The South Asian Post is B.C.’s premier English language South Asian newspaper. They have published commemorative page in honor of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Canada. There’s also Flickr Slideshow at the source.
Golden Jubilation
Wed, November 26 2008
As much a celebration of community as a community leader, Ismailis from far and wide took to the streets in the thousands Monday to welcome His Highness The Aga Khan to Vancouver on his Golden Jubilee visit to the city.
Thousands more – over 25,000 devotees – attended the Aga Khan’s historic Golden Jubilee Darbar, or spiritual gathering, at BC Place Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Vancouver was the final stop on the Aga Khan’s eight day, four-city Canadian tour, which began in Ottawa last Tuesday, with stops in Toronto and Calgary.
As spiritual leader to some 15 million Ismaili Muslims around the globe, the Aga Khan is renown for his philanthropic work as founder of the Aga Khan Development Network, the world’s largest developmental aid society.
His continuing message of tolerance, pluralism and civic responsibility in a world rife with racial and religious conflict, as well as increasing economic disparity, resonates with people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
But most particularly with Ismailis, who look to the Aga Khan for guidance and inspiration.
Braving the chill night air, young children, parents, groups of friends, couples, grandparents and newborns lined the Aga Khan’s motorcade route as he arrived in Vancouver.
Waving Canada and B.C. flags, as well as the Aga Khan’s personal green and red standard, the jubilant crowd began assembling just after 4 p.m., five hours before the Aga Khan stepped from his gleaming white car and onto the red carpet outside the Pan Pacific Hotel.
“What he stands for, all he does around the world, it’s inspiring,” said Burnaby’s Aaqil Kassamali, positioned across from the hotel with friend Almira Bardai.
“It’s such a moving and exciting experience,” said Bardai, of Vancouver. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see our spiritual leader and hear his guidance.”
With the Vancouver Police Band enlivening the crowd, devotees chanted celebratory slogans, waved and shouted in anticipation of the Aga Khan’s arrival.
The Pradhan family came all the way from Halifax, NS, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee event in Vancouver.
“We both saved our vacations for this date,” said Shehza Pradhan, as his four-year-old daughter Serena anxiously waved her Canada flag.
“It’s emotional, it’s spiritual,” said Hameeda Pradhan, describing the meaningfulness of catching even a quick glimpse of the Aga Khan.
“He brings inner happiness, he’s our guide,” added Shehza. “It’s a tradition that goes back more than 1400 years to the prophet Muhammad.”
While in Vancouver, the Aga Khan also attended a luncheon in his honour arranged by B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Vancouver Mayor-Elect Gregor Robertson was in attendance, as was VPD Chief Jim Chu and a host of local dignitaries.
The Aga Khan also visited with Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, whose city hosts the magnificent Ismaili Jamatkhana, built in 1985 in honour of the Aga Khan’s Silver Jubilee.
Today, in this special keepsake section, we are sharing some images of the Aga Khan’s historic Golden Jubilee visit to Vancouver.
Ismailimail 
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