After granting a second didar in Calgary on Friday, 24 July, Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan, departed for Vancouver, British Columbia.
Upon arriving in Vancouver, they were welcomed by representatives of the Canadian Government, including the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia The Honourable Wendy Cocchia; Senator of Canada The Honourable Farah Mohamed; Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Granville Taleeb Noormohamed; and a delegation of Jamati leaders.
Photo: IPL / Aziz Dhamani
Additional photos at The.Ismaili
On Sunday, 26 July, Mawlana Hazar Imam graced the Jamat of British Columbia with Didar at the Vancouver Convention Centre, bringing to a close a significant milestone in the history of the Canadian Jamat. Hazar Imam was accompanied by his sons Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan.
Photo: IPL / Akbar Hakim
Upon his departure from the Didar hall, leaders of the Jamat bid Hazar Imam farewell, marking the culmination of this historic first visit as the 50th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. Spanning two visits—Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto in March, followed by Calgary and Vancouver this week—the Jamat across Canada was graced with their first opportunity to be in his presence.
The visits advanced several projects that reflect the community’s permanence in Canada, its deep-rooted love for the country, as well as its commitment to enhancing quality of life for all. In March, Hazar Imam presided over the inauguration of the first purpose-built Jamatkhana in Laval, Quebec, as well as Generations Toronto, an innovative campus combining affordable housing, long-term care, healthcare, and early learning. On Saturday, 25 July, in Vancouver, under the banner “Building Together,” Hazar Imam joined federal, provincial, and municipal leaders to announce the next evolution of this model: Generations Vancouver, nearing completion, alongside upcoming exciting developments in Burnaby and the Tri-Cities.
The visits also offered opportunities to further strengthen the deep, historic partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and Canada, nurtured over five decades. From meeting with Governor General Mary Simon and parliamentarians in Ottawa, to issuing a Joint Declaration on affordable housing and education with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Hazar Imam affirmed his commitment to building a shared future. That vision further evolved in Vancouver through signed agreements advancing affordable housing nationally as well as economic and sustainable development abroad.
Honoured across the country with traditional civic distinctions – including Toronto’s Key to the City, Calgary’s White Hat, and Vancouver’s Civic Merit Medallion – Mawlana Hazar Imam departs leaving the Jamat filled with profound joy, gratitude, and hope.
Additional photos at The.Ismaili
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