Malik Merchant, Editor

July 1, 2023: As Canada Marks its 156th Birthday, Barakah Presents a Selection of Photos and Videos of the Aga Khan with Canadian Prime Ministers

Prepared by MALIK MERCHANT

The Aga Khan with Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau (Prime Minister from April 2, 1968 to June 3, 1979; and from March 3, 1980 to June 29, 1984)

Pierre Trudeau and Aga Khan Barakah
His Highness the Aga Khan and Begum Salimah are received by Canada’s Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau (1919-2000) in Ottawa on November 12, 1978. Photograph: Kamrudin Rashid Collection.

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This unique and historical photo signed by the late Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, was taken in the Prime Minister’s Office during His Highness the Aga Khan’s Silver Jubilee visit to Canada in April 1983. (l to r) – Hon. Secretary Farouk Verjee (Aga Khan Council for Canada), Mr. Gerry Wilkinson (His Highness the Aga Khan’s Secretariat, Aiglemont, France), Hon. Secretary Mohamed Manji (Aga Khan Ontario Council), President Amirali Rhemtulla (Aga Khan Grants Council), Mawlana Hazar Imam, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Prince Amyn Muhammad Aga Khan, President Mehboob Dhanani (Aga Khan Ontario Council) and President Zulficar Lalji (Aga Khan Council for Canada). The full signature line note from the Prime Minister read: To Farouk with the best of Memories. Trudeau. 1983. Photo: Farouk Verjee Collection, Vancouver.

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The Aga Khan attends State Funeral of Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau (October 18, 1919 – September 28, 2000)

The photograph shows former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s family, friends, colleagues, and official guests in attendance to observe his passing. His son, Justin, now the Prime Minister of Canada, rests his head on the casket of his father. Margaret Trudeau, in the front pew with son, Alexandre, is flanked by the beloved prime minister’s later life partner, Deborah Coyne, and their daughter, Sarah. The former prime minister’s sister, Suzette Rouleau, is on the far side of the same first row. Leonard Cohen on the right. In attendance next to Cuban President Fidel Castro are former Governor-General Romeo Leblanc, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Other notables present at the ceremony not shown in this photograph include past Canadian Prime Ministers John Turner, Joseph Clark, Brian Mulroney, and Jean Chrétien. Photo: Copyright Jean-Marc Carisse.
The photograph shows former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s family, friends, colleagues, and official guests in attendance to observe his passing. His son, Justin, now the Prime Minister of Canada, rests his head on the casket of his father. In attendance next to Cuban President Fidel Castro are former Governor-General Romeo Leblanc, His Highness the Aga Khan and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Photograph: © Jean-Marc Carisse.

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The Aga Khan with Prime Minister Brian M. Mulroney (Prime Minister from September 17, 1984 – June 24, 1993)

Aga Khan with Mulroney
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and His Highness the Aga Khan during the opening of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Burnaby, Canada, in September 1985. Photograph: Gary Otte/AKDN.

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The Aga Khan with Prime Minister Jean J. Chrétien (Prime Minister from November 4, 1993 – December 11, 2003)

“It is an honour to welcome His Highness the Aga Khan to Canada…. In his capacity as a religious leader and through the development network that bears his name, the Aga Khan has contributed significantly to the advancement and stability in Asia and Africa while promoting Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith that teaches compassion.” — Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, February 2, 2002.

Aga Khan with Chretien Barakah
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien welcoming His Highness the Aga Khan in February 2002 in Ottawa, Canada. Photograph: Website Archives, The Prime Minister of Canada.

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Aga Khan and Chretien Barakah
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien welcoming His Highness the Aga Khan in February 2002 in Ottawa, Canada. Photograph: Website Archives, The Prime Minister of Canada.

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The Aga Khan with Prime Minister Paul E. Martin (Prime Minister from December 12, 2003 – February 5, 2006)

Aga Khan with Paul Martin Barakah
Prime Minister Paul Martin welcoming His Highness the Aga Khan.

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The Aga Khan with Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper (Prime Minister from February 6, 2006 – November 3, 2015)

Aga Khan with Harper Barakah
Prime Minister Stephen Harper giving his address at the opening of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building in Ottawa in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan; December 2008. Photograph: The website of the Prime Minister of Canada.

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His Highness the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Foundation ceremony of the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and their Park; May 30, 2010. Photograph: The website of the Prime Minister of Canada.

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A video from the Parliament of Canada with Prime Minister Harper’s remarks on the recommendation for Honorary Citizenship to the Aga Khan

“Conferring honourary citizenship upon His Highness the Aga Khan is a recognition of His Highness’s leadership as a champion of international development, pluralism and tolerance around the world and of his remarkable leadership as Imam of the worldwide Ismaili community.”  — Prime Minister Stephen E. Harper.

Honorary citizenship is an extraordinary recognition that is above and beyond the established system of honours, such as the Order of Canada. It is a political decision conferred upon a recipient by joint resolution of the Houses in Parliament.

