‘A man of vision, of faith’: Canadian leaders mourn Aga Khan, dead at 88

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the Aga Khan on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, May 17, 2016. The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims, has died at the age of 88. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Canadian leaders are remembering the Aga Khan as “extraordinarily compassionate,” and a “very good friend” of the prime minister.

The spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims died Tuesday at the age of 88, his family announced in a statement.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said of the “honorary Canadian” that he was “an extraordinarily compassionate global leader, a man of vision, of faith and of incredible generosity.

“He was passionate about Canada and what we’ve been able to create here in this country,” Trudeau said.

On social media, the prime minister said the Aga Khan “devoted his life to peace and prosperity for all.”

“He worked across continents and cultures to resolve the world’s greatest humanitarian challenges: poverty, education, and gender inequality,” Trudeau wrote.

Trudeau’s friendship with the multimillionaire has made headlines in the past, and was the subject of an ethics scandal following a private-island vacation in 2016.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh offered his sympathies Tuesday, writing on X, “Today is a very hard day for Ismaili Muslims – including in my riding of Burnaby South, home to a large Ismaili community. His Highness the Aga Khan leaves behind an immense legacy of kindness, generosity, and humanitarianism.”

Also among those remembering the Aga Khan Tuesday are Ralph Goodale, Canada’s representative to the Ismaili Imamat, and Amira Elghawaby, the country’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia.

“I extend my deepest sympathies to His Highness’s family, all the Aga Khan entities in Canada and the entire Ismaili community. Humanitarianism, peace, development & vibrant pluralism are among his fine legacies,” Goodale posted on X.

“Condolences to the Aga Khan’s family and loved ones and to the entire global Ismaili community, including Canadian Ismaili Muslims here at home,” Elghawaby wrote.

John Baird, foreign minister for Canada from 2011 to 2015, called the Aga Khan a “remarkable leader and truly one of the most impressive individuals I have ever met.” In a three-part message, Baird described the leader as among the most successful “of the past century,” praised his work as “visionary” and called him a “trusted advisor” and “cherished friend.”

“As an honorary Canadian citizen, he embodied the very best of our country’s values… May his memory be a blessing,” the retired politician wrote on X.

Toronto-area MP Omar Alghabra posted on social media that he was “saddened” by the news.

“I had the honour of meeting him on a couple of occasions. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion & generosity,” Alghabra said.

Ottawa MP Yasir Naqvi said the Aga Khan “made a tremendous impact in fostering peace,” and Toronto MP and former immigration minister Marco Mendicino mentioned the leader’s work toward “building a positive dialogue among communities.”

Canadian Senator Salma Ataullahjan wrote of being “struck by his kindness and passion for helping countless people worldwide,” while Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie mentioned his humanitarian work as leaving “a lasting impact on Ontario, Canada, and the world.”

The Aga Khan was granted honorary Canadian citizenship in 2009 and was awarded the first Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship in 2016. He and his foundation are behind North America’s first Islamic arts museum, located in Toronto, and the Global Centre for Pluralism, an independent charitable organization with a goal of tackling “injustice, inequality and exclusion.”

With files from The Canadian Press