The Heritage Community Foundation links people with heritage through discovery and learning. It publishes the Alberta Online Encyclopedia. Below are some excerpts relevant to the Ismaili
Excerpt from “People of Alberta, Ismaili”:
The arrival of the Ismaili community in Alberta is a remarkable story of adaptation and cultural capacity. Education as one’s ‘passport’ has been a significant aspect of the Aga Khan’s teaching and direction to the community. Consequently, the Ismaili community is generally well educated and entrepreneurial in its work. As well, the English school systems of many of the former African colonies meant that language was not a barrier in moving to Canada’s English-speaking regions.
It is estimated that nearly 20,000 Ismailis live in Alberta. The Ismaili community has created a number of organizations and institutions to support the community and to educate younger generations in the understandings of the community. Many of these organizations are led by volunteers under the guidance of His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council of Canada.
Excerpt from “Understanding Diversity in Alberta, Ismaili Immigration”:
Ismaili Immigration
Ismaili literally means “followers of the faith”. The Ismailis are a group of Shiite Muslims who believe that their spiritual leader, the hereditary Imam, Prince Aga Khan, receives his authority directly from the prophet Mohammed. To escape religious persecution, the Ismailis moved from Iran to the Bombay area of India in the 1830s and 1840s. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ismailis were forced to move again, this time to East Africa, settling mostly in the modern-day countries of Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. People of the Ismaili faith strongly value marriage and family life and, like other Muslims, do not eat pork.
In the 1970s, the African countries received their independence from British colonial rule and African nationalism became very strong. Many of the countries did not want people from India — Ismailis — living and making money in their country. When Idi Amin became dictator in Uganda, he forced all the Ismailis to leave.
Excerpt from “Understanding Diversity in Alberta, Biographies, Ismaili Immigration to Alberta”:
Ismaili Immigration to Alberta
Zaheer M. Lakhani – Yasmin Jivraj – Shenaaz Nanji – Nizar J. Somji
(read about above individuals at the source: http://www.edukits.ca/multiculturalism)
References:
http://www.abheritage.ca/albertans/people/ismaili.html
http://www.edukits.ca/multiculturalism/student/immigration_ismailis_e.html
http://www.edukits.ca/multiculturalism/student/bio_ismaili_e.html
Ismailimail 