From the Star:

Jun. 9, 2005. 01:00 AM

Ismaili Muslims reaching out
Religious centre, art and heritage museum set for city

The Aga Khan speaks to 70,000 devotees at CNE


HICHAM SAFIEDDINE
STAFF REPORTER

The Ismaili Muslim community plans to build a massive religious and cultural complex in east Toronto in a broader effort to reach out to other Canadians.

Ismailia's revered spiritual and temporal leader yesterday confirmed plans for multi-million-dollar facilities in this city and Ottawa, designed to build bridges of understanding between Muslims and other groups in this country.

The Aga Khan told the Toronto Star that his religious sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, will construct an Islamic art and heritage museum as well as a centre of worship on a site of almost seven hectares on Wynford Dr. near Eglinton Ave. and the Don Valley Parkway. It is expected to cost upwards of $200 million.

During a stop in Toronto on his trip to Canada this week, the Aga Khan also revealed plans for two centres in the nation's capital. A building on Sussex Dr. will house the Delegation of the Imamat, a body representing the Aga Kahn. The facility will provide information about the community's work, and house public events and educational programs.

Plans are also underway for a Global Centre for Pluralism designed to facilitate discussions about policies in place in Canada in the hope that countries in the developing world could adopt our philosophies in areas such as health, education and laws.

"Of all the modern industrialized societies, Canada is by far the most effective and by far the most successful in its pluralism, and therefore there was something very serious to learn from Canada and to try and move ... it into parts of the developing world," the Aga Khan said.

He said much of the work of the institutions will be in close collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency and leading academic institutions in Canada.

The Aga Khan hopes Canada will help with development programs in the Muslim world.

The beloved leader was presented the insignia of Companion of the Order of Canada earlier this week for devoting his life to philanthropy.

He addressed an estimated 70,000 Ismailis who flocked from across North America yesterday to the Canadian National Exhibition for morning and afternoon sermons.

Many people who didn't get a chance to attend the service wept with joy as they caught a glimpse of the Aga Khan leaving the CNE grounds in his four-limousine motorcade.

"This is a very important event for Ismailis," said Wilma Jiwani, whose husband and three children travelled from Georgia.

"He is like what the Pope would be to Catholics," she added.

Jawed Ayam, 15, who came with his family from Whitby and was present at the sermon, said the imam is a source of inspiration for him.

"The talk was all about knowledge and how to seek knowledge, and it was very important to be here."

"will construct an Islamic art and heritage museum as well as a centre of worship on a site of almost seven hectares on Wynford Dr. near Eglinton Ave. and the Don Valley Parkway."

WTF? I had no idea there was even 7 hectares available in that area! Great news though.

What's the timeframe of construction, design, etc.?

Now, I'm not a permanent Toronto-resident, but I cannot see how this in will change the demography of the city. I think that it is great, that minorities and majorities have a place, where they can excercise their religion.

Thumbs up!

"WTF? I had no idea there was even 7 hectares available in that area! Great news though."

It's on the huge site of the old Bata headquarters (would be cool if this building was somehow retained)

Hmm, is this project going to get off the ground this time? Last time there was an article on this was in October 2002.

http://www.akdn.org/news/toronto_101002.html

Anyways, back to the topic of the thread. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this will look like. Hopefully they can have a mix of Western-Muslim architecture styles. If they make a very large Mosque in the middle, it would really stand out and could potentially look very attractive.
Other than that, I'll hold my thoughts until I see some pics

As for the project...great news...but I don't care much for the location.

I hope it can result in some better development in the area.

This thread is getting way off topic. All posts regarding the racist behaviour will be deleted because 1) The material can easily offend someone 2) This is a thread regarding new development and I wouldn't want to delete the whole thing 3) This thread isn't to argue the issues of immigration in Toronto. The person who started this incident has been sent a warning. Once again, messages with racist undertones is not welcome on this forum. I will give this forumer the benefit of the doubt that he isn't a racist, but if it occurs again, there will be discipline. Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world...if you can't handle it's changing demographics, then you shouldn't be living here or conversing in an urban Toronto forum.

Oh, me so solly. Fank you fo let me in yo country. Fogiverness please. Me welfare person who look for country like Canada that take in peopo from countree that dumb for overpopulation. So solly Regan. You Knoh my peepo so well. Thank for explain to me cause me don't know nothing cause me visibo minoritee.

That's funny! :lol: :hahaha:
OK, something completely different:
1, Toronto - like many, many other cities - is culturally diverse (I'm tired of the myth that Toronto is somehow unique in being culturally diverse: see New York, London, and any city in the Western World with over 2 million people in it. I've never been to Cleveland, but I bet they have a China Town too, so let's stop going on and on about our diversity. It's fantastic, to be certain. And for a city of its size, Toronto is very diverse. But if you think that is unique to Toronto, you should travel more.)

2, Toronto is culturally diverse, and you have to handle that fact, or not live here. If you cannot handle crowds, don't; go to Tokyo. If you can't handle ethnic diversity, then don't come to Toronto. You have to, at the very least, 'deal' with it.

3, . It's 'live and let live'.' Some ethnic group wants to close down part of a major street for a weekend and do their thing, and have food, ethnic dancing and singing, etc., then wonderful! Great! You're welcome to come if you so please. And you're welcome to not come- as you see fit.

4. Toronto is not about ACCEPTING diversity, it's about TOLERATING it. How many blacks have you seen working in an Italian bakery? How many Indians have you seen working in a Rotti house? Are Italians being racist for employing only Italians... well.. sort of, and sort of not. So what? The point is that the Italians allow the Jamaicans to run their own business, etc. Are Jamaicans happy seeing Rotti to Greeks? No doubt. Do Greeks mind selling lamb to Poles? No... Toronto is full of ethnic enclaves, where people from one predominate ethnic group control the area to the exclusion of others. Is this a bad thing? Not at all. Is it racist? Maybe. Is it evidence of ethnic tolerance or ethnic acceptance? I its clear evidence of ethnic TOLERANCE, not ACCEPTANCE. If there was true acceptance, there would be more Jamaicans serving schnitzel.

isn't that same speech from South Park's "Death Camp of Tolerance"?

3, . It's 'live and let live'.' Some ethnic group wants to close down part of a major street for a weekend and do their thing, and have food, ethnic dancing and singing, etc., then wonderful! Great! You're welcome to come if you so please. And you're welcome to not come- as you see fit.

Very good points Are Be
One thing I hate though is how they never advertise these events. There was a Portuguese Week Party at Trinity/Bellwoods park this week. If I had'nt cut through the park I would've never known. Toronto should do a better job promoting ALL our ethnic events, not just the big ones (Caribana, Taste of the Danforth, etc).

Sorry Luck24, just had to sneak that part in!

Anyways, is there any timetable for when renderings for the museum will be available, when construction will start, and will it will be completed?

That's funny! :lol: :hahaha:
OK, something completely different:
1, Toronto - like many, many other cities - is culturally diverse (I'm tired of the myth that Toronto is somehow unique in being culturally diverse: see New York, London, and any city in the Western World with over 2 million people in it. I've never been to Cleveland, but I bet they have a China Town too, so let's stop going on and on about our diversity. It's fantastic, to be certain. And for a city of its size, Toronto is very diverse. But if you think that is unique to Toronto, you should travel more.)


