Sussex Drive has a new tenant

Prime Minister and the Aga Khan at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat. Photo: Farhan Devji, the Charlatan.

Stephen Harper has not been greeted with the most courteous of welcomes by anyone, anywhere as of late but the Prime Minister, who is currently tangled in Canada’s latest web of government drama, had that trend bucked when he attended a house-warming party of sorts for his newest neighbour on Saturday.

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader – or Imam – of approximately 80 thousand Ismaili Muslims in Canada and 20 million across the world, officially opened the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat on Saturday in the presence of his family, the Prime Minister, former Canadian Governor General Adrian Clarkson, and government and Ismaili leaders from across Canada. And the trying time in Canada and for Harper specifically was not lost on the Imam.

“I particularly want to thank the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, for the honour of his presence, at a time of immense global challenges for those who bear the responsibilities of national leadership” said the Aga Khan at the beginning of his speech, according to a transcript from theismaili.org.

Sussex Drive’s latest landmark is a 50-million dollar, beautifully constructed edifice designed by internationally renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki of Toronto’s Moriyama & Teshima. At the request of the Aga Khan, the Delegation creates a certain mystique by way of the “mysteries of rock crystal”. While its elegance is sheer and awe-inspiring, gazers from the outside and in, may not necessarily be struck by its outward beauty, rather though by its subtle and striking fascination, which the Aga Khan believes emanates from the rocky crystal.

An outside view of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat. Photo: theismaili.org

Physically and through the likening to rock crystal, the Aga Khan wanted the building to represent “symbolically to the Faith of Islam”.  He said that “qualities [of] rock crystal seem to be such an appropriate symbol of the profound beauty and the ever-unfolding mystery of Creation itself – and the Creator,” referring to the Islamic God of Allah.

But going beyond its physical beauty, there was a reason why the Aga Khan chose Canada to establish his first ever Delegation – a building which will act as a home to his various developmental organizations such as the AKDN – in Canada. The Aga Khan, who returned to Canada for the second time in as many weeks as a part of his Golden Jubilee commemoration to open the Delegation, has had a longstanding relationship with Canada. Stemming from the time of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who welcomed immigrants into Canada from unsettling times in East Africa during the late 70’s, the Ismaili population and the Aga Khan have not been strangers to Canada and have become an instrumental part of its makeup.

A view of the spacious atrium inside the Delegation. Photo: Farhan Devji, the Charlatan.

Additionally, the Aga Khan – who is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailis and is believed to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad – said that the Delegation is intended to be “new creative link between the spiritual dimensions of Islam and the cultures of the West”.

It has been well-documented that, according to His Highness, there has been a misunderstanding between the Western world and the Islamic world. A misunderstanding which he has called a “clash of ignorance” as opposed to what other scholars and critics have called a “clash of civilizations”.

The Aga Khan seemingly hopes to put both of these clashes to an end through his continuing relations with Canada. Other projects underway in Canada, founded by the Aga Khan and some with backing from the Canadian government, are the Global Center for Pluralism which will be housed in the old Canadian War Museum, also on Sussex Drive, in Ottawa, and a new Ismaili Jamatkhana, Center and Museum in Toronto.

His Highness makes a speech at the opening of the Delegation. Photo: Farhan Devji, the Charlatan.

Prince Karim the Aga Khan IV, who is approaching his 72nd birthday on December 13th, said that “the establishment of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat represents yet another step on a long path” of positive relations between himself, his institutions and Canada. Additionally, he said that being able to have the Delegation sited on Sussex Drive is “a symbol of the outgoing, interactive spirit which must guide our response to global challenges”.

But what Ismailis, Canadians and citizens globally should take from the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat being housed on Confederation Drive in one of the world’s most pluralist, tolerant, accepting countries, is that the Aga Khan truly represents all that is good in Islam. And what is good in Islam is good for the world.

Photos courtesy of TPB News Ottawa Correspondant, Farhan Devji, who was on assignment for the Carleton University student newspaper, The Charlatan, during the opening of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat. Stay tuned for Farhan’s article covering the opening for the Charlatan, in early January.

Ismaili leader, the Aga Khan, visits Vancouver

It was cold, dark and the rain was pouring down on Metro Vancouver, but not even a gloomy mid November downpour could wash the bright smiles off over 20,000 Ismaili Muslim faces this past Tuesday.

Members of the Ismaili community paraded the streets of downtown Vancouver around BC Place on Tuesday delighted with having an opportunity to be graced with the presence of their spiritual leader – or Imam – His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, leader of approximately 80 thousand Ismailis in Canada and tens of millions more spanning 25 countries worldwide.

The Aga Khan speaks at a luncheon hosted by BC Premier, Gordon Campbell

“It was a very exciting time,” said Amaan-Ali Fazal, 21. “I remember having butterflies in my stomach as I walked into BC Place.” Fazal, who is a member of the Ismaili Students Association executive body at Simon Fraser University, also spoke of his unique opportunity of being able to welcome the Aga Khan to Vancouver along with other distinguished members of the community, at the Vancouver International Airport on Monday evening.

“It was a feeling I could never describe” said Fazal of the airport welcome. “At the airport, my physical being was happy and at BC Place my soul was happy.”

