our most sincere wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and thank him for his persistent efforts to make our world a better place.

“Khushiali Mubarak!”

Please see the message at source HERE

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Statement by the Premier of British Columbia

Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement marking Imamat Day:

“Today, we join Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world in celebrating Imamat Day. This joyful day marks the 65th anniversary of the accession of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as the 49th hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims.

“The Aga Khan’s profound commitment to social development is expressed through his support for countless humanitarian causes and projects. The Aga Khan Development Network helps promote health and education while advancing civil society and pluralism in communities around the world.

“Ismaili Muslims have enriched our province immensely over the years. This special connection is represented by the Ismaili Centre in Vancouver, which was the first to be built in North America.

“Throughout the challenges of the last several years, members of the Ismaili Muslim community have demonstrated the community’s long-standing ethics of generosity and service through initiatives that have supported some of the most vulnerable members of society.

“This fall will mark the 50th anniversary of the community’s first mass migration to Canada. In that short time span, the community and His Highness have contributed immeasurably to the quality of life in this province and country.

“I had the great honour of meeting the Aga Khan in Vancouver in 2018 to mark his Diamond Jubilee.

“The Aga Khan’s values of compassion and respect for diversity are shared by British Columbians. On behalf of all British Columbians, I extend our congratulations to His Highness on the anniversary of his accession as Imam.

“Khushiali Mubarak!”

Translation

• Imamat_Day_French.pdf
• Imamat_day_Arabic.pdf
• Imamat_day_Persian.pdf
• Imamat_day_Urdu.pdf

Please see the message at source HERE

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Statement by Canada’s Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

OTTAWA, July 11, 2022

Today, on the 65^th anniversary of the accession of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world will take a moment to celebrate Imamat Day.

Through his tireless work, the Aga Khan has repeatedly shown that he embodies the values that all Canadians share, like compassion, pluralism, generosity, and respect for human rights and diversity. As the founder and leader of the Aga Khan Development Network, His Highness has led many philanthropic and humanitarian projects that have improved the quality of life for the Ismaili Muslim community, as well as for hundreds of millions of people around the world.

The Aga Khan remains a champion for peace and pluralism, and we are honoured to host many Ismaili Centres across Canada, including the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. For his innumerable contributions, we proudly bestowed honorary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan in 2010.

Imamat Day is an opportunity for us to learn more about the contributions Ismaili Muslims have made and continue to make to the country we know and love. However, we must also acknowledge the unacceptable reality of Islamophobia, hate, and discrimination that the community continues to face.

Hate has no place in Canada. Our government stands with Muslim Canadians, and we continue to take action against Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence.

As Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, I extend my best wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV on the anniversary of his accession as Imam and to everyone who celebrates Imamat Day.

Khushiali Mubarak!

Please see the message at source HERE

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Flag Flown Over US Capitol Building in Recognition of 65th Imamat Day

Click HERE for a web cam image of the US Capitol building on July 11, 2022. Note that multiple flags are flown on special flag poles at the request of a US member of Congress that a flag be flown over the Capitol. After it is flown over the Capitol, each flag is issued a keepsake certificate of authenticity. Congressional offices proudly offer their constituents the opportunity to purchase flags that have been flown over the U.S. Capitol. The dedicated Flag Office bills itself as a meaningful way to recognize significant events.

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Congratulatory Message from the President of Kenya

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Congratulatory Message from the President of Pakistan

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Congratulatory Message from the Vice-President of India

At Barakah’s request, the Indian Vice President’s Office sent us a fine scanned copy of the Congratulatory message in downloadable PDF format. The above is a JPG version of the same message. We thank the VP Office for promptly responding to our request.

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Congratulatory Message from MP for Leicester East

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Many leaders from across Canada including Federal Ministers, Federal Party Leaders, Premiers of Provinces, Mayors, and MPP’s etc. have tweeted their congratulations to His Highness the Aga Khan on the occasion of his 65th Imamat anniversary. Please click on the following links to read their messages.

• Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand
• Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Ahmed Hussen
• Leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh
• Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford
• Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan
• Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney
• Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Salma Lakhani
• Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Janet Austin
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Arif Virani
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rob Oliphant
• Senator Mobina Jaffer
• Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown
• Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson
• Mayor of Toronto, John Tory
• Mayor of Mississauga, Bonnie Crombie
• Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner
• Member of Parliament, Taleeb Noormohamed
• Member of Parliament, Sonia Sidhu
• Member of Parliament, Ruby Sahota
• Ontario MPP, Adil Shamji
• Alberta MLA, Irfan Sabir
• Alberta MLA, Leela Sharon Aheer
• Calgary Police Superintendent, Asif Rashid
• Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait, Aliya Mawani
• Canadian Deputy Head of Mission for Kenya, David Da Silva
• Vancouver City Councillor, Lisa Dominato

Date posted: July 12, 2022.
Last updated: July 15, 2022 (added messages or links to messages).

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