A Portrait in Pluralism: Aga Khan's Shia Ismaili Muslims

Mansoor Ladha, an award-winning journalist, explains the basic traditions and practices of one of Canada''s newest immigrant groups, the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and how they have progressed under the guidance of their spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, a direct descendant of prophet Mohamed, who celebrated 50 years as Imam of the Ismailis on July 11, 2007. While the Islamic militancy continues to flourish under Al Qaeda''s banner in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and elsewhere, the Aga Khan portrays another face of Islam through his humanitarian work in international development. The Shia Ismaili Muslims, the community you don''t usually hear about, through their Imam, the Aga Khan, have, through volunteerism, pluralism and humanitarianism, been eradicating poverty in developing countries, by building schools, universities and hospitals.