Ismaili Muslims in B.C. mourn the Aga Khan after his death
Ismaili Muslims in B.C. were in mourning on Tuesday after the announcement of the death of their faith's spiritual leader, the Aga Khan.
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who died at 88 in Lisbon according to his philanthropic organization, had been the leader of 15 million Ismailis across 35 countries since 1957.
Ismailis hold that the Aga Khan was directly descended from an unbroken line of imams going back to the Prophet Muhammad. He was known for his generous philanthropy, helping build schools and hospitals and providing electricity for millions of people in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.
There were around 20,000 Ismaili Muslims in B.C. in 2022, according to the province, making up around a sixth of the province's total Muslim population.
WATCH | Aga Khan dead at 88:
Aga Khan dead at 88
6 hours ago
Duration 3:33
'Ismaili Muslims in B.C. who spoke to CBC News said that the death of the Aga Khan represented a profound sense of loss and his achievements in the humanitarian and diplomatic world spoke volumes.
The Aga Khan was named an honorary Canadian in 2009 for his strong ties and significant contributions to the country.
"As an honorary Canadian, Canada reflected that appreciation for the work of His Highness," said Vancouver Granville MP Taleeb Noormohamed.
"And I know that for the community, that reflection, that recognition, was something that's been very, very special."
Noormohamed said that the Aga Khan's connection to Canada was particularly deep, as the Pierre Trudeau government had taken in thousands of Ismaili refugees who were abruptly expelled from Uganda in 1972.
"It's been a profound sense of responsibility [that] the community has felt as a result of that," the Liberal MP said.
"The relationship between the Ismaili community and Canada has been one that has allowed so many to settle successfully here," he added.
The Aga Khan was most famous for his eponymous philanthropic arm, as well as for setting up the Global Centre for Pluralism and working on international development projects across the world.
"His Highness has always thought of himself, and he said this in a speech he gave to the joint Houses of Parliament, that his role as an imam is to provide both spiritual guidance and leadership to his community, but also to the broader communities amongst whom we live," said Shaherzade Hirji, the spokesperson for the Ismaili Council of Canada.
"All of these initiatives, whether they're educational, whether they are health care, whether they are cultural, really impact members of the community more broadly as well."
The Aga Khan Development Network said a designated successor to the Aga Khan will be announced in the coming days.
"For Ismailis, that kind of continuity is critically important," Noormohamed said.
"Because ultimately, while the physical form of the imam changes, there is the sense that ... it is something that transcends the physical, and that spiritual connection is one that is most important."
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