More than a year after assuming the role of the Aga Khan, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V met with thousands of Ismaili Muslims from across the Prairies in Calgary on Friday, marking his first opportunity to meet with the community as their spiritual leader.
More than 20,000 Ismailis gathered at the BMO Centre for private gatherings with the Aga Khan on his first visit to Western Canada, with visitors coming from across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. With the Aga Khan heading to Vancouver over the weekend, organizers had to fit the gatherings into one day with two sessions — one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The event came together in just six weeks and required non-stop planning, said volunteer organizer Shaheen Amirali. Roughly 4,000 volunteers helped with everything from transportation and first aid, to packing snack bags and welcoming guests.
“We get our entire families involved in volunteerism, everyone comes to these events together — grandparents, parents, children — so it brings families together . . . And it’s a sense of community pride,” Amirali said. “It’s just a part of who we are and how we’ve been raised and how we grow up, to be focused on the betterment of not just ourselves but the betterment of society as a whole.”
Seniors Semim Ramji, left and Fatma Ramji are assisted by volunteers Ilyan Damani and Kaleb Jivrag as the Shia Ismaili Muslim community welcomed the His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan at the BMO Centre in Calgary on Friday, July 24, 2026.
Among those volunteers were Alikhan and Raheem Khimji, two young brothers who were responsible for distributing shoe bags as people entered the main hall. This is the first time the Khimji family had the opportunity to meet the Aga Khan as a quartet, as Raheem wasn’t born when the Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV visited Calgary in 2018.
“As an Ismaili, I am so overwhelmed and overjoyed,” said Zahra Khimji, the boys’ mother.
Father and husband Navroz Khimji said being Ismaili is a part of every aspect of their lives, and that gatherings like these remind them how special their community is.
“One of the funny things is actually the 49th Imam’s father’s name was Aly Khan and (the 49th Imam’s) son’s name is Rahim,” Navroz said. “It’s in our fabric to just be here.”
Both Zahra and Navroz commended the organizers and volunteers for managing an event of this size, and expressed pride over the collective effort.
“With so many troubles in the world right now, to see a bunch of people from different backgrounds come together with one common objective, it’s just awesome” Navroz said.
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini (L), Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Isma’ili Shia Islam, on July 6, 2026 in Berlin.
For Ismaili Muslims, visiting with the Aga Khan is about much more than introductions. Amirali said being in the Aga Khan’s presence is a moment for reflection and revelation.
“He’s very inspiring when you think about just how much work he does, and for a goal to improve quality of life for all of the communities in which this community lives, as well as the broader society . . . if he can do that much, it inspires me to do more,” Amirali said. “And if all of these people are finding the strength to do a little bit more, imagine the impact that that can have.”
It can also evoke strong emotions. Semim Ramji began to tear up as she spoke about her experience meeting the Aga Khan, saying it was everything she hoped for.
“It was out of this world,” said Ramji. “(The) experience I had with our spiritual leader, His Highness the Aga Khan and his two children, was just amazing.”
Zahra and Navroz Khimji and their sons Alikhan and Raheem pose for a photo outside the BMO Centre in Calgary during the visit of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan on Friday, July 24, 2026.Gavin Young/Postmedia
Young volunteer Zayden Zubin Nizar welcomed members of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community outside the BMO Centre in Calgary during the visit of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan on Friday, July 24, 2026.
Spokesperson Shaheen Amirali stands outside the BMO Centre in Calgary during the visit of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan on Friday, July 24, 2026.
Vounteers with the Shia Ismaili Muslim community pose with a sign outside of the BMO Centre in Calgary during the visit of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan on Friday, July 24, 2026.