Over 50 countries invest 250+ honours to an individual that Canada’s 26th Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson, refers to as “the most magnificent human being – His Highness the Aga Khan”
The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson with His Highness the Aga Khan after receiving the Prize for Global Citizenship. (Image credit: AKDN / Lisa Sakulensky)
“Here I am with the most magnificent human being – His Highness the Aga Khan.”
Following the Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship presentation event
Toronto, Canada (September 23, 2016)
Over the past several months and at the recent Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship, Canadian leaders from across a broad spectrum of fields have shared profound sentiments about His Highness the Aga Khan’s leadership in global affairs, his work and its impact across the world to bring peace and prosperity.
It is with these sentiments from Canadian leaders in mind that we take the opportunity to update the matrix of Aga Khan’s Constellation of Accolades that was originally presented as an exclusive feature on Ismailimail about two and a half years ago.
This piece is a continuation of our Diamond Jubilee awareness and education series that we launched on July 8th, in a lead up to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee.
His Excellency David Johnston, 28th Governor General of Canada
His Highness the Aga Khan meeting with the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, October 7, 2010. (Image credit: Governor General’s website)
“Your belief in the value of working across physical and spiritual borders illuminates our world.
… I think your Global Centre for Pluralism best expresses your understanding of the value of working as widely as possible across physical boundaries and borders of mind to enhance people’s lives. ”
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, 23rd Prime Minister of Canada
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada with His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan. (Image credit: Jean Marc Carisse)
“Over the years Canada has built a close relationship with His Highness the Aga Khan … Indeed the values promoted by the Aga Khan are deeply held in Canada …
… I am honoured to call him a dear friend and a mentor and could not imagine a more deserving recipient of the Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship. He has shown time and time again that […] we are equal members of this world.
… For half a century the Aga Khan has shown that about the world.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Canada and the world are stronger and richer because of your commitment to diversity and to finding common ground, to helping those most vulnerable and to believing in a better, closer, more inclusive world.”
Eleven years ago, the then sitting Governor General invested His Highness the Aga Khan with an honourary Companion, the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest formal civilian tribute, “in recognition of his life of generosity, of thoughtful stewardship, and of benevolent spiritual direction.” In her citation, she continued to elaborate by saying:
The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada and Highness the Aga Khan after the investiture of the Order of Canada (Image credit: AKDN/Zahur Ramji)
“I have been deeply impressed that you have been able to bring to everything you do, a generosity, importantly, a curiosity, an intelligence and above all, a deep compassion for other human beings.
To do what you must with what you have is a lesson we must all learn.
He is part of a very tiny group of international figures to whom our country pays its highest respects.”
Delivering the citation at the Order of Canada investiture ceremony for His Highness the Aga Khan
Ottawa, Canada (June 6, 2005)
Honourable Senator Peter Harder
AKDN Resident Representative Dr Mahmoud Eboo and his wife Karima, Chief Guest Senator Peter Harder, and Ismaili Council President Malik Talib at the Imamat Day reception. (Image credit: AKDN / Safiq Devji)
” … as Canadians celebrate our country’s 150th anniversary, we will also celebrate His Highness’ Diamond Jubilee.
… In marking those happy milestones together, let us find new opportunities to strengthen our friendship and advance our shared and deeply held values.”
In an address on behalf of the Canadian government, marking His Highness the Aga Khan’s 59 years of Imamat
Ottawa, Canada (July 7, 2016)
David Mulroney, President of the University of St Michael’s College and a former Canadian Ambassador to China
The convocation of the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies took place at St Basil’s Collegiate Church in Toronto. Mr. David Mulroney, President of the University of St. Michael’s College and former Ambassador to the Republic of China delivered the citation. (Image credit: AKDN / Mo Govindji)
“Given the energy and vigour with which His Highness pursues his calling, and the extent to which he has used it to benefit not only Ismaili Muslims but a broad range of communities around the world – with a particular attention to the most vulnerable – it is all the more impressive to recall that His Highness has been serving in this remarkable capacity since 1957.
His Highness is a great connector, a builder of bridges metaphorically and actually … a champion of pluralism, a transcender of borders and barriers … and a great, wise and benevolent connector.”
Delivering the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies citation for His Highness the Aga Khan
Toronto, Canada (May 20, 2016)
Matrix of the Constellation of Honours
The matrix represents the various constellations – the awards, honorary degrees, honours and tributes His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan has been endowed with over the course of his 59 years Imamat.
