Ottawa, 16 May 2016 — Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Canada this afternoon, commencing six-day visit to the country. During the visit, Hazar Imam will be in Ottawa and Toronto to attend various meetings and events.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam was received on behalf of the Government of Canada by Geoffrey Dean, Deputy Chief of Protocol. AKDN Resident Representative Mahmoud Eboo, Ismaili Council for Canada President Malik Talib and other senior Jamati leaders welcomed Hazar Imam on behalf of the institutions and the Jamat.

On Thursday, Mawlana Hazar Imam will deliver introductory remarks at the Global Centre for Pluralism’s Annual Pluralism Lecture, being held at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

Ottawa, 17 May 2016 — This afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam was at at Parliament Hill, where he received a warm welcome from the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau. The pair met in the Prime Minister’s office at Centre Block to discuss “pluralism, diversity and all the things that Canada can contribute to offering more peace and stability in the world,” according to the Prime Minister.

Earlier today Hazar Imam toured the future international headquarters of the Global Centre for Pluralism, which is presently undergoing renovation. Situated along Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the heritage building — which formerly housed Canada’s War Museum — is due to become the Centre’s international headquarters.

Mawlana Hazar Imam is in Canada to attend various meetings and events in Ottawa and Toronto. On Thursday he will deliver introductory remarks at the Annual Pluralism Lecture taking place at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

Toronto, 19 May 2016 — Justice Albie Sachs, an activist, freedom fighter and a former judge on the Constitutional Court of South Africa, delivered the Annual Pluralism Lecture this evening. He was introduced by Mawlana Hazar Imam as as “a chief architect of South Africa’s new post-apartheid constitution, one of the most admired constitutions in the world.”

Justice Sachs recounted a riveting story of South Africa’s to struggle to redefine itself as a post-apartheid nation. The people faced a fundamental choice between accepting a power sharing structure along the dividing lines of race, or striving towards pluralism by recognising the equality of all people on the basis of a shared humanity.

The pluralist vision won out in the end. It was enshrined in South Africa's Bill of Rights — now seen as a model that other countries look to as they craft their own constitutions.

In a heartfelt gesture that capped his emotional story, Justice Sachs presented Mawlana Hazar Imam with a copy of the Bill of Rights, which he described as “South Africa's most precious gift to the world.”

The Global Centre for Pluralism’s Annual Pluralism Lecture invites international leaders who have made a difference in the world to share their insights on pluralism. Past lecturers include Canada's Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Held in the auditorium of the Aga Khan Museum, the event drew an eminent gathering, which included Princess Zahra and Prince Aly Muhammad, as well as former Canadian Governor General Adrienne Clarkson — who gave the closing remarks — and other prominent Canadian and international leaders.

Toronto, 20 May 2016 — At a special ceremony held this evening, the Pontifical Institute for Mediaeval Studies awarded Mawlana Hazar Imam an honorary degree for his service to humanity.

A Doctor of Letters in Mediaeval Studies honoris causa was conferred upon Mawlana Hazar Imam at St Basil’s Collegiate Church by the Chancellor of the Institute, His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto.

David Mulroney, President of the University of St Michael’s College and a former Canadian Ambassador to China, delivered the citation.

“Let us celebrate today our own connection to His Highness, a champion of pluralism, a transcender of borders and barriers, and a great, wise and benevolent connector,” said President Mulroney.

Founded in 1929, the Pontifical Institute for Mediaeval Studies is the oldest humanities research institute in Canada. It is dedicated to advancing studies in the intellectual and material cultures of the Middle Ages, and to deepening the understanding of how this period has shaped life and ideals in Western culture. It received a papal charter in 1939.

Toronto, 21 May 2016 — Mawlana Hazar Imam and Prince Aly Muhammad departed Canada this morning, completing a busy visit to the country.

Hazar Imam’s visit began in Ottawa, where he met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and toured the future international headquarters of the Global Centre for Pluralism.

In Toronto, Mawlana Hazar Imam attended the GCP’s Annual Pluralism Lecture, where he introduced the 2016 keynote speaker, Justice Albie Sachs.

Yesterday evening, Hazar Imam received an honorary degree from the Pontifical Institute for Mediaeval Studies for his service to humanity.