■Aga Khan brings deep ties to Canada in address to Parliament yesterday.
HunzaNews February 28th, 2014.
“One key to Canada’s success in building a meritocratic civil society is your recognition that democratic societies require more than democratic governments,” the spiritual leader said before members of both houses.
The hereditary spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims spoke at length about improving societies through institutions outside of government.
“The sad fact behind so much instability in our world today is that governments are seen to be inadequate to these challenges. A much happier fact is that, in the global effort to change this picture, Canada is an exemplary leader,” he said.
The Aga Khan said the world needs to look beyond the government and private sector. He spoke of the Ismaili community’s Aga Khan Development Network, which has been supporting economic development, education and health care, among other things, in countries around the world.
“Increasingly, I believe, the voices of civil society are voices for change – where change has been overdue. They have been voices of hope for people living in fear,” he said in his speech.
Politics to blame for religious clashes
He praised Canada for the country’s emphasis on education, as well as the government’s creation of the Office of Religious Freedom.
The spiritual leader spoke of the “harsh reality” of the rise of religious hostility and intolerance, particularly in countries such as the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Myanmar.
The Aga Khan also addressed the wide variance of Muslim cultures and misconceptions about how Muslims view the world.
“Essential among them is that they do not share some common, overarching impression of the West. It has become a commonplace for some to talk about an inevitable clash of the industrial West and Islamic civilizations. But most Muslims don’t see things this way,” he said in his speech.
The Aga Khan blamed clashes between Islam and other faiths on political circumstances and economic ambitions of governments, rather than deep religious divides.
“Sadly, what is highly abnormal in the Islamic world often gets mistaken for what is normal. Of course, media perceptions of our world in recent years have often been conveyed through a lens of war,” the spiritual leader said.
The Aga Khan switched over to French in the midst of his address to proclaim that, despite existing misconceptions, harmony is possible. He said a constitutional approach could be used to correct the inadequacies of existing state policies, especially when societies are still developing.
This is an essential topic that my duties prevent me from ignoring, he said.
The Aga Khan’s words come as the province of Quebec is embroiled in a fiery debate over the proposed charter of values, which would prevent public servants from wearing religious symbols — including crucifixes, hijabs, turbans and yarmulkes.
The proposed charter is carving a deep divide in a province that’s long struggled with identity politics and secession attempts.
Deep ties with Canada
Before beginning his address, the Aga Khan congratulated Canada on the gold medal performances of its hockey teams in Sochi.
“I was hoping you would require your honorary citizens to join your team,” he said, explaining that he was an ex-player himself. “I am convinced that the Dalai Lama and I would have been a formidable defence.”
The Aga Khan was made an honorary citizen of Canada in 2010, a distinction he shares with the Dalai Lama.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave the Aga Khan a warm welcome in his introduction.
“When you are in Canada, you are home,” Harper said.
He also spoke of the deep ties between the Imamat — the entity that represents the succession of Imams — and Canada, especially with regards to diversity.
“Canadians are strongest when we have the support of those who share our values.”
There was a large audience to hear the Aga Khan speak in the House of Commons, including Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
Earlier in the morning, the Aga Khan was greeted on the Hill and then met privately with Harper.
CBC News has also learned the Aga Khan is expected to meet privately with opposition leaders.
Following the speech, the spiritual leader and Harper will sign a protocol agreement to strengthen ties between the Imamat and Canada.
“Our partnership in Canada has been immensely strengthened, of course, by the presence — for more than four decades — of a significant Ismaili community,” the Aga Khan said in his speech.
The 77-year-old Aga Khan is a regular visitor to Canada, with his most recent trip coming last November following visits in 2008 and 2010.
The Aga Khan became the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in 1957, when he succeeded his grandfather.
With thanks to The Canadian Press
