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Anchor Links: His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Eastern Canada.
Please visit this page frequently for updates on His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Eastern Canada from March 25 to 31, 2026. For quick access to our stories on this page, please click the following anchor links:
- March 24, 2026: His Highness to be welcomed to Canada by the Prime Minister and the Governor General
- March 12, 2026: Dates and venues of Didar and Mulaqat
- February 15 to Current: Canada visit essential details (updated March 6, 2026)
- February 15, 2026: Message from Ameeraly Kassim-Lakha, the President, His Highness the Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Canada
- February 15, 2026: Ismailis in Montreal celebrate the announcement of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Canada.
- February 13, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan announces official visit to Canada.
- 2006-2025: Historical Notes
- Ginan: Supplication to the Imam-of-the-Time
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PRE-ARRIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWS AND EVENTS
March 24, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan to meet Canada’s Prime Minister and the Governor General on March 25
His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s first historic visit to Canada as the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims has sparked great anticipation within the community and beyond, fostering excitement and collective pride.
In September 2022, Prince Rahim visited Vancouver. He signed an accord between the Ismaili Imamat and the Province of British Columbia, on behalf of his father, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, the 49th Hereditary Imam (d. February 4, 2025). This visit is unique. He is now the Ismailis’ 50th Imam. His Majesty King Charles conferred him with the title of His Highness shortly after he succeeded his father.
A media advisory (French and English) on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s website states he will meet the Prime Minister at 4 PM on Wednesday, March 25. At 5:45 PM, the Prime Minister will attend a dinner hosted by Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, to welcome His Highness to Canada.
The visit to Canada by the Aga Khan, following the official invitation of the Prime Minister, was first announced via a Talika (a Holy Message) read out at Jamatkhanas in Canada and around the world on February 15. Since then, Canadian Ismailis have been eagerly and wholeheartedly preparing for his visit from March 25 to 31, during which he will grant Didar (literally, a glimpse) to his followers, including the community’s youth, at various locations in Montreal and Toronto. He will also take part in interfaith gatherings. With tens of thousands of Ismailis across the country, the Aga Khan’s first visit will be with his community in Eastern Canada. He plans to visit Western Canada at a later date.
On Friday, March 27, in Laval, Quebec, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, François-Philippe Champagne, along with the Mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, will lay the foundation stone for a new Jamatkhana in the presence of the Imam. The Imam will also preside over the inauguration of GENERATIONS Toronto by Premier Doug Ford of Ontario and Olivia Chow, the Mayor of Toronto, on March 30. The Aga Khan’s visit to Canada will end on March 31 with more meetings with the Ismailis.
This special page, dedicated to the visit, will be updated regularly with all the latest news, starting with his arrival in Canada on Wednesday, March 25.
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March 12, 2026: Announcement of dates and venues of Didar and Mulaqat with Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Eastern Canada will take place from March 25 to 31 for the Ontario, Quebec, and Maritimes regions. The IICanada newsletter has confirmed the dates, venues and timings for the Eastern Canada Didars, Youth Mulaqats, and Inter-Faith Gathering as follows, noting that the Ottawa and Kingston Jamats will participate in Didars with the Jamat of Quebec and the Maritimes.
Quebec and Maritimes, Ottawa and Kingston
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
Youth Mulaqat
For the Jamats of: Montreal Headquarters, Brossard, Laval, Sherbrooke, Ottawa Headquarters, Granby, Halifax, Kingston, Quebec City, St John’s, and Fredericton
Venue: Facility in Chateauguay
Doors Open: 12:00 p.m.
For more information, Youth Mulaqat Quebec & Maritimes – Key Information page
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Didar
For the Jamats of: Montreal Headquarters, Laval, Sherbrooke, Halifax, St John’s, and Fredericton
Venue: Facility in Chateauguay
Doors Open: 1:00 p.m.
