Upon his arrival, Hazar Imam was greeted by AKDN Resident Representative for Canada Dr Mahmoud Eboo, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada Malik Talib, Vice-President of the Ismaili Council for Canada Karima Karmali, President of the Ismaili Council for Edmonton Zahra Somani and President of the Aga Khan University Firoz Rasul.
Tomorrow, Mawlana Hazar Imam will join Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell and Premier of Alberta Rachel Notley at the inauguration ceremony of the Aga Khan Garden, the northernmost Islamic garden in the world, and the first of its kind in western Canada. The 4.8-hectare, Mughal-inspired garden was gifted to the University of Alberta Botanic Garden by Mawlana Hazar Imam in recognition of the close partnership between the University of Alberta and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and serves as a symbol of their continued intellectual, educational, and cultural collaboration.
The Garden is one of a number of significant contributions made by Mawlana Hazar Imam in Canada and joins a network of other permanent investments made by the Ismaili Imamat in the country, including the Aga Khan Museum and Park in Toronto, the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat and Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, and the Ismaili Centres in Burnaby and Toronto. These enduring gifts are a reflection of the strength of the partnership between the Imamat and Canada — a partnership inspired by shared values and a mutual dedication to the values of pluralism and diversity as enablers of peace and progress.
During his visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam will also attend special ceremonies of three prominent Canadian universities. On 17 October, Hazar Imam will be conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary in recognition of his exceptional contributions to humanity. On 19 October, in a joint ceremony that is the first of its kind, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University will confer Mawlana Hazar Imam with honorary Doctors of Laws degrees for his humanitarian and social contributions.
Coverage of the Aga Khan Garden inauguration ceremony will commence at 2 PM MDT on 16 October 2018 and will be webcast live at the.ismaili/live.
The University of Calgary degree ceremony will be webcast live commencing at 2 PM MDT on 17 October 2018 at the.ismaili/live.
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Aga Khan Garden Inauguration Webcast:
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University of Calgary Degree Ceremony Webcast:
