BY SENATOR MOBINA JAFFER
Special to THE VOICE
LAST week, Ismaili Muslims had the absolute pleasure of welcoming his Highness the Aga Khan to Canada to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee after 60 years as the religious leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims around the world.
The celebrations of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee is particularly reminiscent for me. Todays Diamond Jubilee mirrors the memories I have of his first coronation in Kampala, Uganda in 1958. As a young child, I closely trailed my father, who organized his coronation and had the incredible opportunity of witnessing High Highness’s first steps as the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims.
The Governor General articulately spoke of His Highness’ leadership and contributions around the world. She reverently addressed his tireless work dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in less fortunate places.
The Governor General also recounted her experience of a spaceflight in which she saw Mecca gleaming brightly, and concluded that it was a beacon of light “just like you are.”
Her statement reinforces His Highness’ dedication to promoting pluralism and understanding in a world that often forgets to embrace the differences that drive our diverse society.
In fact, for more than three quarters of his life, His Highness has worked determinedly to make this world a better place and improve the quality of life in less-developed regions of the world, such as mobilizing development programs in rural Indian, Pakistan, and Tajikistan to early childhood education in East Africa.
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