4. Toronto is not about ACCEPTING diversity, it's about TOLERATING it. How many blacks have you seen working in an Italian bakery? How many Indians have you seen working in a Rotti house? Are Italians being racist for employing only Italians... well.. sort of, and sort of not. So what? The point is that the Italians allow the Jamaicans to run their own business, etc. Are Jamaicans happy seeing Rotti to Greeks? No doubt. Do Greeks mind selling lamb to Poles? No... Toronto is full of ethnic enclaves, where people from one predominate ethnic group control the area to the exclusion of others. Is this a bad thing? Not at all. Is it racist? Maybe. Is it evidence of ethnic tolerance or ethnic acceptance? I its clear evidence of ethnic TOLERANCE, not ACCEPTANCE. If there was true acceptance, there would be more Jamaicans serving schnitzel.

Those are some bizzare examples. Toronto is very much about accepting diversity - sure, there are some negative elements, but overall, the city is a very accepting place.

In any case, I've seen all kinds of people working at all kinds of restaurants...Im not sure which Toronto you're living in.

You also seem to forget...there is a difference between just having a lot of different ethnic groups and accepting diversity. The latter describes Toronto.

3, . It's 'live and let live'.' Some ethnic group wants to close down part of a major street for a weekend and do their thing, and have food, ethnic dancing and singing, etc., then wonderful! Great! You're welcome to come if you so please. And you're welcome to not come- as you see fit.

Very good points Are Be
One thing I hate though is how they never advertise these events. There was a Portuguese Week Party at Trinity/Bellwoods park this week. If I had'nt cut through the park I would've never known. Toronto should do a better job promoting ALL our ethnic events, not just the big ones (Caribana, Taste of the Danforth, etc).

Sorry Luck24, just had to sneak that part in!

Anyways, is there any timetable for when renderings for the museum will be available, when construction will start, and will it will be completed?


Well, the city isn't responsible, really, for promoting these events to us...the event organizers are. I think for most events, the city promotes as much as it is their responsibility too.


I hope a rendering for this comes out soon...it's been talked about for a long time now.

Well, the city isn't responsible, really, for promoting these events to us...the event organizers are. I think for most events, the city promotes as much as it is their responsibility too.


I hope a rendering for this comes out soon...it's been talked about for a long time now.

Funny you should mention this. The promoters for this year's Brazillian festival were advertising primarily along Dundas West. I'm sure that no one outside of the community would have heard about this.

They're finally trying to expand to the greater community. Thank god! We could use a little more Brazilian flair in Toronto!

Funny you should mention this. The promoters for this year's Brazillian festival were advertising primarily along Dundas West. I'm sure that no one outside of the community would have heard about this.

They're finally trying to expand to the greater community. Thank god! We could use a little more Brazilian flair in Toronto!

Exactly...a lot of these events don't promote themselves in the best way or make the most efficient use of their promotional budget...thus, they don't grow as fast as some other events.

Taste of the Danforth did a good job in that respect...they quickly grew into one of the larger festivals in the city.

Hmm, is this project going to get off the ground this time? Last time there was an article on this was in October 2002.

It's a complex project which changed half way. Initially, it was just the land at DVP and Eglinton, and the Museum part came in play only after acquiring the Bata building and land. The two lots together form a large piece of land. Recently, some folks put a wrench in the project as they wanted to make the 40 year old Bata building a heritage site, however, that was voted down at the North York Community Council meeting last week. I believe the designs, by world renouned architects Fumihiko Maki and Charles Correa, are almost ready. I'm hearing construction from 2006 to 2009.

I am so torn apart by this.... between my approval of multiculturalism and my dissaproval of religion in general.

That was just a personal insight... I'm delighted by such a project. Go Toronto!

I have the renderings in my hands RIGHT NOW. I need to get my scanner working and when i do, ill post it.

Still waiting for the renderings from iownyou14, however, both the Globe and the Star reported approval for the Aga Khan project at yesterday's council meeting.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050929/COUNCIL29/TPNational/?query=Aga+Khan
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1127944212155&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes

Alright, here you go. I dont want to pass these pics around too much. These are pictures of the Spiritual Centre, not the Museum.

http://img298.imageshack.us/img298/2888/akmuseum13yk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img298.imageshack.us/img298/3967/akmuseum26ic.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sorry for the quality.

Is there a strong Muslim population in Toronto? I thought that something like this would work out better in Brampton (minus the museum, I think that would get quite a bit of attention from non-muslims).

red x's

Is there a strong Muslim population in Toronto? I thought that something like this would work out better in Brampton (minus the museum, I think that would get quite a bit of attention from non-muslims).

It's the Shia Imami Ismaili Community [its complex, but just as there are many groupings in Christianity, there is a similar plurality within the 1.4 B Muslims] and about 50% of their Toronto population is located within a few kilometers of this location. In fact they have several offices and other buildings in the region also, though most are not purpose built.

Should be working now.

It's nice. Although I'd prefer a more traditional structure with a bold Ismaili theme.


BTW does anyone have any shots of the beautiful existing mosques around the GTA (like Ahmadiyya? in Vaughn)???

Alright, here you go. I dont want to pass these pics around too much. These are pictures of the Spiritual Centre, not the Museum.

http://img298.imageshack.us/img298/2888/akmuseum13yk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img298.imageshack.us/img298/3967/akmuseum26ic.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sorry for the quality.

Excerpt from the Globe and Mail ...
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=N756VPYTJJF

"At the Don Valley Parkway and Eglinton Avenue East on Wynford Drive,
the Bata headquarters occupies the highest and most desirable part of
the property in suburban Don Mills - acreage the Aga Khan purchased
from the Batas in 2002. Parkin picked it right for his
shoe-manufacturing clients. And, 40 years later in what is a
dramatically different, pluralistic Toronto, Correa has picked it
right for his: the Ismailis, a community-in-exile that fled to Toronto
from eastern Africa. About 35,000 Ismailis now live in Toronto, with
another 50,000 spread across Canada.

Most of the 90,000-square-foot Ismaili Centre is designed to be modest
in scale with the building's social spaces, library and meeting hall
broken down like two-storey houses in a village. The Jamatkhana, or
prayer hall, is designed to rise 20 meters <that's 66 feet for our US
friends>. Its roof is to be constructed of two layers of frosted
glass with varying transparency, an expansive and poetic proposition
that, lit up, might make travelling the expressway a little more
bearable at night."

Im trying to get some renderings of the Museum now. It will be accross the Spirtual Centre (garden in the middle).

It's nice. Although I'd prefer a more traditional structure with a bold Ismaili theme.

Don't have pictures of other Muslim centres in Toronto, however, here are interesting pictures and discussions of other Ismaili Centres. You'll find that they are all quite diverse.

Burnaby [several thumbs]:
- http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=5387
- sample picture
http://archnet.org/mediadownloader/LibraryImagesBig/image/38740/0/IAA15864.jpg
http://archnet.org/mediadownloader/LibraryImagesBig/image/38748/0/IAA15872.jpg

London [several thumbs]:
[this one is intersting as it's along museum row - directly across the Victoria & Albert. One of it's two gardens is on the roof]
- http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=5388
- http://www.christopherlong.co.uk/pri.ismaili.html
- sample pictures
http://archnet.org/mediadownloader/LibraryImagesBig/image/38754/0/IAA15878.jpg
http://archnet.org/mediadownloader/LibraryImagesBig/image/38765/0/IAA15889.jpg

Lisbon:
- http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3575/is_1273_213/ai_99215195

It's nice. Although I'd prefer a more traditional structure with a bold Ismaili theme.