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following announcement:

“On June 19, 2009, our House of Commons voted unanimously to bestow Honorary Canadian citizenship on his Highness, the Aga Khan. The motion introduced by our government and supported by all parties recognized,

“And I quote, that:

‘…the Aga Khan, leader of the worldwide Ismaili Muslim community, is a beacon of humanitarianism, pluralism and tolerance throughout the world; …the Aga Khan is also actively involved in humanitarian and development projects throughout Asia and Africa; …[and] Canadians are grateful for the Aga Khan’s efforts in Afghanistan where today the Aga Khan Development Network is a vital partner in our efforts to secure and improve the lives of Afghan citizens.’

“To which I would only add, that the motion also recognizes the exquisite symmetry between your values and Canadian values, and our deep appreciation for the extraordinary contributions you are making to Canada and the world through the delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, the global centre for pluralism and the Aga Khan Museum.

“It is therefore my great honour and pleasure, on behalf of the Government and people of Canada, to formally present you today with that honorary Canadian citizenship.

“Welcome to our home and native land, your Highness. It is now and forever your home as well.” — Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada.

On June 19, 2009, the House of Commons voted unanimously to bestow Honorary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan in recognition of his leadership as a champion of international development, pluralism and tolerance around the world and of his remarkable leadership as Imam of the worldwide Ismaili community. In introducing the motion to the Parliament, Prime Minister Stephen Harper added that the motion also recognized the exquisite symmetry between the Aga Khan's values and Canadian values, and noted the Canadian people's deep appreciation for the extraordinary contributions the Aga Khan was making to Canada and the world through the delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, the Global Centre for Pluralism and the Aga Khan Museum. In formally presenting the Aga Khan with the honorary citizenship on the occasion of the foundation ceremony of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, the Prime Minister said: “Welcome to our home and native land, your Highness. It is now and forever your home as well.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper takes the occasion of the foundation ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum, Centre and their Park held in Toronto on May 30, 2010, to formally present His Highness the Aga Khan with the honorary citizenship of Canada. Photograph: The Ismaili Canada, July 2010.

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The Aga Khan addresses both the Houses of the Canadian Parliament

Aga Khan at Canadian Parliament with Harper Barakah
His Highness the Aga Khan accepts a standing ovation at the Canadian Parliament on Thursday February 27, 2014. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is seen applauding, with Princess Zahra, the daughter of His Highness, and Laureen Ann Harper, the Prime Minister’s wife, standing alongside the 49th Ismaili Imam. Photograph: The Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.

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The Aga Khan with Prime Minister Justin P. Trudeau (Prime Minister from November 4, 2015 – Current)

His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, was warmly received by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, with the words “It’s always a pleasure to welcome a dear friend to Canada, a dear friend to my family as well.” The Prime Minister added that they would discuss “pluralism, diversity and all the things that Canada can contribute to offering more peace and stability in the world.”

Aga Khan with Justin Trudeau Barakah
The Canadian Maple Leaf flag and the red and green flag of the Ismaili Imamat, with the gold Imamat crest, rest in the background while His Highness the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are seen engaged in a warm conversation during their meeting at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Photograph: © Jean-Marc Carisse.
Aga Khan Diamond Jubilee with Canadian Prime Ministers Rideau Hall Barakah
His Highness the Aga Khan glances with interest at an oil painting of former Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien, completed in 2010 by  Christan Nicholson, as he walks past it with leaders of the Ismaili community in the South corridor of Centre Block shortly after his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Photo: © Jean-Marc Carisse.

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The Aga Khan Celebrates his Diamond Jubilee at Rideau Hall in the presence of Canadian Prime Ministers

Aga Khan with Canadian Prime Ministers and Governor Generals at Rideau Hall for his Diamond Jubiilee
His Highness the Aga Khan and Her Excellency Julie Payette with former Governors General Adrienne Clarkson and David Johnston, and current and former Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau, Joe Clark, and Jean Chretien, and their respective spouses at Rideau Hall during his Diamond Jubilee visit to Canada in May 2018. Photograph: The Ismaili.

Date posted: July 1, 2023.
Last updated: July 1, 2023 (sub-titles reformatting and typos.)

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4 comments

  1. A priceless post! We are here settled well in Canada because of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s care and concern for his spiritual children and his wish that we should be happily settled as quickly as possible whenever we faced extraordinary challenges in our countries of origin. We are indeed fortunate to be on the path of Sirat-al-Mustaqim under the leadership of the Imam-of-the-Time. Sincere gratitude to you Malik for sharing such beautiful treasures. Wishing you continuous blessings.

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  2. What a thoughtful and kind gesture from you to share, on Canada Day, warm memories of Mawlana Hazar Imam and his relationship with Canada, as well as his endeavours for the progress of humanity at large. Bless you and your loved ones for sharing memories such as this with us all. As murids of the Imam, we have a lot of hard work to do in the months and years ahead. Time flows swiftly like a gushing river into the open SEA. We really need to step up in as many ways as possible and participate with the Imam in all his endeavours for our well-being and progress. Much gratitude.

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  3. Hi Malik – this is a very appropriate, interesting and educational article to mark Canada Day. This is especially so given that this Day marks 50th anniversary of the first Canada Day, that thousands of Ismailis who migrated to Canada around the early 1970’s from East Africa, celebrated on July 1 1973. I remember the Day was celebrated as Dominion Day in those days.

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