TheIsmaili quoted in Canadian Senate – Debates – Issue 83 – February 8, 2011

A recent article in the journal, The Ismaili, speaks to the space and freedom that is given in Canada to the negotiation of the plurality of identities:

This uniquely Canadian idea of citizenship tells us that it does not matter where we come from or what the colour of our skin is and that what makes us up, individually and collectively, are our spiritual, moral, ethical, educational and cultural experiences and insight.

A society which emphasizes uniformity, as former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau once said, is one which creates intolerance and hate.

Honourable senators, we need to be vigilant and continue our efforts to ensure that in our policies and programs diversity is recognized as a basic cultural value in Canadian society.

via http://www.parl.gc.ca.

Canada: Reference to Pluralism, Diversity and His Highness the Aga Khan in Grade-11 School Textbook

Exploring Nationalism: 2008 McGraw-Hill Ryerson

http://www.mcgrawhill.ca/school/secondary/illustrations/index.php?book=Exploring_Nationalism&section=Related%20Issue%204&subsection=Chapter%2016
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070740283/student_view0/chapter16/web_links.html

PLURALISM – Info graphic

On Pluralism …

Quote

Pluralism means not only accepting, but embracing human difference. [Pluralism] sees the world’s variety as a blessing rather than a burden, regarding encounters with the “Other” as opportunities rather than as threats. Pluralism does not mean homogenization – denying what is different to seek superficial accommodation. To the contrary, pluralism respects the role of individual identity in building a richer world.

His Highness the Aga Khan, June 2009

Interfaith Youth Dinner Dialogue – March 5, 2009

WHAT happens to us when we die?
IS prayer an important part of your life?
Are your beliefs different from your family?

Come and talk about questions like these with students from all across Houston at the Interfaith Youth Dinner Dialogue of the Amazing Faiths Project.

The Deadline to Register is Friday February 27th

More details at the source.
Earlier related at Ismaili Mail

Canada: Aga Khan sees hope for Muslim-West relations

Don Cayo , Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, November 24, 2008

Aga Khan, the hereditary leader of the world`s 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims pictured during an interview in Toronto.

The spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims says he sees real prospects for new bridges and better relations between Muslim states and the West.

The Aga Khan, touring Canada as part of his celebration of 50 years as Ismaili Muslim leader, said despite the West’s “failure” in Iraq and ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, there are reasons for hope.

One, he said, is growing acceptance on both sides of the divide for his urgent call to combat what Harvard professor Samuel Huntington dubbed “the clash of civilizations” and the Aga Khan terms “the clash of ignorance.”

This is what led to the present situation in Iraq, he said. It was “entirely predictable.”

Education is the key to better relations, he said.

On the Muslim side, he said this involves continuing his 50-year push for acceptance of pluralism and an end to insistence that tribal or ethnic insistence always trump the greater good.

Complete at the source.
dose.ca

NPR: Eboo Patel On The Importance Of Religious Pluralism

Talk of the Nation, October 2, 2008. In this installment of the This American Moment series, Eboo Patel, director of the Interfaith Youth Core, discusses his efforts to promote religious pluralism among young people. Patel believes that this type of mutual respect and understanding is the “big idea of our time.”

Patel is the author of Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation. He writes “The Faith Divide” blog for The Washington Post.

Audio at the source: NPR

Meritocracy

“…leadership everywhere must continuously work to ensure that pluralism, and all its benefits, become top global priorities. In this effort, civil society has a vital role. By its very nature, civil society is pluralist because it seeks to speak for the multiple interests not represented by the state. I refer, for example, to organisations which ensure best practices such as legal societies and associations of accountants, doctors and engineers. The meritocracy they represent is the very foundation of pluralism. And meritocracy is one of the principles of democracy itself.

Village organisations, women’s and student groups, micro-credit entities and agricultural co-operatives help give access and voice to those who often are disenfranchised. Journalist associations also play a key role, explaining the political process, guarding against corruption and keeping governments accountable. Responsible reporting and competent comment on critical issues, and the hard choices that society must address, are an essential element in the functioning of a democracy.”

Address by His Highness the Aga Khan
Nobel Institute
Oslo, Norway

April 7, 2005

“Conversation on Pluralism in a City of the World” – Chancellor Nancy Cantor Syracuse University

Excerpt from the source:

The spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan, who has been a strong partner with Britain in many projects of global urgency, has also spoken profoundly and eloquently on why pluralism is fundamental to world peace and prosperity for all of us, no matter what our faith community or our home.

Nearly a year after the shock and horror of the September 11th attacks, he told an audience in Amsterdam that: “the strengthening of institutions supporting pluralism is as critical for the welfare and progress of human society as are poverty alleviation and confl ict prevention. In fact the three are intimately related.”

He then went on to make the critical link to education: “The problem,” he said, “is that large segments of all societies—in the developing and the developed world—are unaware of the wealth of global cultural resources, and therefore of the need to preserve the precious value of pluralism in their own and in other’s societies.”