BTW does anyone have any shots of the beautiful existing mosques around the GTA (like Ahmadiyya? in Vaughn)???


replying to my own.....
GTA mosques.. all I could find.
http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/islamicarchitecture/visual/images/102.jpg
http://www2.alislam.org/gallery/watermark.php?image_file=/mosques/aad.sized.jpg
http://www.gawaher.com/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=492
http://info.uah.edu/msa/pics/islamfou.jpg

Ismili Mosques are different than usual mosques.

Yeah, but I very much like the above masjids.

Masjid architecture has not been stagnant, though for large swats of time it may have seemed so. An example is the fact that the first Masjids did not have minarets. Just look at the Al-Aqsa Mosque (691) which appears in the news now and then. Though there are some people who point to North Africa, many believe the first minaret was actually a bell tower from a converted church in Damascus around 715. The folks who used to call for prayer from the roof-tops and going up and down streets figured, hey, this tower could be useful.

The fact that a building from 1300 years ago may not have had heating doesn't mean we don't have it now ... and beyond that, there is no "lock" on asthetics and creativity. The fact that a minaret existed in a building from 1000 years ago may not be as relavant today, as there isn't a need [or a want] for some guy to call for prayer from a loud speaker in Toronto.

Another example is the contemporary Mosque of the Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkey. Built into the side of a hill, its qibla wall [IE the direction the folks attending the mosque face during prayer] is made of glass, and opens to the garden. Quite a change from prior structures, and inspirational.

Mosque of the Grand National Assembly, Ankara, Turkey
http://www.akdn.org/agency/akaa/sixthcycle/turkey1.html

I had been made to understand that design details would be prepared in the first half of 2006, and then go back to council for review prior to the Bata building being taken down. Wondering if anyone has more recent news, IE date of the review, etcetera.

Also - I've received more recent news that there is a third premier architect assigned for the broader project. Fumihiko Maki is the architect for the Aga Khan Museum, Charles Correa is the architect for the Ismaili Centre, and there is a Lebanese architect for the public park - not sure of the name yet. Previously, one of the people posting on this thread suggested it was only one prime architect with a couple helpers - that's not the case, as this project is working like the WTC site - where different architects are given pieces to prime (Maki being one of them for the WTC project).

200 mill eh, seems like a whole lot.......

^^ All private too ...

Man, I wish this baby had gone in downtown somewhere.

Have just learned who the third architect is ...

First we had the famous Maki of Japan (for the Museum). Then with had the famous Correa of India (Ismaili Centre). Now I've just learned that we have the famous Djurovic of Lebanon (for the public gardens). You might be wondering about Djurovic's name ... turns out his father is from Serbia.

Quite the cultural mix we have there!!

Djurovic gives an interview in this month's Interior Design:
http://www.interiordesign.net/id_article/CA6355730/id

It is a pretty exciting project.. but still wish it were going downtown and that they didn't have to demolish the old Bata Shoe headquarters. However, I am dying to see good renderings.

Considering that this is a privately funded project, i find it odd that it is taking so long for anything to get rolling. I mean, yes the project is probably quite large in scope, but besides those few grainy renderings published by the Globe, we have almost nothing to go on. No model pictures, no renderings or even sketches..?

The same goes for the aga kahn building in Ottawa- nothing circulating about this either...

p5

Considering that this is a privately funded project, i find it odd that it is taking so long for anything to get rolling. I mean, yes the project is probably quite large in scope, but besides those few grainy renderings published by the Globe, we have almost nothing to go on. No model pictures, no renderings or even sketches..?

The same goes for the aga kahn building in Ottawa on Sussex Drive - nothing circulating about this either...

p5

With respect to the Ottawa building - there is a virtual reality tour of the building - I posted a link on SSP in the ottawa thread. There has been a model on that for a long time (and was present in 2005 when the Governor General conducted the sod turning ceremony). That building is well under contruction.

With respect to this building, it is very complex as you've noted. The designs have gone back and forth numerous times (internally from what I understand - not with city). Keep in mind also that the design houses are all of significant standing and internationally distributed. It has got to be tricky. The other part is, much of the coordination of the project is being conducted by a volunteer team.

You'll find many of the 'Aga Khan' projects take a long time, but in the end are very well thought out and generally worth the wait. The Al-Azhar Park project in Cairo is one such example. Massive positive impact to the surrounding areas ... it is now the second most popular tourist spot in Egypt (after the pyramids)!

The relatively smaller Ismaili centre in Burnaby, BC is spectacular. If anyone ever goes to Vancouver and is interested in fine architecture, I highly recommend a visit.

^^^thanks walli!

I had no idea that the project in Ottawa had actually commenced construction- that is great news. I can wait for this project-especially considering it is being pulled together by volunteers- i was just curious to see a little more information, in the form of drawings and renderings etc.

p5

I think we are damned lucky to get this project. And all because his first choice, London, made it very difficult for him to build it there so he finally gave up and started planning it for Toronto. Their loss = our gain.

Got a question. where is it going to be located, and when is the earliest you think it will start construction?

The museum will be built along the 404 at Eglinton Ave East. If you are familiar with the location of the present Bata Shoe building, which is located on top of the groomed grass hill, then you know where it will be built..

p5

Somewhat close to the Onatario Science Centre

yup, exactly!

I had no idea that the project in Ottawa had actually commenced construction- that is great news.

The interesting thing about the Ottawa building is that it is in the midst of several 'Muslim' country embassies - Saudi, Kuwait, Malaysian, and the recently topped off UAE embassies ... so it will create an interesting area.

The museum will be built along the 404 at Eglinton Ave East. If you are familiar with the location of the present Bata Shoe building, which is located on top of the groomed grass hill, then you know where it will be built.

Right. The entire parcel is something like 17 acres, as it includes the undeveloped lot along DVP with the row of large trees as well as the entire Bata site including the aged parkinglot and undeveloped field along its North. As p5 indicated, the Museum (Maki - Japanese architect) will be along the DVP side. On the Bata side will be the Ismaili Centre (Correa - Indian architect) and between the two, covering a majority of the site, will be a public garden (Djurovic - Lebanese architect). Parking will be underground, including under the garden.

The interesting thing about the Ottawa building is that it is in the midst of several 'Muslim' country embassies - Saudi, Kuwait, Malaysian, and the recently topped off UAE embassies ... so it will create an interesting area.

Haven't had any news on the Toronto projects for a while, IE the museum, public gardens and the cultural centre ... anyone else have more news on those?

I sent a note to the architectural firm that is doing the gardens, asking if any renderings were available. They said their site will be update in January.

I recall hearing that the project team is supposed to present detailed designs to city council, however, that might have gotten delayed with the elections.

The Aga Khan was in Ottawa a couple weeks ago at the invitation of the Prime Minister. During that visit he probably engaged the project team(s) in discussions / progress on the Toronto projects also.

Tangential item ... update on the two Ottawa projects (and keep in mind that all of the 'Aga Khan' Canadian projects are being managed in a somewhat inter-woven pattern)

The Aga Khan's The Global Centre for Pluralism will not be a brand new building, but instead will be housed in the old archives of the dominion building (old war museum, between the national art gallery and the royal canadian mint, on sussex drive). It is a heritage building, and the Aga Khan will be investing $20M just to rehabilitate it. [he'll be adding a further $10M for the endowment, and the government is matching the total $30M with another $30M, also towards the endowment].