The matrix in summary:
29 Titles and state decorations;
23 Honorary degrees from 11 countries – top regional universities representing the US Ivy League, Canadian Group of 13, UK’s Russell Group, and others;
16 Civic honours including Honorary Citizenship of Canada and several “Key to the City” and “Freedom of the City” tributes;
17 Fellowships and executive appointments representing 9 investitures as Foreign Member to several state academies (for the creation of new knowledge – promoting research and stimulating the enhancement of thought, literature, language and other forms of national culture) and 3 leadership posts at influential European institutions to promote diplomacy, culture and development;
35 Awards spanning domains such as architecture and the built environment, restoration and the revival of culture, education, health, philanthropy, sports, business enterprise, diplomacy, peace and global citizenship;
111 Keynote/presidential addresses to various UN organizations, several government organizations including parliaments, and other international organizations; and
55 Commemorative stamps issued by 19 different national philatelic societies to mark 25 different occasions of the Aga Khan’s significant events and milestones.
Click the image for the latest edition of the Matrix and details on the Constellation of Honours – His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV
Mawlana Hazar Imam: “When I assumed the responsibilities of the Imamat … I too became involved, as leader of the Ismaili community, in that most vital business, the well-being of ordinary people.” - “My Grandfather dedicated his life to the Imamat and Islam, both of which for him…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 2014 to June 2017 - “The voices of civil society will reflect and express the growing complexity of society, not…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 2009 to 2013 - “The new Museum will have a strong educational vocation: it will be a place for…
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee Journey - On July 11, 2007, leaders of the global Jamat paid homage to Mawlana Hazar Imam…
Legacy of Jubilees – Legacy of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee – July 11, 2007 to December 13, 2008 - “The Ismaili tradition looks upon a Jubilee anniversary as a good time to launch new projects...."
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 2003 to 2007 - “In the Muslim ethical tradition, which links spirit and matter, the Imam not only leads…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 1998 to 2002 - The new notions of free enterprise, of creating wealth, these are sound notions but they…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 1993 to 1997 - “The right to hope is the most powerful human motivation I know. Its importance has…
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada calls His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan “a dear friend and a mentor,” an inspiring global citizen of an inclusive world - In a year that had us questioning, above all else, our humanity, His Highness Prince…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 1988 to 1992 - “Many days in a lifetime are unremarkable, some are notable, few are unforgettable. In the…
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan at 80: A portrait of service to humanity – a man who is perhaps the only person in the world to whom everyone listens - “… a man who is perhaps the only person in the world to whom everyone…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 1983 to 1987 - “Although this University is new, it will draw inspiration from the greatest traditions of Islamic…
Legacy of Jubilees – Silver Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam: “…the issue of improving the living conditions of the poor has long been of the deepest concern to me.” - “…the visual, physical and emotional impact of a decent home can light the spirit of…
Legacy of Jubilees – Silver Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam: “We will not let bigotry, communalism or sectarianism make our lives inward-looking and increasingly meaningless…” - “…the question is less one of whether a man is successful in business or in…
Mawlana Hazar Imam: “…this Silver Jubilee is a symbolic affirmation of the ties between myself as Imam and the Ismaili community…” - “Indeed this Silver Jubilee is a symbolic affirmation of the ties between myself as Imam…
Legacy of Jubilees – Silver Jubilee of Mawlana Hazar Imam - “…my Silver Jubilee year should be dedicated to the social and economic improvement of the…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 1978 to 1982 - 1978 to 1982 Mawlana Hazar Imam established the joint Aga Khan Programme for Islamic Architecture…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee – Snapshots of Imamat – 1973 to 1977 - “The nature of the religious office which I hold neither requires nor is expected by…
Over 50 countries invest 250+ honours to an individual that Canada’s 26th Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson, refers to as “the most magnificent human being – His Highness the Aga Khan” - Over the past several months and at the recent Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship, Canadian leaders from across a broad spectrum of fields
Legacy of Jubilees of Imam Sultan Mohamed Shah - Imam Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah Aga Khan III succeeded as Imam on August 17, 1885 at…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee: Snapshots of Imamat – 1968 to 1972 - We continue with our countdown to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee with a reflection on…
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee: Snapshots of Imamat – 1963 to 1967 - We continue with our countdown with a snapshot of Imam's activities and selected world events focusing mainly on the developments in science and technology.
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee to be celebrated in 2017-18 | The Ismaili - Mawlana Hazar Imam has graciously consented to marking the 60th year of his Imamat as the Diamond Jubilee.
Countdown to Diamond Jubilee: Snapshots of Imamat – 1957 to 1962 - Mawlana Hazar Imam became the forty-ninth hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 while still a student at Harvard University.
World Wide Honors & Global Impact of the Ismaili Imamat: His Highness Aga Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III & His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV - Ahead of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan's 59 years of Imamat, we celebrate with this collection below, highlighting the world wide impact of our two beloved Imams and the honors the world has bestowed on them for service to humanity.
Ismailimail 