Because we often do not perceive that cultural pluralism is a critical element of well being, he said, we may fail to realize that the world’s cultural heritage is a public good, its preservation just as crucial as sustaining the natural environment.

Complete at the source

Human Society is essentially Pluralist

“The inability of human society to recognize pluralism as a fundamental value constitutes a real handicap for its development and a serious danger for our future…. Recognize the fact that human society is essentially pluralist, and that peace and development require that we seek, by every means possible, to invest in and enhance, that pluralism.“

Extract from the speech by His Highness the Aga Khan

at the Prince Claus Fund’s Conference on Culture and Development,

Amsterdam, Holland, September 7, 2002

Pluralism of Human Society

“Peace in the decades ahead can only be achieved when the pluralist nature of human society is understood, valued, and built upon, to construct a better future. In Islam, the pluralism of human society is well recognized, and the ethics of its multiple interpretations require that this diversity be accorded respect.”

Extract from the remarks made by Mawlana Hazar Imam at Al Khwabi, Syria, November 9, 2001

“Peace”

“Peace in the decades ahead can only be achieved when the pluralist nature of human society is understood, valued, and built upon, to construct a better future. In Islam, the pluralism of human society is well recognized, and the ethics of its multiple interpretations require that this diversity be accorded respect.”

- Extract from the remarks made by His Highness the Aga Khan
Al Khwabi, Syria – November 9, 2001

People of the Book

…..Quranic beliefs in the truth of the Judaic and Christian traditions are also encapsulated in another term: the ahl al-kitab or People of the Book. This is the umbrella term in the Quran to refer to communities, or peoples, who have received revelation in the form of scripture. It is commonly used to refer to the Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The pluralistic nature of this term is evident in the use of the noun Book in the singular rather than in plural, meant to emphasize that the Jews, Christians and Muslims follow one and the same Book, not various conflicting scriptures. The Old and New Testaments and the Quran are seen as being plural, earthly manifestations of the one heavenly Scripture in which God has inscribed the Divine word. Significantly, the Quran does not claim that it abrogates the scriptures revealed before it. On the contrary, it affirms their validity. In one verse addressed to the Prophet Muhammad, God advises him “And if you [Muhammad] are in doubt concerning that which We [God] reveal to you, then question those who read the scripture [that was revealed] before you” (Quran 10:94). Another verse addressed to the Muslim faithful says, “And argue not with the People of the Book unless it be in a way that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say we believe in that which has been revealed to us and to you; and our God and your God is one and unto Him we submit” (Quran 29:46)…..

Complete:
http://www.akdn.org/akfisp/HTML/aliarticle.html
Professor Ali S. Asani

Pluralism

“Pluralism implies a readiness to listen to many voices – whether we agree with them or not – and a readiness to embrace a rich diversity of cultures. When our diversity divides us, the results can be tragic. But when we welcome diversity – and the debate and dissent that goes with it – we sow the seeds of stability and progress.”

Extract from Speech by Mawlana Hazar Imam at the opening ceremony of the International Press Institute’s World Congress and 54th General Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya, May 22, 2005

The ethic of exploration and interconnectedness

This ethic of exploration and interconnectedness is one that is deeply shared by the Ismaili community. It is an ethic, in fact, that is firmly rooted in our faith — a value system which grows from deeply spiritual roots.

It understands that human diversity is itself a gift of Allah — that pluralism is not a threat but a blessing. It sees the desire to explore and connect as a way to learn and grow – not to dilute our identities but to enrich our self-knowledge. This ethic emanates ultimately from a relationship to the Divine which inspires a deep sense of personal humility — and a relationship to humankind which is infused with a spirit of generous service and mutual respect.

Mawlana Hazar Imam at the inauguration of The Ismaili Centre Dubai
26 MARCH 2008

Where Hope Takes Root – By: His Highness The Aga Khan

.

Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World

By: His Highness The Aga Khan

In Where Hope Takes Root, a collection of talks given over the past six years, the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims—a sizable number of whom live in Canada—sets out the principles that inform his vision of peaceful, productive societies. He returns again and again to the three cornerstones upon which his many years of work in the developing world are based: democracy, pluralism and civil society. Democracy, always fragile, must be nurtured in practical and flexible ways, he says. Pluralism must be embraced in both fact and spirit. And engaged civil society, which the Aga Khan defines broadly as including doctors’ and journalists’ associations, women’s groups, social movements and village organizations, must be actively supported in countries around the globe.

Book details:
May 2008
ISBN 978-1-55365-366-0
Hardcover
5 1/4″ x 7 1/2″
144 pages
Political Science
$24.95 CAD

His Highness The Aga Khan

His Highness the Aga Khan is the forty-ninth hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He assumed the office of the Imamat in July 1957, making 2007 the Golden Jubilee of his spiritual leadership. The Aga Khan Development Network, a group of institutions and agencies, including non-profit hospitals and schools, is present in over thirty countries and works actively to eradicate poverty. One of the Network’s recent projects is the Global Centre for Pluralism, which will be established in Ottawa in co-operation with the Government of Canada. The Aga Khan became an honorary Companion of the Order of Canada in 2005.

