Prepared by MALIK MERCHANT
His Highness the Aga Khan became the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957, succeeding to the spiritual leadership at the wish of his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, who led the Ismailis as their 48th Imam for a period of 71 years from 1885 until 1957.
The Ismaili Imamat is a continuous uninterrupted Institution and the Aga Khan noted that important notion in an interview that he gave ahead of his first ceremonial installation which took place in Dar es Salaam in October 1957. He said that while the enthronement ceremony “is a public installation of the Imam….officially as soon as one Imam passes away, his successor takes on from the very minute that the Imam has passed away.” See following video and read the transcript at Nanowisdoms.
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Among leaders in Canada who have issued congratulatory messages to the Aga Khan on the 66th anniversary of his Imamat are Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, the Premier of British Columbia David Eby, and the Federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen. Tweets were made by Alberta’s Lt. Governor Salma Lakhani and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Here are their messages:
Statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Imamat Day
July 11, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Imamat Day:
“Today, on Imamat Day, we join Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world to celebrate and honour the remarkable spiritual leadership of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as the 49th hereditary Imam.
“Over the last 66 years, the Aga Khan has improved the lives of millions of people around the world. Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), His Highness works to reduce poverty, improve education and health care, empower women and girls, and help develop infrastructure in underserved regions.
“Today we celebrate the rich heritage, remarkable achievements, and ongoing contributions of Ismailis to our country. Through their unwavering dedication to service and helping those in need, the Ismaili Muslim community exemplifies the best of what it means to be Canadian.
“In recognition of his commitment to the values of compassion, pluralism, and respect for human rights, and his contributions to Canada, the Aga Khan was granted honorary Canadian Citizenship in 2010. Canada hosts the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, the beautiful Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton, and partners with the AKDN in the Global Centre for Pluralism and the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, to invite people of all faiths, origins, and cultures to learn and reflect on the actions we can take to build a more inclusive world.
“On Imamat Day, as we draw inspiration from the Aga Khan’s humanitarian values, we reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Canada for everyone.
“Khushiali Mubarak!”
For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement at source please click HERE
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Statement by Ahmed Hussen, the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, on Imamat Day
OTTAWA, July 11, 2023.
Today, on the 66th anniversary of the accession of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world will celebrate Imamat Day.
Through his tireless work, the Aga Khan has repeatedly shown that he embodies the values that all Canadians share, including compassion, 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, not just for the Ismaili Muslim community, but also for hundreds of millions of people in Canada and around the world. This includes providing health services, supporting education, empowering women and girls, helping communities build resilience, and honouring cultural heritage.
The Aga Khan is an advocate for peace, 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. To recognize his commitment and contributions to Canada, the Aga Khan was granted honorary Canadian citizenship in 2010.
Imamat Day gives us an opportunity to learn more about the contributions Ismaili Muslims have made and continue to make to this country. Their rich heritage, remarkable achievements and dedication to helping those in need show us the best of what it means to be Canadian.
As Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, I extend my warmest wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV on the anniversary of his accession as Imam, as well as to everyone who celebrates Imamat Day.
Khushiali Mubarak!
For Minister Hussen’s statement at source please click HERE
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Statement from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Imamat Day
Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Imamat Day:
“Today, in over 25 countries worldwide, more than 12 million Ismaili Muslims celebrate the succession of His Highness Mawlānā Hazar Imam as the Aga Khan – the 49th hereditary spiritual leader of their faith.
“With gratitude, Ismaili Muslims reflect on their belief in God’s provision of the Aga Khan, who has guided their community for the past 66 years. As the Imam of the Time, his Highness has been a steadfast champion of Ismailis, working to uplift others, champion pluralism, and spread the message of hope and peace central to their faith.
“On Imamat Day, Canadians join with all Ismailis to honour the Aga Khan’s many achievements and his contributions to advancing freedom and democracy around the world. We celebrate with the thousands of Ismaili Muslims in Canada who have been blessed by his leadership and continue to be a source of life and light in their communities every day.
“On behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, Happy Imamat Day! Khushiali Mubarak!”
For Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s statement at source please click HERE
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Tweet: Leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh
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Tweet: Lt. Governor of Alberta, Salma Lakhani
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Statement by Premier David Eby of British Columbia on Imamat Day
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Imamat Day:
“Today, Ismaili Muslims in British Columbia and around the world will celebrate Imamat Day.
“This year marks the 66th anniversary of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV becoming the 49th hereditary imam and spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
“The Aga Khan is an inspiring leader, philanthropist and humanitarian who has dedicated his life to promoting peace, pluralism and human rights – values shared by many British Columbians.
“The Aga Khan is also an honorary Canadian citizen who has made significant contributions to our country and our province. He established the Ismaili centre in Burnaby, a place of faith and a place of community that welcomes Ismailis and non-Ismailis alike.
“Imamat Day, also known as Khushiali, offers an opportunity for all British Columbians to learn more about Isma’ilism and the many contributions Ismailis have made to our province. It also serves as a reminder that Ismailis and other Muslims continue to face Islamophobia and that we all have role to play in condemning hate and creating a more inclusive province.
“Today, I extend my best wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and the Ismaili Muslims throughout British Columbia. Together, we celebrate our shared values and our shared future.
“Khushiali Mubarak!”
For BC Premier David Eby’s statement at source please click HERE. The following are links to translations of the message:
Date posted: July 11, 2023.
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Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 350 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. Also visit Barakah’s two sister websites, Simerg and Simergphotos. Please follow Barakah’s editor Malik at Facebook and Twitter. He can be reached at mmerchant@barakah.com.
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Really fortunate to be part of this group and the informative web site. Maulana Hazar Imam bless dear and respected Malik.
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