Remarks by Princess Zahra in Vancouver, British Columbia

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, 

Honourable Minister Harjit Sajjan,

Your Honours Salma Lakhani and Dr. Zaheer Lakhani, 

Honourable Minister Conroy,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great privilege for my brother and I to be here on behalf of our father, His Highness the Aga Khan. His Highness has asked us both to convey warm greetings to you all, and to express his special gratitude to Her Honour for her kind and warm hospitality.

During this week, my uncle, my brother, and I have been in Canada, on behalf of His Highness, to commemorate important milestones in a variety of partnerships across the country. Fifty years ago, Canada welcomed Asians expelled from Uganda, including the first large group of Ismaili Muslims to this nation. Since that time, Ismailis from across the globe have made this country their home. This week has been a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon that last half-century, both to bear witness to the contributions of the Ismaili community to this nation, and to express our gratitude to Canada.

As you all know, earlier today, the Government of British Columbia and the Ismaili Imamat signed an Agreement of Cooperation that formalizes our commitment to improving quality of life here in British Columbia and around the world. Earlier this week, the City of Toronto bestowed honours on His Highness and ground was broken on a new multi-generational housing initiative. Yesterday, we opened the Diwan pavilion at the Aga Khan Garden at the University of Alberta, which will bring together people for cultural, social and education programming. 

These initiatives, amongst many others across the country, are concrete reminders of the benefits of that decision, 50 years ago - a very Canadian choice to react to a horrifying situation halfway across the world with characteristic warmth, openness, and humanity.  It would have been easier just to say no.  But Canada welcomed those and other refugee with open arms and generosity. And I believe that has contributed to the rich tapestry that defines this country today.

Canada has supported the Ismaili community’s development and progress, as it has with so many other communities from around the world. This is the power of Canadian pluralism - that it enables people of diverse backgrounds to come together in joint and common effort to improve the quality of life of all. And it is the reason that His Highness, in partnership with the Government of Canada, chose to establish the Global Centre for Pluralism in this country.

We live in a world grappling with increasing migration, too often caused by conflict, disaster, climate change, and poverty. Canada has shown that with clear intent, intelligent policy, considered leadership, and humility, it is possible to create the right conditions for people to flourish together. It is my father’s wish, which I am sure we all share, that the Ismaili community’s experiences here over the past five decades be an inspiration for other communities around the world.

His Highness has noted that a central mandate of his role as Imam is to work with others to improve the quality of life of the Community and all those amongst whom they live. I want to express my deep gratitude to British Columbia, and to Canada, on behalf of our family and our community, for the ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life of all, reflecting on any shortcomings, and redoubling efforts, such as reconciliation with the indigenous communities. 

That abiding commitment to equality of opportunity lies at the heart of so much of what this country has to offer to the world, in these challenging times. This will endure for many years. 

Thank you.