Douglas and McIntyre Publishing Group

For more information on the Aga Khan’s efforts in the area of
pluralism, please visit http://www.pluralism.ca/

Related:
Where Hope Takes Root made it to the top 10 bestselling non-fiction books in Canada
New Book ‘Where Hope Takes Root’ is now available
The Aga Khan’s Adoring Message to Canada
Why the world needs more Canada – Muslim leader – (His Highness the Aga Khan) gives us high marks in new book
Leader of Ismaili Muslims praises Canada for its inclusive government

The Aga Khan – A Voice of Reason – Documentary: Canadian Premiere

***Documentary: Canadian Premiere***
The Aga Khan – A Voice of Reason
Friday, Jan. 4, 9 pm & 12 am ET/6 pm & 9 pm PT

Repeats Saturday, January 5, 10 pm ET/7 pm PT

His Highness the Aga Khan is the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims. At a time when the Muslim world is increasingly at odds with itself and the West, he represents a rare voice of moderation, speaking up for pluralism, supporting charities and promoting dialogue between civilizations. This documentary chronicles his 50-year reign and his ongoing struggle to balance tradition and modernity.

http://www.visiontv.ca/Programs/specials_leaders.html

Director Institute of Ismaili Studies Professor Azim Nanji Speaks on Pluralism and its Contents

The Director of the Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), Professor Azim Nanji, spoke on ‘Pluralism and its contents’ at a seminar on 23 November 2007 at Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC). The seminar was the last in the series ‘Possibility of Pluralism’, which discussed pluralism and its specific relevance to Muslim societies.

Other speakers in the last seminar included Professor Rajeev Bhargava, Senior Fellow and Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies; Louis Greenspan, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at McMaster University in Ontario and Professor Abdou Filali-Ansary, Director of AKU-ISMC.

In his talk, Professor Nanji provided an example of a group of scholars in tenth century Basra who, in his view, wrote about issues related to plurality of religious interpretations in their own context. The group, known as Ikhwan al-Safa’ (Brethren of Purity), had written a series of 52 epistles in which they explored arguments about what ought to be the foundations of a society that took knowledge seriously. He framed the question the Ikwan were engaging with as: “If a society is to start from the premise that knowledge should be a foundation, what should be the form of that knowledge?” Further, he noted that the group was also “interested in the fact that the Muslim world in the 10^th century had become very cosmopolitan, after three centuries of expansion and growth and conversion.”

Complete at the source

Canada’s history of Pluralism – Hon. Jason Kenny, speech in November

excerpt…

Canada’s history of pluralism includes religious diversity. Prime Minister Harper recently noted that, throughout our history, the accommodation of minorities — regional, ethnic, linguistic or religious — has been critical to Canada’s overall health as a country.

In fact, many of the values that Canadians hold dear — freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law — have evolved out of our diverse heritage.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting human rights, social inclusion, fostering diversity, and strengthening our pluralism.

Our Government considers diversity to be one of this country’s greatest strengths, and we are pleased to support initiatives to preserve and promote pluralism.

For example, I am proud that our Government is working to establish the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. This national museum, the first to be built outside of the National Capital Region, will serve as a powerful symbol of this country’s commitment to recognizing, promoting and celebrating human rights, at home and abroad.

Canada is recognized around the world as a country that embraces pluralism. This was illustrated by the decision to select this country as the site for the Global Centre for Pluralism. I am pleased that my Government is supporting this institution, which I believe will serve as a cornerstone of good governance, the rule of law, and human development in the years ahead.

As well, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s decision to locate the new international centre for peace and education in Vancouver is an important recognition of our country’s commitment to peace, harmony and understanding.

And I am delighted that Toronto is home to an established branch of One Free World International. I consider this to be another example of Canada’s success as a pluralistic society.

Source

Global Centre for Pluralism will serve as a cornerstone of good governance, the rule of law, and human development in the years ahead – Hon. Jason Kenny, speech in October

excerpt…

For example, our Government is working to establish the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. This national museum, the first to be built outside of the National Capital Region, will serve as a powerful symbol of this country’s commitment to recognizing, promoting and celebrating human rights, at home and abroad.

As well, I was very pleased when this country, here in Ottawa in fact, was selected as the site for the Aga Khan’s Global Centre for Pluralism. I am proud that my Government is supporting this institution, which I believe will serve as a cornerstone of good governance, the rule of law, and human development in the years ahead.

As well, I believe that His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s decision to locate the new International Centre for Peace and Education in Vancouver is an important recognition of our country’s commitment to peace, harmony and understanding.

Source