By MALIK MERCHANT
There were many cherishable and memorable moments on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at Koerner Hall in Toronto when the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship was presented to Mawlana Hazar Imam, Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and the direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him and his progeny).
World-renowned vocalist and songwriter Rufus Wainwright welcomed the audience with a beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah. Rufus reminded us that September 21 also marked Cohen’s birthday — his 82nd (Cohen passed away 6 weeks later, on November 7). A video of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s congratulatory message to His Highness Aga Khan received big applause from the packed auditorium hall, as did the presentation of the unique award to His Highness by Madame Clarkson. This was followed by her welcome speech and the 49th Ismaili Imam’s words of wisdom.
But of all the absorbing moments that the event offered, there was one defining moment at the end of the Aga Khan’s speech that I took to heart. What strengths should we have to be a good global citizen? The Aga Khan shortlisted the following 6 strengths:
- A vital sense of balance;
- An abundant capacity for compromise;
- More than a little sense of patience;
- An appropriate degree of humility;
- A good measure of forgiveness; and
- A genuine welcoming of human difference
More than 300 million people worldwide celebrated the significant occasion of Navroz — a New Day, a New Year — on March 21st, symbolizing a fresh start in their lives. Concurrently, a much larger number of Muslims — almost 2 billion — are observing the month of Ramadhan, with the Laylat al-Qadr, the night of the revelation of the Qur’an, considered the holiest night in the month or year, to be observed from 3rd week of the month (on odd days). Ismaili Muslims mark it on the 21st day (April 1 in 2024). Eid ul-Fitr will follow that at the end of the month of Ramadhan (April 10). And more than 2 billion Christians will celebrate Easter between March 29 and April 1.
These are not just mere dates on the calendar but opportunities for us to reflect on ourselves and strive for self-improvement in every aspect of our lives to better our minds and hearts and lift our spirits. Let’s embrace His Highness and Aga Khan’s six pieces of advice mentioned during his speech when he was honoured with the Global Citizenship Award.
Date posted: March 20, 2024.
Last updated: March 23, 2024.
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Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Table of Contents for links to more than 325 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. Also visit our two sister websites, Simerg and Simergphotos. Barakah’s editor Malik may be reached at mmerchant@barakah.com.
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Thank you for the excellent knowledge you share on your blog.
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Wow, what an aspiring word! The global citizen. There is no limit to the wisdom of our beloved Sarkar Maulana Hazar Imam, Salwat.
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An absolutely timely and indeed also important to be reminded about the strengths of a Global citizen on the Navroz – the new year day. I remember your original post of September 2016 and I copy herewith my comments then:
“September 24, 2016 @ 8:53 am
Posting the TRANSCRIPT OF THE CONVERSATION is indeed very quick and timely. This will enable many interested people to read this very thought provoking conversation. Your efforts are commendable and highly appreciated. Please keep up the excellent work being done.
Best of luck!
Kamrudin A. Rashid,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada”
Over 7 years later your efforts to post such informative and knowledgeable information on your Blogs with a view to keep the readers around the world UpToDate continues to be commendable and highly appreciated. Continuous prayers for your good health to enable you keep up the excellent work being done.
Kamrudin A. Rashid – Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
March 20, 2024.
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