His Highness the Aga Khan: A tremendous force for Global Peace and Pluralism

In advance of the upcoming Canadian visit of Mowlana Hazar Imam, aka #AgaKhan, for the @GlobalPluralism’s #PluralismAward2017 ceremony, it is important to understand who he is, not only in his words, but also those of esteemed members of the global community. #DiamondJubilee 1/ pic.twitter.com/eGT5nfHrBo

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

My first reference is the 22nd Prime Minister of @Canada, @StephenHarper, who among many words of respect and honour, most recently referred to the #AgaKhan as a “tremendous force for global peace and pluralism”. #DiamondJubilee #CdnPoli 2/ pic.twitter.com/ey05QwZ1Dn

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

Harper was of course not the only member of the former @CPC_HQ led government of @Canada to speak this way about the #AgaKhan. Among those who looked to understand this global leader and @TheIsmaili was @jkenny. #DiamondJubilee 3/ pic.twitter.com/yJcprXDqFX

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

And who can forget the words of @Baird, who rightfully put light on the #AgaKhan’s central role in bringing together #Reagan and #Gorbachev in #Geneva, leading to the removal of the iron curtain and new hope for millions. #DiamondJubilee 4/ pic.twitter.com/quWK5CSqrd

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

A longtime friend of the #AgaKhan, former Governor General of @Canada @APClarkson, also was and continues to be a truth teller. Her words here delivered to a #UK audience provide a unique perspective. #DiamondJubilee 5/ pic.twitter.com/iCSXFD2txl

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

But this admiration is not the sole domain of @Canada. These words for the #AgaKhan are from the 13th Prime Minister of #India, Dr. Manmohan Singh. #DiamondJubilee 6/ pic.twitter.com/LYMrgxLfZx

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

Outside direct political spheres, the #AgaKhan is known is subtly different ways. Within global civil society, his works are legendary, and often spoken of as unequalled. James Wolfensohn, who served as the @WorldBank’s 9th president, offered these remarks. #DiamondJubilee 7/ pic.twitter.com/mEwCzHjtYd

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

And so a question percolates, what is it that the #AgaKhan says / does that so captivates all of these individuals? Hard to pinpoint but one item, but here is something rather simple, elegant and remarkable that he recently relayed at @Harvard. #DiamondJubilee 8/ pic.twitter.com/dSCTvbVTBr

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

But of course, we are preparing for a visit of the #AgaKhan to @Canada so we need to revisit what it is that we, #Canada and @TheIsmaili Imamat, have done together. And we need to go back to @StephenHarper for this when he spoke of partnership. #DiamonJubilee 9/ pic.twitter.com/c6qofQHnSC

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

And here @StephenHarper reminding us all that @Canada is the #AgaKhan’s home. “It is, now and forever your home, your Highness, your home as well.” #DiamondJubilee 10/ pic.twitter.com/gthqZoWjWt

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017

To end my thread I will defer to the words of @APClarkson along with a visual glimpse of the world of the #AgaKhan. His vision of #pluralism #peace #OneSoul #onejamat #Shukhar https://t.co/pMoAJufUCA #DiamondJubilee 11/

— Shukhar (@ShukharMawla) November 13, 2017