With respect to the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat (also on Sussex drive, next to foreign affairs / Lester B Pearson building), that is supposedly well on it's way to completion ... formal opening in spring I would think!

Please clarify, what exactly are we going to see in this museum?

Do you go there for a picnic? Sunday with the family?

Thanks.

Please clarify, what exactly are we going to see in this museum?

Do you go there for a picnic? Sunday with the family?

Thanks.

I'd suggest a review of the thread. In addition, the following may help ...

Press release:
http://www.akdn.org/news/toronto_101002.html

specifically:
"The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) today announced its intention to establish in Toronto a museum housing exceptional collections of Islamic art and heritage as well as a unique academic and cultural center focused on the study and practice of human pluralism.

The museum, which will be the first of its kind in the English speaking world, is expected to include artefacts from renowned private collections including those of His Highness the Aga Khan and of the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. Prince Sadruddin and Princess Catherine Aga Khan have also expressed a desire for their collection to be part of the museum. The museum will be dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, display and interpretation of artefacts relating to the intellectual, cultural, artistic and religious traditions of Muslim communities, past and present. Artefacts will include ceramics, metalwork and paintings covering all periods of Islamic history. Manuscripts in the collection will include the earliest one extant of Avicenna’s Qanun fi’l Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) dated 1052. "

Of the above two, the global centre for pluralism was moved to ottawa, and I mentioned above that it will be in the former war museum building, the second 'Aga Khan' building along confederation blvd on sussex drive.

It is also important to note that this museum, of international standing, is 100% funded by the Aga Khan and his institutions (including the land).

aktc museums project:
http://www.akdn.org/agency/aktc_museum.html

There are also several documents on the city of toronto web-site.

Here are some excerpts from articles that have appeared on the subject:

-----
The Ismaili centre and the museum will be a monument to a history
older than modernism. In doing so, it will add something to the North
York fabric that civic leaders old and new have always found elusive:
a meaningful celebration of the rich - and ancient - cultures of those
who live here.

It will also provide parks, culture and amenities to another group of
modernism's victims - the families and children who are living in
Flemingdon Park.
http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/opinion/column/story/3045777p-3532317c.html
-----

Jenkins (Ward 25, Don Valley West) spoke glowingly of the group's plans.

"It will truly be a jewel in Toronto's cap," he said. "It is an
extraordinary development that will put Toronto on the map and we very
much appreciate the Aga Khan Foundation identifying Toronto as an
appropriate site for this investment."
Sep. 29, 2005. 01:00 AM
City removes obstacle for Aga Khan centre
PAUL MOLONEY
CITY HALL BUREAU
-----

"In the interest of the whole city, the cultural centre should be
built," Bata said. "It is an honour Toronto was chosen for the project
and this opportunity should not be passed up. It would be most
unfortunate and a great loss to Toronto if this marvelous project does
not go ahead."

Former Toronto mayor Barbara Hall also threw her support behind the
Aga Khan project, adding she was excited about the proposal for the
Don Mills community.

"This community wants to make a contribution to Toronto," she said.
"It is world class in the real meaning of those words. Don't put
barriers and roadblocks in the way of this proposal."
http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/northy/story/3045815p-3532245c.html
-----

"Correa's client, the Aga Khan, is without parallel in the Western
world for his dedication to rebuilding communities through healthcare,
education, business and architecture. His pledge of $200 million for
the Ismaili Centre by Correa and the Aga Khan museum, to be designed
by acclaimed Japanese modernist Fumihiko Maki, provides an exceptional
model of arts patronage for the city.'
Sept 22, 2005 Globe and Mail
-----

go there for a picnic?

Sorry, but I generally can't get excited about or get behind any kind of organized religious facility...and at the end of the day, this is all it is...organized religion imposing itself on society. Reminds me too much of those tv evangilists who used to try and "raise" funds to build jesus theme parks or some shit.






KGB

I hardly see it as imposing itself on society. If it's a nice building, then its a nice building. If it's a drab one, it's a drab one. If it provides a point of interest in the city, then so much the better. This particular one I probably won't be visiting, I must admit. In fact, I don't think there are any churches really worth visiting in this city. Maybe in Europe.

I hardly see it as imposing itself on society.


Well, that's what religions do...recruit and try to improve their influence on society. When I said impose, I also meant in subtle ways. This project is to support a specific religious movement...Toronto was picked because of problems elsewhere, and using Toronto's "pluralism" as a PR slant is just that. Ironic, in that I have never run across a religious movement that is actually pluralistic...they are generally the opposite.





I don't think there are any churches really worth visiting in this city. Maybe in Europe.

Oh, from a purely architectural point of view, there are many fine churches in Toronto to visit (and I do it often). The architectural details, the workmanship, the stained glass, the bells, the art, etc are all as good as can be found anywhere.

It's only a problem when you bring in the whole god/jesus/mohamad/nike running shoes aspect of it. LOL

On another level, I actually enjoy watching everyone running around with all their very different views on religion...makes it interesting when I don't think about it too much. It's all good I guess...especially here. In other parts of the world it aint so wonderful.





KGB

This isn't just some religious establishment. The new collections will be welcome and I look forward to seeing them.

Sorry, but I generally can't get excited about or get behind any kind of organized religious facility...and at the end of the day, this is all it is...organized religion imposing itself on society. Reminds me too much of those tv evangilists who used to try and "raise" funds to build jesus theme parks or some shit.

The Aga Khan Museum is not a religious facility, and it is absolutely not organized religion imposing itself on society. Also, all the funds have already been committed, and they are not being requested of you, the public, or any level of government.

The ignorance in society is at unbelievable levels (even on this thread) and as such, this type of international caliber project is most welcome!

This will be Pritzker prize winning Fumahiko Maki's second building in Canada.

For you not to get excited is your prerogative, but at least understand the facts first!

Here are some comments from a prior City of Toronto report:

---
Plans for the design of the project are still preliminary. Discussions with the architect indicate the museum alone will be approximately 200,000 square feet, and will be of world wide prominence. The museum’s collection is to include ceramics, metalwork and paintings from all periods of Islamic history. The collection of manuscripts is to include the earliest one extant of the Avicenna’s Qanun fi’l Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) dated 1052.

Discussions are underway concerning the educational centre, which is collaboration between the AKDN and the Government of Canada focusing on human pluralism. The AKDN has longstanding relationships with the University of Toronto, McMaster University, McGill University, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prime Minister Chrétien and senior government ministers are understood to have been involved in discussions
concerning this initiative.

The AKDN is an umbrella organization that operates numerous agencies in the fields of health, education, culture and rural economic development. These agencies, which include the Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Education Services, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Aga Khan University and the Aga Khan fund for Economic Development, operate primarily in Asia and Africa.

<...>

The AKDN proposal would appear to be a major acquisition for the City of Toronto, and demonstrates that the world recognizes Toronto’s longstanding tradition of tolerance. It further adds to Toronto’s appeal as a vibrant international city capable of competing for prominent business, research and cultural attractions. This announcement made world coverage in many major newspapers increasing Toronto’s world wide profile.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2003/agendas/council/cc030204/edp2rpt/cl001.pdf

-----

This project is most welcome. I am very excited to see the artifacts when it is open. This is the type of investment we need more of in Toronto.... I hope he invests more here, and in different ways.