For more information, click Didar Quebec & Maritimes – Key Information page.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Didar
For the Jamats of: Ottawa Headquarters, Brossard, Granby, Kingston, and Quebec City
Venue: Facility in Chateauguay
Doors Open: 6:00 a.m.
For more information, click Didar Quebec & Maritimes – Key Information page.
Ontario
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
Youth Mulaqat
For the Jamats of: Toronto Headquarters, East York, Scarborough, Willowdale, Don Mills, Etobicoke, Downtown Toronto, Guelph, Niagara Falls, Peterborough, Belleville, and Sudbury
Designated Check-In Venue: East York Jamatkhana
Doors Open: 7:00 a.m.
For more information, refer to the Youth Mulaqat Ontario – Key Information page
Inter-Faith Gathering
For all of Eastern Canada – Ontario, Quebec & Maritimes
Venue: Automotive Building, Exhibition Place
Doors Open: 2:00 p.m.
Please Arrive By: 3:15 p.m
Doors Close: 4:00 p.m
For more information, refer to the Inter-Faith Gathering – Key Information page (details will be shared soon)
MONDAY, MARCH 30
Didar
For the Jamats of: Kitchener Headquarters, Unionville, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Meadowvale, Oshawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Halton, Hamilton, Guelph, London, Barrie, Niagara Falls, Brantford, Windsor, Peterborough, Belleville, and Sudbury
Venue: Enercare Centre Toronto
Doors Open: 12:30 p.m.
For more information, click Didar Ontario – Key Information page.
TUESDAY, MARCH 31
Youth Mulaqat
For the Jamats of: Kitchener Headquarters, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Unionville, Meadowvale, Oshawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Halton, Hamilton, London, Barrie, Windsor, and Brantford
Designated Check-In Venue: East York Jamatkhana
Doors Open: 6:00 a.m.
For more information, refer to the Youth Mulaqat Ontario – Key Information page
Didar
For the Jamats of: Toronto Headquarters, East York, Scarborough, Willowdale, Don Mills, Etobicoke, and Downtown Toronto
Venue: Enercare Centre Toronto
Doors Open: 11:00 a.m.
For more information, click Didar Ontario – Key Information page.
NOTE: Barakah recommends visiting the IICanada newsletter page for the most up-to-date information about the dates and venues of Didar and Mulaqat. Also click IICanada Home Page for all the pages related to the visit.
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February 15, 2026 to Current: Canada visit essential details
Following the announcement of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Eastern Canada from March 25-31, 2026, the Ismaili Institutions in Canada have started publishing essential details, information and programs related to the visit on the IICanada website. Please visit the official website or click on the following links for direct access to information.
- Canada visit: IICanada Home Page (for category breakdowns shown hereunder)
- Canada visit: Didar and Mulaqat schedule
- Canada visit: Didar Quebec & Maritimes – Key Information
- Canada visit: Didar Ontario – Key Information
- Canada visit: Access wristbands (also see video below)
- Canada visit: Didar Overview
- Canada visit: Youth & Young Adults Mulaqat
- Canada visit: Youth Connect
- Canada visit: Inter-Faith Families Information
- Canada visit: Recitation Auditions
- Canada visit: Frequently Asked Questions
- Canada visit: Jamati Joy: He’s finally coming
- Canada visit: Sukoon: Journey to Didar (1) – Preparing to be in the presence of the Imam-of-the-time
- Canada visit: Sukoon: Journey to Didar (2) in the Presence of Al-e-Nabi Aulad-e-Ali
- Canada visit: Jamati Joy: Tiny but Fearless
- Canada visit: My Didar Journey
- Canada visit: Canada Visit Eligibility
- Canada visit: Registration
- Canada visit: Time-Off Letters
- Canada visit: Volunteer Registration
- Canada visit: ACCESS – Canada Visit Support
- Canada visit: Art Installations
- Canada visit: Echoes of the Heart: Devotional Café
- Canada Visit: The Ismaili Sounds: “Yak Jama’atim” (One Jamat)
- Canada visit: Events Calendar | The Ismaili Canada
- Canada visit: Young Families
- Canada visit: Seniors
- Canada visit: Inter-Faith Families
- Canada visit: Canada Visit Fund
- Canada visit: Nazrana
- Canada visit: Caring Pledges
- Canada visit: Medical Services
- Canada visit: Diverse Abilities
- Canada visit: Caregiver
- Canada visit: Transportation
- Canada visit: Sustainability & Environment
- Canada visit: What To Bring
- Canada visit: Safety & Preparedness
38. Canada visit: YouTube Presentations
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February 15, 2026: Message from the President of His Highness the Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Canada
A special video message by Ameerally Kassim-Lakha, the President of the Aga Khan Council for Canada, on the occasion of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Canada.
