Ottawa, December 13, 2014 –The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement on the birthday of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan:
“We would like to extend warm birthday wishes to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, and to all Canadian Ismailis celebrating this happy milestone.
“As the spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim people, the Aga Khan stands as an extraordinary example of the value and success of cooperation and peaceful pluralism. These are values that Canada shares. It is also why the Global Centre for Pluralism was established in Ottawa, and why Canada actively partners with the Aga Khan Development Network on projects around the world.
“Earlier this year, we were honoured to invite the Aga Khan to address Canada’s Parliament. In his remarks, His Highness addressed the challenges facing the world today, including the paramount importance of defending religious freedom, and commended Canada for its global leadership in that regard.
“During the same historic visit, His Highness opened the beautiful new Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre in Toronto.
“We are proud of the warm association that Canada shares with the Aga Khan, who became an honourary Canadian citizen in 2009. In the words of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as he addressed His Highness, ‘When you are in Canada, you are home.’
“His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan is an inspiration to all Canadians and we wish him a long, healthy and blessed life.
“Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Gordon Campbell, has recently taken on the additional role as Canada’s Representative to the Ismaili Imamat. He will work to further strengthen Canada’s ties with the Aga Khan and engage on multiple issues, including the promotion of development, trade, foreign policy and human rights.”
English: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=914279
French: http://nouvelles.gc.ca/web/article-fr.do?nid=914279
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