Well, to quell fears of ignorance in this thread, I am going to state that although I'm a Christian (to use a label that can mean alot of things these days), I am really glad we're getting this!

Should be really interesting, and I am definitely going to check it out... sorry when did they say it's being constructed/completed, again?

-thryve

Should be really interesting, and I am definitely going to check it out... sorry when did they say it's being constructed/completed, again?

Timeline has not been made public, but people have noted that the Aga Khan will have his 'Golden Jubilee' from July 11th 2007 to July 11th 2008, and as such, speculation has it that the ground breaking would be within that period of time. Not sure how long construction would take.

Projects related to his 'Silver Jubilee' (1982/3) included the Aga Khan University (which now has ten teaching centres / campuses, distributed over seven countries on three continents), among other significant projects.

Ironic, in that I have never run across a religious movement that is actually pluralistic...they are generally the opposite.

KGB

Actually, the rapid rise of the Ottoman Empire is attributed in large part to the pluralistic nature of Islam. There was generally no attempt to convert those conquered. Ottoman rulers were very tolerant of other cultures and faiths. In the West, we tend to think everyone approaches religion the way Christianity does. In fact, that's often not true.

Actually, the rapid rise of the Ottoman Empire is attributed in large part to the pluralistic nature of Islam. There was generally no attempt to convert those conquered. Ottoman rulers were very tolerant of other cultures and faiths. In the West, we tend to think everyone approaches religion the way Christianity does. In fact, that's often not true.

Same goes for the Fatimid Empire, led by the forefathers of the Aga Khan, who in their time, founded the city of Cairo (969AD). Sevearl leading positions in the government were given to Jews and Christians - the equivalent of the finance minister, was a Jewish fellow for a long period. This is well documented in Jewish history.

Relating to this sub-topic of pluralism (in context of the Aga Khan's global centre for pluralism in Ottawa - www.pluralism.ca), a recent speech by Chancellor Cantor of Syracuse University is most interesting:

http://www.syr.edu/chancellor/speeches/faradaySpeech.pdf

Now - I'd suggest we leave this side discussion alone for now ... I'm waiting for more renderings / details!

BTW - the Canon of Medicine is also an item of great importance to the Western history of medicine. I'm very excited that the oldest copy of it will be housed at this museum in Canada!

Details can be found at - United States National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/arabic/E8.html

and there always is wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canon_of_Medicine

I am MOST interested to see the priceless artifacts this museum brings to our city. London gave him so much attitude about it that he decided to build it here. London's loss = Toronto's gain. How sad for them. My only regret is that he did not build it right downtown.

I am MOST interested to see the priceless artifacts this museum brings to our city. London gave him so much attitude about it that he decided to build it here. London's loss = Toronto's gain. How sad for them. My only regret is that he did not build it right downtown.

That is an interesting point. Somewhere more central would have been great.

However, the current location could use a boost, so this is a positive injection for sure.

I can think of a few gem locations downtown, but I believe he wanted it to be closer to the actual community.

A portion of the to-be-built Aga Khan Museum's permanent collection is currently on tour in Europe. It opened in Parma, Italy some weeks ago and will be there till June. It will then be traveling to London and other European centres, prior to landing at the Toronto permanent home.

Italy exhibit press release (includes a link to some pictures):
http://www.akdn.org/news/2007march30_Parma.html

Exhibit web-site (in Italian):
http://www.splendoriacorte.org/

It is interesting to note that along with the exhibit is a lecture and public engagement series, and a number of musical performances from various parts of the world. Somewhat of a cultural extravaganza!

Lastly, the press release states construction of the Toronto structure is to be complete in 2010.

Construction to be complete by 2010? There haven't even been any preliminary plans completed-not to mention, Charles Corea's projects tend to take a long time and undergo numerous changes during the design process.

p5

Construction to be complete by 2010? There haven't even been any preliminary plans completed-not to mention, Charles Corea's projects tend to take a long time and undergo numerous changes during the design process.

p5

ALL of the plans are completed at this point - they just are not public. You are right that Charles Correa projects take a long time and undergo numerous changes. His portion of the design started in 2000, IE seven years ago, and indeed went through a ton of changes. Interestingly, of the three international calibre architects, Correa was done his portion first.

^^ one more thing to point out. Correa is NOT working on the Museum part of the project - that would be Fumihiko Maki. It is the museum that the prior document mentioned would be ready in 2010. Though I'd suspect that they would want all parts of this broader project completed together, it is possible that the different pieces finish at different times.

Can't wait for this project to be completed, should be a real jem. One of my best friends is Ismali, they seem like a very tolerant people. There's a big community in Toronto as well, so it makes sense for it to be here if not London.

I heard that he felt London was making it difficult for him to locate the museum in the city, so he warned them if they didn't want it, he would build elsewhere. London's loss=Toronto's gain.

A seven hectare museum? That's massive.

I believe this exhibition, also containing works that will end up in the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, will open July 12th in London, England. Note that the pieces are different than the ones shown recently in Italy ... so this is unveiling of a second complimentary / additional component of the collection. The highlights listed in the article appear to be absolutely world class!

-----
http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=20649

Unseen Masterpieces of Islamic Art Revealed

LONDON, UK.-Spirit & Life, an exhibition of rare Islamic art and manuscripts never before displayed in the UK, will run this summer at The Ismaili Centre, South Kensington, London. Highlights will include miniatures from one of the finest illustrated manuscripts ever produced, the Persian epic Shahnama (The Book of Kings) and an extremely rare copy of the Canon of Medicine of Ibn Sina, used in Europe and the Middle East as the standard medical textbook for over 500 years.

Organised by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Spirit & Life will present treasures from the permanent collection of the Aga Khan Museum, which will open in Toronto, Canada, in 2010. The museum is an initiative of His Highness the Aga Khan, (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, who intends the museum to be a centre of education and learning dedicated to the presentation of Muslim arts and culture in all their historic, cultural and geographical diversity. Surrounded by a large landscaped park, the museum will be housed in a 10,000 square-metre building designed by the Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki. The Aga Khan Museum will offer unique insights and new perspectives into Muslim civilisations.

“This exhibition of artistic masterpieces from the Islamic world underlines that the arts, particularly when they are spiritually inspired, can become a medium of discourse that transcends the barriers of our day-to-day experiences and preoccupations,” said His Highness the Aga Khan. “Many questions are currently being raised in the West about the Muslim world, with countless misconceptions and misunderstandings occurring between our contemporary societies. I hope that this exhibition will hold a special significance at a time which calls for enlightened encounters amongst faiths and cultures.”

The London exhibition will display over 165 objects from the collection showing the diversity of artistic traditions in the Muslim world. Textiles, exquisite miniatures, rare manuscripts, ceramics, precious pages from the Qur’an, scientific medical texts, books of fables, and tiles and musical instruments will be shown alongside some of the finest portraits of Ottoman sultans and Qajar shahs of the 19th century. The exhibition covers a geographical area stretching from India in the East to Morocco in the West and spans over a thousand years from the ninth to the 19th century.

“The political crises of the last few years, and the large numbers of Muslims emigrating to the West, have revealed – often dramatically – the considerable lack of knowledge of the Muslim world in many Western societies,” said Luis Monreal, General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). “This ignorance spans all aspects of Islam: its pluralism, the diversity of interpretations within the Qur’anic faith, the chronological and geographical extent of its history and culture, as well as the ethnic, linguistic and social diversity of its peoples. The supposed ‘clash of civilisations’ is in reality nothing more than a manifestation of mutual ignorance.”

