The Aga Khan remembered in Canada and around the world
The Aga Khan, centre, takes part in a 2004 honorary degree ceremony inside U of T’s Convocation Hall with Governing Council Chair Thomas H. Simpson, left, and U of T Chancellor Vivienne Poy, right (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)
Published: February 5, 2025
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, known around the world as His Highness the Aga Khan, is being remembered as a man of vision, faith and incredible generosity – and for an extraordinary life of service, the Globe and Mail reported.
The 49th hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan is celebrated for his international development efforts via the Aga Khan Development Network, which employs 80,000 people through international agencies to build schools and hospitals in Africa and Asia, according to the CBC.
In 2004, the Aga Khan addressed graduating students in the University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall after receiving an honorary degree “for his contributions to community service, higher education and philanthropy” from then-U of T Chancellor Vivienne Poy. He was introduced to the graduating class by then-U of T President Robert J. Birgeneau.
“A quality civil society is independent of government, pluralist and led by merit-based, educated leadership,” the Aga Khan told graduating students. “I am sure you will wish to seize the opportunities for sharing your knowledge with future generations in Canada.”
In 2013, Trinity College awarded the Aga Khan an honorary degree for his service to humanity, including global efforts to “improve the health, education and living conditions of the poorest people of the world by empowering them to achieve self-reliance.”
“His encouragement of pluralism and dialogue among all races and religions, and the global institutional framework he has established in many troubled areas of the world to further these goals and provide education and health services through the Aga Khan Development Network, is an inspiration to us all,” said the late Bill Graham, who was then the college’s chancellor.
Under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, the CBC reported, Canada took in thousands of Ismaili refugees who were abruptly expelled from Uganda in 1972, leaving a lasting legacy for the Ismaili diaspora here in Canada, including The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
“Countless Canadians have benefited from His Highness's contributions to our country and have participated in his endeavours to improve the lives of the less fortunate around the world,” Shafique Virani, an associate professor of historical studies at U of T Mississauga, told the CBC. “He will be deeply missed.”
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