Embassy, May 28th, 2008 – BOOK REVIEW
By Jeff Davis
Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World
By the Aga Khan – Douglas & McIntyre 153 pp. $24.95
He’s a world-famous philanthropist, a spiritual leader, a magnetic internationalist, and one of Canada’s biggest fans.
And while the Aga Khan’s two high-profile real estate pickups on Sussex Drive have attracted some attention, many Canadians are surely wondering who this man is, what he thinks, and why exactly he’s setting up shop in Ottawa.
We now have some answers.
In his new book, Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World, the Aga Khan unveils his ideas, ambitions, and intents to the citizenry of the country he clearly loves so dearly.
Published here in Canada for a Canadian audience, the book is a collection of 14 speeches the Aga Khan has given over the past few years.
In the slim volume, the 49th hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims delivers a concise and sophisticated commentary on contemporary global society, the importance of pluralist democracy, and the lessons Canada can provide to the world.
This book, in which he characterizes Canada as a model par excellence of functioning democratic pluralism, is at once a medium for educating Canadians on who he and his followers are, and a charming ode to the Canadian way of life. After all, if there is a Canadian dream, the Aga Khan and his people are living it.
The Aga Khan’s ethnically and linguistically diverse people are scattered through more than 35 countries, mostly in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and have sampled many flavours of bad governance.
Ismailis first came to Canada en masse in the 1970s after ethnic expulsions banished large numbers from Uganda and Pierre Trudeau swung open Canada’s gates.
In Canada, many Ismailis found a welcoming and accepting home. Their leader found here the societal model his people had been searching so long for—and he’s not afraid to say so.
“Canada is a pluralist society that has invested in building pluralism, where communities from different backgrounds and faiths are happy. A modern country that deals with modern issues, not running away from them but dealing with them,” he says at one reprieve. “Few countries, if any, have been as successful as Canada has.”
It’s nice to hear, eh?
Us self-effacing Canadians typically shy away from self-celebration. The Aga Khan knows this, at times gently ribbing Canada for being “too humble” about its unique accomplishments.
He encourages Canada, as an expert at making pluralism and federalism work, to export these much-needed lessons abroad. After all, he says, “pluralist societies do not happen by themselves, as accidents of history.”
Latently communicating his prestige and international standing are the locations where he speaks and the audiences he addresses. The speeches were delivered in places like Tajikistan, Amsterdam and Ottawa to groups at the Nobel Institute, various universities and the annual conference of German ambassadors.
The introduction to the book is written by former governor-general Adrienne Clarkson, a friend and ally to the Aga Khan who appointed him an honourary companion of the Order of Canada.
Last year, the Aga Khan celebrated the 50th anniversary of his reign by setting down a trio of permanent roots in Canada.
Adding to his sizeable assemblage of charitable organizations clustered around the Aga Khan Development Network is the Global Centre for Pluralism, housed in Ottawa’s old war museum. The centre was founded with the help of a $30-million contribution from the Canadian government, and will “learn from the Canadian history of pluralism.”
A second initiative is the Aga Khan Museum, which will be built in Toronto to house a collection of treasures from the Islamic world.
Last, but not least, is the soaringly architectural Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, a quasi-diplomatic legation currently under construction on Sussex Drive.
The delegation, the Aga Khan says, will be “an epitome to friendship to one and all, it will radiate Islam’s precepts of humanity, the dignity of man, and the nobility of joint striving in deeds of goodness.”
The delegation is set to open up in the fall of 2008.
Related:
Where Hope Takes Root – By: His Highness The Aga Khan
Where Hope Takes Root made it to the top 10 bestselling non-fiction books in Canada
New Book ‘Where Hope Takes Root’ is now available
Why the world needs more Canada – Muslim leader – (His Highness the Aga Khan) gives us high marks in new book
Leader of Ismaili Muslims praises Canada for its inclusive government
Ismailimail 
It is inspiring to have the Aga Khan as our leader to guide us to honour mankind and to strive to improve humanity. His immense love for peoples of all nations creates a sense of humility in me. The Aga Khan’s vision is astounding. I believe we have only seen the ‘tip of the iceberg’.
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Lovely from nader farhat
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