The Aga Khan is welcomed in a ceremony at YVR. Photo courtesy of: theismaili.org

Although only a select few were able to greet His Highness as he got off the plane on Monday night, thousands more lined the streets of downtown Vancouver to welcome the Aga Khan to Vancouver when he was en route from YVR to the Pan Pacific hotel, where he lodged on his overnight stay. Sheeba Amlani, 23, was one of those anticipatory Ismailis.

“It was exhilarating,” said Amlani, who works for Scouts Canada in Vancouver and is an active member of the Ismaili Community. “It was one more opportunity to see the Aga Khan and be in his presence, even [if] for just a moment.”

The Aga Khan spent seven days in Canada, from November 18th-25th, as a part of his worldwide tour of countries in which Ismailis reside. Canada is his fourteenth stop during his Golden Jubilee commemoration, which began on July 7, 2007 and marks his fiftieth year as Imam of the Ismaili population. His visit began with stops in Toronto and Calgary and culminated Tuesday in a closed door meeting with his followers at BC Place.

“There was a huge amount of happiness within the community,” reflected Fazal from his home on Wednesday. “Times like this certainly bring out the best in people. People forget about their sense of time, and generously give countless volunteer hours.”

In an increasingly capricious economic climate, the Imam is said to deliver messages of guidance pertaining to worldly and spiritual matters. But the mood of this visit commemorating his Jubilee, according to Fazal, was joyous and celebratory.

“He spoke about his Golden Jubilee projects in Canada, as well as his key goals for the Golden Jubilee year.  He also spoke in great admiration of the volunteers in the community who made everything in the visit possible.”

Ismailis line the streets on Monday night to welcome the Aga Khan. Courtesy of: canada.com

Sheeba Amlani was one of those volunteers leading up to and on the day of the visit, she assisted on the parking and transport team. When asked why she decided to volunteer, Amlani cited two reasons. “The first was through my sense of responsibility and the second was through my desire to be involved emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”

Amlani, who aspires to become an elementary school teacher, said that the Aga Khan’s guidance helps her in her daily life. “In my daily life, his guidance often helps me make the right decisions regarding my health, my education, and my future so that I will be able to achieve success and happiness and so that I may be able to use my knowledge and resources to help those around me.”

And while his visits are well noted, celebrated and joyous, Amlani and the rest Ismaili population does not forget that the benefits of a visit by His Highness – believed by Ismailis to be the bearer of the light or noor of Prophet Muhammad – for them are overwhelmingly spiritual.

“Religiously, he and his guidance help connect me spiritually to Allah,” she explained. “It is through this recognition of who the Aga Khan is and the remembrance of Allah that my soul is uplifted and purifed.”

Fazal, like many other Ismaili Muslims, says he was rejuvenated and inspired by being in the presence of the Aga Khan. “The material aspect of actually seeing him, inspires me to enhance my spirituality,” he said.

The Aga Khan, who ascended to the throne of Imamat in 1957 after succeeding his grandfather as the 49th hereditary Imam the Ismailis, is no stranger to Canada. Within the past few years, he and his Aga Khan Development Network have commissioned the creation of the Global Centre for Pluralism to be housed in the former Canadian War Museum on Sussex Drive, along with the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in the Nation’s capital, and the new Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre and Museum in Toronto.

He is expected to return to Canada in December for the inauguration of the Delegation in Ottawa, news which has his followers elated.

“I would never turn down the opportunity to see my Imam,” said Amlani looking forward to December. “And though he will return and be present in a different aspect, his presence is nonetheless certain to bring out my yearning and awe.” Fazal echoed many of the same sentiments. “A personality like his always leaves you wanting more – I’m extremely excited for his return,” he said. “It’s an absolute honour. I look forward to living up to his expectations in Canada.”

The Aga Khan last visited Canada last in 2005 in a similar type of visit which had him stop in Toronto and Vancouver. His Golden Jubilee commemoration is expected to end on December 13th, his 72nd birthday, a day which is known as Salgirah Khushiali to Ismailis.

Do you still kick your dog?

* The scripture references in this article are from the New International Version of the bible.

A very interesting sections in Romans deals with submission to authorities.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-3)”

If rebelling against established authorities is to rebel against God, how is the formation of the protestant church legitimate in the eyes of God? Clearly, its formation defies the leadership of the Catholic Church. Another instance of defying established authorities is the American Revolution. American politics is dominated by the influence of God, yet the country rebelled against British authority. Many authorities have been over thrown by fractions that legitimize their own movement by claiming the backing of God. Moreover, Paul is rebelling against established authorities by preaching against other religious practices. Paul continues his defiance of human created laws in Corinthians when he states:

“I care very little if I am judged by you or by human court (1 Corinthians 4:3)”

Does this mean he is rebelling against God by rebelling against authorities? It may be argued that Paul is referring to the authority of God rather than human authorities. This argument is invalid for he states:

“This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants (Romans 13:6)”

This one line coupled with Romans 13:1-3 identifies human authorities as being established by God, some of the same authorities that Paul preaches against. The idea of spreading the Christian faith appears, especially if it requires preaching against government bodies or other religious faiths, at odds with the message to obey established human authorities. If the human authorities put forth laws that defy Gods’ laws, which happens so often, is the authority still legitimized by God? Whether or not the human law is a test for man is irrelevant as the situation is the same as inquiring whether a person “still kicks their dog?” If the person never kicked their dog there is no right answer. As with human laws inconsistent to God’s law, the follower either breaks the law of God by sinful acts or disobeys God by disobeying established authorities, a situation that is hardly just.