Zee's Notes: It's now Day 2 of MHI's visit to Canada.
I went to BC Place today to volunteer for preparations for the Darbar on Tuesday Nov. 25th. What's impressing me more and more everyday is the number of youngsters who are making the committment to their faith and to MHI. I come from a time where we almost lost a whole generation of teens. In the early '80's my generation had the benefit of growing up in Africa and when we came to Canada our value systems were firmly entrenched so it was not too hard to retain our culture, faith and heritage - and off course moms stayed home while dads went off to work in their new jobs. For many new families both parents had to work so the kids, in many cases, who really grew up in Canada were heavily influenced by peer pressure and sought different answers to pressures of life. The '90's kids really grew up influenced by their grandparents who babysat them for the most part. The last 20 years have been more stable as the Canadian Ismaili nuclear family (including grandparents) firmly established themselves socially, economically and moreso their committment to their faith.
So when I saw all the teens and youth working and having the time of their life it made me grateful to all the dads, moms, grandmas and grandpas who gave themselves so their kids could have a better life. We really need to say a big thank you to those pioneers who took on the challenge in 1972 - many who arrived at Canadian airports with the clothes on their backs literally - and made it a life - and a good one at that.
So the message here is that when we celebrate the Deedar in the next few days let's spare a moment to shed a tear of joy of gratefulness of the blessings we've been lucky to have received in the almost 40 years of life in Canada - which was only possible due to the vision of one who may have a time horizon of 100 years or possibly more - is that not incredibly mind boggling ?....all we can do is be in total awe...
Some news from the wires today:
Governor General Welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall
November 18, 2008
OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will officially welcome His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at 4:30 p.m.
Aga Khan on eight-day visit to Canada Thaindian.com, Thailand -
Toronto, Nov 20 (IANS) The Aga Khan, the spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Muslims, is on a eight-day official visit to Canada to meet his followers and the ...
BC welcomes the Aga Khan The Asian Pacific Post, Canada
A current of electrified excitement is crackling through British Columbia’s Ismaili community as the arrival in Vancouver of His Highness the Aga Khan fast ...
The Aga Khan builds a better world The Asian Pacific Post, Canada
Celebrating his Golden Jubilee as the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan brings his message of pluralism, peace and prosperity to ...
Aga Khan to address Ismaili community here Vancouver Sun, Canada
As Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, he will meet and address members of Canada's 75000-strong Ismaili community in special events to mark his Golden ...
Aga Khan kicks off 8-day visit The Province, Canada
The spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims will meet with Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and BC ...
Aga Khan in Canada to celebrate 50 years of leadership of Ismailis The Gazette (Montreal), Canada - 18 Nov 2008
By Salim Jiwa, Vancouver Province Thousands of Ismaili Muslims have begun a week of celebration to mark the arrival of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on ...
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