January 29, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, will visit Canada from January 28 to 30, 2002.

"It is an honour to welcome His Highness the Aga Khan to Canada," said the Prime Minister. "In his capacity as a religious leader and through the Development Network that bears his name, the Aga Khan has contributed significantly to advancement and stability in Asia and Africa while promoting Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith that teaches compassion."

During the visit, His Highness will meet the Prime Minister, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Deputy Prime Minister John Manley, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) David Kilgour, Minister for International Cooperation Susan Whelan and several senior government officials.

Founded and guided by the Aga Khan, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) brings together a number of development agencies, institutions and programs that work primarily in the poorest parts of Asia and Africa. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender. The Aga Khan Foundation Canada plays an increasingly important role in development and is a source of innovation and creativity in this field.

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