Highlights from Spirit & Life include:

An extraordinarily rare and probably the earliest extant manuscript of volume 5 of the Canon of Medicine of Ibn Sina (Avicenna) dated 1052 CE. The Canon is perhaps the single most influential text in the history of medicine. Such was its usefulness that from its origins in the early 11th century in western Iran, it was used all over the Middle East and Europe as the standard medical textbook for a period of five centuries. The Canon formed the basis of medical teaching at European universities until the beginning of modern times.

A folio from the ‘Houghton’ Shahnama, made for the Safavid ruler of Persia, Shah Tahmasp. The manuscript is decorated with 258 miniatures, attributable to almost all of the major Persian artists of the first half of the 16th century and universally acknowledged as not only one of the finest illustrated manuscripts of any period but also among the greatest works of art in the world. The Shahnama or Book of Kings is the Persian national epic by Firdausi, who spent almost 35 years composing the 30,000 couplets, finally completing it in about 1010 CE.

A page from the Blue Qur’an, one of the most extraordinary and most luxurious Qur’an manuscripts ever produced. Created for the Fatimid imam-caliphs ruling North Africa in the early 10th century, it is a wonder of Islamic calligraphy.

A dervish’s begging bowl made in the form of a boat. Such bowls were carried by itinerant dervishes. This refined and beautiful bowl is one of five important Safavid examples from the end of the 16th century and has a wide band of elegant inscriptions in Persian and several bands of floral interlace decoration.

An 11th century bird incense burner. A masterpiece of medieval bronze casting, it was probably made in the Islamic Mediterranean. Metalwork incense burners were made in a variety of shapes including animal forms such as lions and birds and the incense was emitted through the pierce-work decoration of their bodies.

A late 10th or early 11th century lustre jar. Produced in Egypt, the jar appears to be the only surviving example of this type that is intact. The beautiful decoration consists of knotting or braiding cables and foliated kufic calligraphy.

Albarellos (apothecary jar for medicaments) were popular in Syria in the 14th century, and such jars were produced in large quantities both for the home market and for export to Europe, especially Italy. This example has an armorial shield which is an azure on argent variant of the arms of the city of Florence.

A slip-decorated pottery dish decorated with geometry and calligraphy and produced in the eastern Iranian world in the 10th century. The organised polychrome decorative programme consists of a central interlacing strapwork pattern. Colourful abstract motifs are inserted between the vertical letters of the kufic inscription.

Three folios from the Akhlaq-i Nasiri, a philosophical treatise divided into three discourses, dealing with ethics, social justice and politics. Written by Nasir al-Din Tusi, a philosopher, man of letters and one of the great intellects of medieval Iran, the subject-matter of the Akhlaq-i Nasiri did not lend itself to illustration. However, this manuscript was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the late 16th century and is uniquely illustrated with 17 full-page miniatures.

One of the most sumptuous and rarest examples of a complete robe from the Mongol period. The cut of the robe is typically Mongol, with its full skirt, its broad wrap-over, and the extremely long sleeves. It is likely that this robe originated in Central Asia in the late 13th or early 14th century.

Additional info ... there is now a web-site for this exhibit from the Aga Khan Museum Toronto:
http://www.spiritandlife2007.org/

The web-site for the prior exhibit from the Aga Khan Museum Toronto is:
http://www.splendoriacorte.org/

Walli, thanks for keeping this thread alive every now and then with additional news. I am very interested in it and think we should be thanking our lucky stars
that we got it. Wish the Aga Khan would invest more money in our city....

This is a much better rendering than we had previously. I think this is only a portion of the complex ...

http://www.akdn.org/graphics/uk/ak_museum.jpg

Aga Khan Museum (AKM) (http://www.akdn.org/agency/aktc_museum.html)

Conceived as an educational and cultural entity of international pre-eminence expected to attract scholars and the general public from both sides of the Canadian/United States border, the Museum will be situated in a prime location, close to other important cultural institutions, in the city of Toronto.

It will present and promote knowledge of the diversity and breadth of Islamic art, through permanent and temporary exhibitions, with emphasis on Shia Islam and the Ismaili community in particular. The museum will be dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, display and interpretation of artefacts relating to the intellectual, cultural, artistic and religious traditions of Muslim communities, past and present. Artefacts will include ceramics, metalwork, and paintings covering all periods of Islamic history. Manuscripts in the collection will include the earliest known copy of Avicenna’s Qanun fi’l- Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) dated 1052. It will be the first of its kind in the English-speaking world, and will also include important collections, including those of His Highness the Aga Khan and Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan. Selected items from the collections (http://www.akdn.org/museums/index.html).

A music programme is planned, which will work to expand knowledge of the traditional music of Asia and the Islamic world, as well as their contemporary expression.

The museum will become a repository of historical materials related to the Ismaili community and house research programmes related to each one of the aspects of its institutional mission. It will also provide a space for permanent exchanges between the Islamic and the Western worlds on educational, cultural and socioeconomic issues.

Very cool.... can't wait til work begins on this.

I like that white part. It looks like a mountain.

Guys - the Aga Khan Museum's "Spirit & Life" exhibition just opened yesterday in London. There were a couple of interesting speeches that also touched on the final site in Toronto for these pieces. I really recommend reading the speeches - Prince Charles' speech really provides us a glimpse of the calibre of these items!

Speech by HH the Aga Khan:
http://www.akdn.org/speeches/2007July12.htm

Speech by HRH the Prince of Wales:
http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/speechesandarticles/a_speech_by_hrh_the_prince_of_wales_at_the_opening_of_the_ag_1254785784.html

A few pictures of the opening event:
http://www.akdn.org/news/2007July12_photos.html

Web-site of the specific exhibition:
http://www.akdn.org/museums/index.html

ALSO - there have been a number of articles on this exhibit, and the fact it will be part of the museum in Toronto. Here are just a few:

GLOBE & MAIL (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070711.AGA11/TPStory/Entertainment)

A stunning debut for Toronto-bound Treasures of Islam
Headshot of Elizabeth Renzetti

ELIZABETH RENZETTI
July 11, 2007

LONDON -- On the top floor of the Ismaili Centre in London there is an architect's model for a building that will one day be built across the Atlantic Ocean: the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

The museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, combines Eastern influences with concessions to its host country's climate. It's early days yet - with luck, the museum will open in 2011 - but there are constant discussions about what is possible. The museum's walls, which slope gently out from the ground, might be clad in Norwegian marble. "The plan is for the building to glow," says Benoit Junor of the Aga Khan Foundation.

Eastern influences are evident throughout, from the six-sided dome at one end of the roof to the courtyard at the museum's other end. That courtyard may yet be covered, and the shallow rectangular pools that lie within the museum's gardens will be a magnet for visitors in spring, but in the winter? "Maybe they could be skating rinks," Junor says with a smile.

Downstairs, the treasures that will one day fill the museum are about to go on display for the first time in a show called Spirit & Life: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection. The exhibit is drawn from the Aga Khan's vast holdings, including everything from paintings and textiles to Koranic scripts, calligraphic instruments to ceramic bowls.

