Last weekend, on August 23, 2020, the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver, celebrated its 35th anniversary. The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, who conducted the opening ceremony of the Ismaili Centre in 1985, reflected on the pivotal role of The Centre as a symbolic marker of Canadian diversity and values. He shared high praise for the Ismaili community, expressing that 鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of any community in modern Canadian history that has contributed more to its people,鈥� and referred to the community and the centre as being 鈥減art and parcel of the big puzzle of the mosaic called sa国际传媒鈥�. 听
The Ismaili Centre, Vancouver is one of six such buildings around the world, the other five being in London, Lisbon, Dubai, Dushanbe, and Toronto. Each building鈥檚 architecture and functionality reflect the places in which they are located. Described by many as sa国际传媒鈥檚 best kept architectural secret, this spectacular building was designed by renowned architect Bruno Freschi, who drew on architectural principles steeped in the tradition of Islam to create a centre that co-exists with modern-day society; a fusion that is symbolic of the Ismaili community, which found a home in sa国际传媒 in the early 1970鈥檚 after leaving Uganda due to political upheaval.听
At the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Centre in 1982, His Highness the Aga Khan shared his aspirations for sa国际传媒鈥檚 first Ismaili Centre. 鈥淭his will be a place of congregation, of order, of peace, of prayer, of hope, of humility, and of brotherhood. From it should come forth those thoughts, those sentiments, those attitudes, which bind men together and which unite. It has been conceived and will exist in a mood of friendship, courtesy, and harmony.鈥�
Thousands of Victoria residents have experienced these sentiments first-hand through tours organized by Naz Rayani, a prominent leader in the Victoria community. During these tours they learned about how the Ismaili Imamat actualizes the social conscience of Islam through the actions of the Aga Khan Development Network鈥檚 institutions, including Aga Khan Foundation sa国际传媒鈥檚 World Partnership Walk, which many Victoria residents actively participate in.听
Samir Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for British Columbia, highlighted the Centre鈥檚 role in Canadian life. 鈥淭he Ismaili Centre is at the confluence of creative and critical conversations of relevance to Canadians from all avenues of life and hopes that it remains a place that continues to reflect Canadian values of diversity and respectful dialogue and exchange for generations to come."听
Karima Ramji is an active community member, having served most recently as Chair of Aga Khan Foundation sa国际传媒鈥檚 World Partnership Walk in Victoria. Certified as an Advanced Cultural Intelligence Facilitator, Karima tries to practice inclusion and pluralism in all she does, including her professional life as Manager of International Programs at University of Victoria鈥檚 Co-operative Education Program and Career Services.
You can read more articles on our interfaith blog. Spiritually Speaking, HERE
* This article was published in the print edition of the sa国际传媒 on Saturday, August 29th 2020
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