The Aga Khan, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini, is marking his first official visit to Calgary since becoming the 50th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
The occasion is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the community of about 20,000 Albertan Ismailis, who look forward to seeing him in person during private visits on Friday.
“It will be the first time that our community is going to be in his presence. So you can just imagine that excitement that we’re feeling here locally,” said Shaheen Amirali, a community member who’s volunteering during the visit.
“It’s a moment of self-reflection. It’s a moment of community unity. And it’s a moment for us to hear guidance on issues that are prevalent in the world and how we can improve quality of life for others.”
On Thursday, the Aga Khan arrived in Calgary with his two children, Prince Sinan and Prince Irfan. The three were presented with white hats by Mayor Jeromy Farkas, a long-standing city tradition.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas shaking hands with the Aga Khan, who arrived in Calgary with his two children on Thursday. (Aga Khan Development Network)
The Aga Khan became imam to the world’s 15 million-strong Ismaili community in February last year, following the death of his father and previous imam, Prince Karim al-Hussaini (Aga Khan IV) at the age of 88.
The beloved late spiritual leader had a long history of philanthropy and contributions in Canada, Amirali said.
Those include the work of the Aga Khan Development Network, the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, and the Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton, among others.
The late Prince Karim al-Hussaini (Aga Khan IV), founder of Aga Khan Development Network, gives a speech at the 2017 Asia Game Changer Awards and Gala Dinner in New York on Nov. 1, 2017. (Amr Alfiky/Reuters)
The new Aga Khan’s visit is especially meaningful “because it gives us an opportunity to showcase that continuation of the journey and the continuation of the work that his late father had started and how we’re continuing to contribute into the future,” Amirali said.
In northeast Calgary, the previous Aga Khan piloted a housing initiative called Generations, a multi-generational housing and community centre that functions as a supportive and long-term care home, while also offering early childhood learning and space for the larger community to gather.
In March, the new Aga Khan met with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other government officials during his visit to Eastern Canada. He was also presented a key to the city from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
During that visit, he inaugurated Generations Toronto, a not-for-profit, inter-generational housing project, built on the model in Calgary.
‘Once in a lifetime’
Generations in Calgary has become a hub for members of the local Ismaili community to gather and celebrate in the lead-up to the Aga Khan’s visit.
The sounds of bagpipes and drums echo throughout the building, built with Islamic architectural design principles, like bright open spaces and geometric tessellations along the walls.
Standing in the lively lobby, Shahzad Sherwan, captain of the Calgary Ismaili Pipe Band, said it’s an honour to perform for the community and spread joy through music.
“It’s a joyous location,” he said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to see His Highness.”
Shahzad Sherwan, captain of the Calgary Ismaili Pipe Band, plays for the community watching on at Generations, in northeast Calgary. (Ryan McLeod/CBC)
The sound of bagpipes, Sherwan said, have become synonymous with celebration for Ismaili Muslims, many of whom grew up with the tradition back home in Pakistan, India and other countries.
For Gulnar Hemani, a drummer in the Calgary Ismaili Pipe Band, the merging of Scottish bagpipes and Ismaili culture is a beautiful part of the experience.
“We live in a multicultural society where we have lots of diversity of traditions and culture,” she said. “This is a Scottish culture, but when we play as a part of devotional event we feel like … this is all respecting the diversity and pluralism, and it is giving us that spiritual experience.”
Gulnar Hemani, a drummer in the Calgary Ismaili Pipe Band, marches through the Generations lobby playing a tune. (Ryan McLeod/CBC)
For some young members of Alberta’s Ismaili community, it will be their first time seeing any imam in person.
Ehan Karedia, a member of the Calgary Ismaili Youth Flute Band, said participating in a band bringing people together during this happy time is his way of serving the community.
“It helps us show our excitement,” he said.
WATCH | Calgary’s Ismaili Muslims prep for Aga Khan’s visit:
New Aga Khan making first official visit to Calgary
Ismaili Muslims across the Prairies are celebrating the arrival of Aga Khan V, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini. As CBC’s Rukhsar Ali reports, the visit is particularly meaningful for the community, marking the new Aga Khan’s first official visit to Alberta since becoming the imam of the Ismaili Muslims.A guiding light
Amirali’s parents came to Canada from Tanzania in the early 70s, escaping political unrest. Following the guidance of the imam of the time, Karim al-Hussaini, they embraced their new home and set down roots in Canada, Amirali said.
“The goal was to come to Canada and make Canada your home,” she said. “It really means for communities to come to Canada and be part of Canadian culture, contribute to the societies in which we live.”
Shaheen Amirali, a member of the Ismaili community in Calgary, says she looks forward to experiencing the visit with her family. (Ryan McLeod/CBC)
Now, she’s excited to receive the guidance of Aga Khan V, during a visit on Friday. It’s especially meaningful, she said, to share the experience with her family.
“I am just so joyful about the situation to be able to be in the presence of the imam along with my children,” she said. “It’s nice to also see things as a mother through their eyes.”
The Aga Khan’s visit to Western Canada will also include meetings with government officials. On Saturday, he’ll meet with members of the Ismaili community in British Columbia.
LISTEN | The Aga Khan visits Calgary :
Calgary Eyeopener7:26Setting up the Aga Khan’s visit to Calgary
Calgary’s Ismaili Muslim community is preparing for a visit from the Aga Khan tomorrow, and we spoke with an event volunteer who will be there to take everything in.