The London show will be opened tomorrow by the Aga Khan, one day after he begins the celebration of his Golden Jubilee. The spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili Muslim community, Prince Karim Aga Khan became the 49th imam in 1957.

Amassing treasures for his cultural foundation may have been easier for the Aga Khan than for some - as he points out in the catalogue accompanying Spirit & Life, his family has been collecting for more than 1,000 years (his uncle Prince Sadruddin is a particularly passionate collector of Islamic art). "Many questions are currently being raised in the West about the Muslim world, with countless misconceptions and misunderstandings occurring between our contemporary societies," he writes. The exhibit, he says, is an opportunity for a more enlightened encounter.

Such encounters form a small but important part of Spirit & Life. One of the exhibit's centrepieces is a segment of The Canon of Medicine by Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna), which was a primary medical text through the Middle East and Europe for 500 years. A painting of Iran's Fath' Ali Shah shows the ruler taking pride of place over ambassadors from European courts, who are decidedly less grand in dress and stature.

There's also a series of exquisite illustrations from the 16th-century Persian Shahnama, or Book of Kings. The manuscript was split apart in the 20th century and about 30 years ago, according to Alnoor Merchant of the Ismaili Centre, the Iranian government traded a Willem de Kooning nude to retrieve some of the drawings.

"The whole scope in Islamic art is represented here," Merchant said, before leading a tour of the exhibit, which is divided into two themes, The Word of God and The Power of the Sovereign. In the first, Koranic texts - from a tiny, almost illegible script on a 21-foot scroll to a striking gold-and-blue fragment of verse - sit next to paintings of Sufi mystics and the tools they used (a dervish's brass begging bowl looks too large for one fellow, who presumably doesn't eat very much, to carry around all day.) The show's second half focuses on the reign of kings and more earthly pursuits, from musical instruments to calligraphic tools to a beautiful lacquered archer's bow painted with scenes from a hunt. In all, there are more than 160 objects in the show, spanning a period of 1,000 years.

After it closes in London at the end of August, the Spirit & Life exhibit will move to the Louvre, and possibly other European destinations, before landing in its permanent home in Toronto's Aga Khan Museum. The 10,000-square-metre museum is slated for a site in Don Mills, northeastern Toronto, on a lot that used to house the headquarters of Bata Shoes. The Toronto site was announced in 2002, after two attempts by the Aga Khan Foundation to find suitable London properties failed.

There are about 70,000 Ismaili Muslims in Canada, with about half that number in Ontario. Toronto might not seem the most obvious home for the Aga Khan museum, but according to Luis Monreal, head of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, it's perfectly situated, within easy travel distance of the large metropolitan hubs in southern Canada and the northeastern United States.

As well, Monreal says, the museum will be "a real signature building," yet another attraction for culture vultures drawn to the city by all the big-name architects working on projects there.

UK CHANNEL 4 (http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/arts_entertainment/art/rare+islamic+art+makes+first+trip+to+uk/592857)
Rare Islamic art makes first trip to UK

ASSOCIATED PRESS PAKISTAN (http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12337&Itemid=2)
Rare Islamic manuscripts to go on public display

Here is another article - this one from the CBC - mentioning the museum in Toronto. The mention is some ways down, but the entire article is interesting as it provides context.

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Aga Khan, spiritual leader to 15 million Ismaili Muslims, marks golden jubilee
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 | 3:00 PM ET
Canadian Press: ANNE-MARIE TOBIN

TORONTO (CP) - As Ismaili Muslims around the world mark the occasion Wednesday of the Aga Khan's golden jubilee, Canadians among them are grateful not only for his guidance and leadership, but also for his assistance in helping them make their homes in Canada.

"We know from our parents and our grandparents the conditions under which we lived in East Africa, the conditions under which we had to flee Africa," said Amir Karim, a Montreal volunteer with the Ismaili Council for Canada.

"And I think we are very thankful to His Highness that 35 years later we are here, we got ourselves a good education, careers, and are, most importantly, contributing back to the society which accepted us."

The spiritual leader of the Ismailis is His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, who became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957, at age 20, following the death of his grandfather.

He's well known beyond his religious community for his wealth and for his good works - the Aga Khan Development Network, or AKDN, a group of private, international and non-denominational agencies, spends more than US$320 million a year on social and cultural development activities, mostly in the poorest regions of Africa and Asia. Among the many honours bestowed on him is honorary companion of the Order of Canada.

The Aga Khan was born in Geneva, spent his early years in Nairobi, was schooled partly in Switzerland and graduated from Harvard University in 1959 after studying Islamic history.

He now resides in France and leads about 15 million Ismailis in about 25 countries, including a vibrant community of between 80,000 and 100,000 in Canada.

Karim said there were two major waves of migration to Canada.

"Idi Amin in Uganda had asked all residents of Indian descent to leave Uganda within a certain number of days. Ismailis had to find new homes, and so a number of them came to Canada in 1972-ish," he said.

"The second big wave of immigration was in the early '90s with the collapse of the Soviet Union. There are many, many Ismailis who live in central Asia, and some of them were fleeing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan."

Eighty to 90 per cent of Muslims are Sunni, while 10 to 20 per cent are Shia, Karim said. Ismailis are Shias, and along with other Shia Muslims believe that after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, authority and leadership of the community was passed to his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, and would continue by heredity though Ali and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.

"What characterizes Ismaili Muslims is that we consider the Aga Khan, the 49th direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, as our Imam, or spiritual leader," Karim explained.

"This is not only a commemoration of 50 years of leadership, but it is also a commemoration or a reminder to ourselves, Ismailis, that this is 1,400 years of history."

Karim said it's part of Ismaili tradition to mark epochal events in the lives of their imams, and a time to reflect on their work.

Reena Lalji, a Toronto lawyer and volunteer with the Ismaili Council for Ontario, agreed.

"A very fundamental ethos of Islam is to give to the less fortunate, to help the less fortunate, to assist with the betterment of the lives of people around you," she said. "And that's what is being accomplished through the AKDN."

Karim noted the importance of compassion and sharing.

"His Highness tells his community to always remember, not to think about 'what have I achieved today?' but 'what have I helped others to achieve?"'

A statement issued by the Aiglemont estate in France, headquarters of the AKDN, said jubilee celebrations "offer occasions to launch new social, cultural and economic development projects."

An event in France marking the jubilee Wednesday will be private, but Karim and Lalji both expressed the hope that the Aga Khan's travels in the coming year will bring him to Canada.

Jason Kenney, secretary of state for multiculturalism and Canadian identity, issued a statement recognizing the golden jubilee and encouraging Canadians to learn more about the Aga Khan's "substantial contributions to international development, and the Canadian community's very impressive achievements."

Last October, the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the federal government and the Aga Khan would each contribute $30 million to a new Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa.

The think-tank and research facility will be housed in the old Canadian War Museum.

The Aga Khan wants "to essentially export the Canadian values of pluralism and tolerance to other countries," Lalji said.

The Aga Khan is also establishing a representative office on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, designed by architect Fumihiko Maki.

In addition, Toronto will be the site of the Aga Khan Museum, and a new Ismaili Centre with classrooms, a library and a prayer hall.

"The museum will contain works from the Aga Khan's family collection, as well as other collections," Lalji said.

The relationship between the federal government and the Aga Khan dates back about 25 years, when the Canadian International Development Agency, or CIDA, became involved with the network.

"I think by building such a strong presence in Ottawa, what His Highness is saying is that this relationship is ready to go to the next level," said Karim.

