Narendra Pachkhédé for Open Canada. February 17, 2025. In an age where power speaks the language of strategy and diplomacy, the passing of Roman Catholic theologian and Dominican priest Gustavo Gutiérrez in October last year, and the Aga Khan IV earlier this month, serves as a reminder that faith is not merely a private belief system but also a force that shapes the world. Their deaths are not just a loss of spiritual luminaries but a moment to acknowledge how religion – often dismissed in global affairs – has been an architect of international order over the centuries.
Similarly, Aga Khan IV, as the leader of the Ismaili Muslim community, demonstrated how faith could be integrated into global development. Through the Aga Khan Development Network, he advanced education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation initiatives – seamlessly blending religious values with governance. His work challenges the assumption that religion and international development operate separately. Unlike conventional IR approaches focusing on state actors and institutions, the Aga Khan’s efforts highlight how religious leadership can shape global policy, influence humanitarian efforts, and redefine diplomacy.
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