Aga Khan to become Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada

We are in a period in history where the dialogue regarding Islam, at least in the English speaking world, is preoccupied with fundamentalism. It is refreshing and delightful to see that a prominent figure from one of the countless compassionate and moderate factions of Islam formally recognized. The following is from the citation of the Governor General of Canada:

"Personifying cherished Canadian values, His Highness the Aga Khan has devoted his life to protecting the environment and alleviating human suffering due to poverty. Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims since 1957, he has guided the spiritual growth of his followers, teaching compassion and tolerance by example. In 1967, he launched his foundation, the Aga Khan Development Network, with branches in countries around the world, including Canada. Recognizing our nation's caring spirit, he cites Canada as a role model for the world and has selected Ottawa as the home of a new Global Centre for Pluralism."

The following excerpt from an AKDN page summarizes the Islam of the Shia Imami Ismali Muslims under the Aga Khan's spiritual leadership:

"The Aga Khan has emphasized the view of Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith, one that teaches compassion and tolerance and that upholds the dignity of man, Allah's noblest creation. In the Shia tradition of Islam, it is the mandate of the Imam of the time to safeguard the individual's right to personal intellectual search and to give practical expression to the ethical vision of society that the Islamic message inspires. Addressing, the International Conference on the Example (Seerat) of the Prophet Muhammad in Karachi in 1976, the Aga Khan said that the wisdom of Allah's final Prophet in seeking new solutions for problems which could not be solved by traditional methods, provides the inspiration for Muslims to conceive a truly modern and dynamic society, without affecting the fundamental concepts of Islam."

Tags: religion pluralism