21 September,2016 08:49 AM IST | | Aparna Shukla
Even as the northern hemisphere’s Islamophobia is scaling new heights following the recent New York bombings, its neighbour Canada has awarded the current and 49th head of the Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan, with the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship that recognises leaders committed to the ideals of belonging and inclusion
Even as the northern hemisphere's Islamophobia is scaling new heights following the recent New York bombings, its neighbour Canada has awarded the current and 49th head of the Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan, with the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship that recognises leaders committed to the ideals of belonging and inclusion. The Aga Khan will receive the award in a ceremony on September 21 in Canada.
"Globally, the amount of tolerance and love for the other religion is rapidly decreasing. The Aga Khan receiving this award comes as a symbol of peace since there is more need for the world to know what Islam is really about," said Akbar Merchant, a member from the community.
Contributions in Mumbai
However, other members are not so quick to conclude that Mumbai falls under the same bracket of intolerance. "Mumbai, I think is extremely pluralistic; people are very giving and forgiving. We Mumbaikars are still very peaceful at heart," said Riyaaz Makaney, another community member.
In Mumbai, The Diamond Jubilee School and the Prince Aly Khan Hospital - both in Mazgaon - are the two institutes that are under the aegis of the Aga Khan Development Network, which also recently conducted restoration of the Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. Not just in Mumbai, but the Aga Khan has institutes all over India, and abroad as well. "His highness the Aga Khan has been working in countries all across the world and an award like this will only inspire others to be more tolerant and giving," another member Reshma Lakhani added.