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February 15 2026: Quebec Ismailis Celebrates news of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to eastern canada
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February 13-14, 2026: Announcement of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Canada
In a Talika Mubarak read in Jamatkhanas across Canada and worldwide on February 13-14, 2026, and reported on the Ismaili website on February 15, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, announced his upcoming official visit to Canada from March 25 to 31, 2026, at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during which he will meet with the Jamat in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces. Hazar Imam also expressed his intention to visit again in the near future to meet with the Jamat in Western Canada.
The historic visit to Canada will be the Ismaili Imam’s seventh to his spiritual children since becoming the Imam on February 4, 2025, following his recent visits to France, Kenya, Uganda, the USA, Portugal and the UK (click on the links for Barakah’s special coverage of the six trips).
We heartily congratulate the Jamat of Canada and share their excitement for this event. We are fully committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the visit, ensuring our readers worldwide are well informed, as we did with Mawlana Hazar Imam’s earlier visits.
External coverage:
- Royal News: Aga Khan to visit Canada
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam announces official visit to Canada
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2006-2025: Historical Notes
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, will visit Canada in March 2026 at the official invitation of Prime Minister Marc Carney. Before becoming the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada on March 5, 2025, and leading the Party to victory in the Federal election, which made him Canada’s Prime Minister in April 2025, Mark Carney had issued the following statement on his X account regarding the passing of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims.
On June 6, 2006, Mawlana Shah Karim was honoured with the Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, then Governor General of Canada. On May 30, 2010, Mawlana Shah Karim received Honorary Citizenship of Canada from then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the foundation-laying ceremony for the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre, and their Park. Both these honours underscore the respect and recognition the Ismaili Imamat has earned in Canada, emphasizing the community’s valued role in the country’s fabric.
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Ginan: A perennial supplication to the Imam-of-the-Time from all his spiritual children worldwide
Transliteration
Eji, Aash Karine Ya Ali hun tere dar ubhi,
Kar jodine em mangu Ya Shah;
Dejo didar tusi mahavar datar Shah,
Hama tere charane lagu.
Translation
With hope I stand at Thy door,
O Ali! And sincerely beg of Thee;
Bless me with Thy Holy Didar,
O Great Lord and Benefactor!
At Thy Feet I fall to prostrate
and
O Exalted Islam Shah [Imam-of-the-Time]
Our Lord and Master of the Age,
To you our hearts devoutly supplicate,
O the Eternal King and Lord of our souls!
Grace us with your visit to the Indian Subcontinent
[The Imam’s base at the time was in Iran.]
O Ali! You are Eternal,
You are the Lord of Eternity.
You alone are the Knower of the End,
Of the End that has no End
(Verses from Venti Ginan and Anant Akhado composed by Pir Hasan Kabirdin)
Date posted: February 19, 2026.
Last updated: March 25, 2026.
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Barakah 
Dear Malikbhai,
Your special coverage of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Eastern Canada is truly admirable. Your dedication and thoughtful reporting keep the Jamat informed and inspired.
Asante
Love, Light & Cheers
Muslim Harji
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