Today, Toronto’s Mayor honoured humanitarian His Highness the Aga Khan with a Key to the City, at an event at the Ismaili Centre. Accepting the Key on his behalf was Prince Amyn Aga Khan, His Highness’ brother.
The City of Toronto has also renamed the portion of Wynford Drive, between Don Mills Road and the east side of the Don Valley Parkway overpass, to Aga Khan Boulevard. This is in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Aga Khan’s accession as the 49th hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims and 50 years since the Ismaili community settled in Canada.
His Highness the Aga Khan has worked to improve the lives of all people, regardless of their birthplace, background or religious beliefs, through global charitable efforts focusing on health care, education, financial inclusion and infrastructure development. The Aga Khan Developmental Network (AKDN) operates in more than 30 countries around the world. It currently contributes to more than 1,000 programs and institutions, employing approximately 96,000 people who are primarily based in developing countries.
It was an honour to present the Key to the City to His Highness The Aga Khan and to unveil the renaming of a part of Wynford Dr. today at the Ismaili Centre. pic.twitter.com/4wEEd7ZoXT
— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) September 25, 2022
A friend and ally of Toronto, the Aga Khan has made generous contributions to celebrate the culture and heritage of the Ismaili community and their deep roots in the city. His Highness has contributed to Toronto’s vibrant diverse communities by opening the Aga Khan Museum in 2014, the only museum in North America dedicated to Islamic arts, housing 1,200 works of art and artifacts. He also opened the Aga Khan Park in Toronto and the adjoining Ismaili Centre, a place of congregation, prayer and friendship for the Ismaili community.
The mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of Toronto and who have contributed significantly to civic life. The Key to the City is the highest honour that the City of Toronto grants to an individual or a group. More information is available on the City’s Key to the City webpage: www.toronto.ca/city-government
Quote:
“His Highness the Aga Khan has made remarkable contributions within our city and within the culture and heritage of Toronto’s Ismaili community. Particularly, the Ismaili Centre at Aga Khan Park has become a landmark in our city for the Ismaili community but for residents and visitors as well. I am proud to present His Highness the Aga Khan with Toronto’s highest honour and unveil a section of Wynford Drive renamed in recognition of his many contributions to Toronto.”
– Mayor of Toronto
SOURCE City of Toronto
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