One last post for today ... Peter Mansbridge interviewed the Aga Khan for the program "Mansbridge One-on-One" some time ago. Here, there was mention of the museum and other Canadaian Aga Khan projects. It might be interesting for some.

Go to: http://www.cbc.ca/mansbridge/ and then select the Aga Khan interview from the column on the right (entitled 'some of our favourite interviews). I believe it is 23 minutes long.

More about pieces headed to Toronto ...

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http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/jul/12/shahnameh_canon_display_islamic_arts_exhibit_london.html

Shahnameh, Canon on display at Islamic arts exhibit in London
Posted July 13th, 2007 by Indian-Muslim

London, July 12, IRNA, An illustrated folio from the Persian epic Shahnameh and an extremely rare copy of Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine are at the centerpiece of Islamic masterpieces on display at a 'Spirit & Life' exhibition, opening in London on Saturday.

The six-week exhibition includes over 165 displays of textiles, exquisite miniatures, rare manuscripts, ceramics, precious pages from the Qur'an, scientific medical texts, books of fables, and tiles.

The manuscript of Shahnameh (or Book of Kings), made for the Safavid ruler of Persia Shah Tahmasb, is decorated with 258 miniatures, attributable to almost all of the major Persian artists of the first half of the 16th century.

It is universally acknowledged as not only one of the finest illustrated manuscripts of any period but also among the greatest works of art in the world.

The poetic opus, which is among UNESCO's list of cultural heritages, was written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, who spent almost 35 years composing the 30,000 couplets that tells the mythical and historical past of Iran up until the advent of Islam.

The Canon of Medicine by Persian physician and philosopher Ibn Sina (Avicenna) is described as the single most influential text in the history of medicine.

Such was its usefulness that from its origins in the early 11th century in western Iran, it was used all over the Middle East and Europe as the standard medical text for a period of five centuries.

The exhibition, which is being held at the Islmaeli Centre, also includes a dervish's begging bowl made in the form of a boat, with a wide band of elegant inscriptions in Persian. It is one of five important Safavid examples from the end of the 16th century.

There is also a slip-decorated pottery dish decorated with interlacing patterns of geometry and calligraphy, which was produced in the eastern Iranian world of the 10th century.

The displays also include three folios from the Akhlaq-i Naseri, a philosophical treatise divided into three discourses, dealing with ethics, social justice and politics, which was written by Persian philosopher Naser al-Din Tousi.

Organisers said that the Islamic masterpieces "underlines that the arts, particularly when they are spiritually inspired, can become a medium of discourse that transcends the barriers of our day-to-day experiences."
They said that many questions are currently being raised in the West about the Muslim world, with countless misconceptions and misunderstandings, and hoped the exhibition to help enlighten the Western intellectuals about treasure of the Islamic civilization.

This is a much better rendering than we had previously. I think this is only a portion of the complex ...

http://www.akdn.org/graphics/uk/ak_museum.jpg

Aga Khan Museum (AKM) (http://www.akdn.org/agency/aktc_museum.html)

Conceived as an educational and cultural entity of international pre-eminence expected to attract scholars and the general public from both sides of the Canadian/United States border, the Museum will be situated in a prime location, close to other important cultural institutions, in the city of Toronto.

It will present and promote knowledge of the diversity and breadth of Islamic art, through permanent and temporary exhibitions, with emphasis on Shia Islam and the Ismaili community in particular. The museum will be dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, display and interpretation of artefacts relating to the intellectual, cultural, artistic and religious traditions of Muslim communities, past and present. Artefacts will include ceramics, metalwork, and paintings covering all periods of Islamic history. Manuscripts in the collection will include the earliest known copy of Avicenna’s Qanun fi’l- Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) dated 1052. It will be the first of its kind in the English-speaking world, and will also include important collections, including those of His Highness the Aga Khan and Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan. Selected items from the collections (http://www.akdn.org/museums/index.html).

A music programme is planned, which will work to expand knowledge of the traditional music of Asia and the Islamic world, as well as their contemporary expression.

The museum will become a repository of historical materials related to the Ismaili community and house research programmes related to each one of the aspects of its institutional mission. It will also provide a space for permanent exchanges between the Islamic and the Western worlds on educational, cultural and socioeconomic issues.

Here is another rendering - of a different area of the complex. Looks like the angles in this portion are meant to 'dialog' with the pyramidal structure in the other area?

http://www.akdn.org/graphics/museum/aga_khan_toronto_museum.jpg

Maki usually places internal court yards in his structures. This portion of the design looks somewhat large, so I'd expect a courtyard within. Would love to see some animation of the entire project, or a series of 360's. Hopefully soon.

This is very exciting! This BBC coverage relates to the exhibit currently touring in London (from where it will go to the Louvre in Paris, followed by Lisbon, and then by 2010 in Toronto at the Aga Khan Museum).

These clips are excellent - I really recommend both to all who are in the slightest interested in the Aga Khan Museum project.

BBC's Newsnight on 7 June 2007
http://www.iis.ac.uk/SiteAssets/video/Newsnight.wmv

BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 10 July 2007
http://www.iis.ac.uk/SiteAssets/video/today_nf_01.mp3

I'm looking forward to this project. Toronto could use as many cultural institutions as it can get. Hopefully we'll get some clearer renderings soon.

From Moriyama and Teshima Architects' web-site news section ...

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http://www.mtarch.com/mtanews.html

Aga Khan Museum Treasures On Display:

From July 14 to August 31, 2007 at The Ismaili Centre in London, England, the Islamic treasures that will be on display in the Aga Khan Museum that will be built in Toronto, Canada are showcased in an exhibit under the title of "Spirit & Life: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection."

Continuing a successful collaboration initiated on the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat project due to open in Ottawa, Canada in 2008, Maki and Associates of Tokyo, Japan (Design Architect) and Moriyama and Teshima Architects (Architect of Record) are creating this world class museum. Also being built on the Wynford Drive site in Toronto is the Ismaili Centre, a collaboration between Charles Correa from India and Moriyama and Teshima Architects, with landscape design for the entire site by Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture from Lebanon along with Moriyama and Teshima Planners.

The opening of the Spirit & Life exhibit coincides with the start of the Aga Khan's Golden Jubilee celebrations which will occur over the next year. Fifty years ago, at the age of 20, the Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

"This exhibition of artistic masterpieces from the Islamic world underlines that the arts, particularly when they are spiritually inspired, can become a medium of discourse that transcends the barriers of our day-to-day experiences and preoccupations," said His Highness the Aga Khan. "Many questions are currently being raised in the West about the Muslim world, with countless misconceptions and misunderstandings occurring between our contemporary societies. I hope that this exhibition will hold a special significance at a time which calls for enlightened encounters amongst faiths and cultures."

Links:
+ Images Of Items In The Spirit & Life Exhibit
+ 2007-07-11 A stunning debut for Toronto-bound Treasures of Islam - Globe and Mail
+ Aga Khan Development Network - Museums

There have been a TON of articles about this exhibit of the permanent collection of the Aga Khan Museum, but this one is special in a different way. Check out how this guy (who is a curator of a museum in malaysia) contrasts London to this exhibit. It is actually quite funny.

Article source (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Columns/20070809075805/Article/index_html)

2007/08/09
Lucien de Guise: A tale of two sides to one sweltering city
By : Lucien de Guise

A RETURN visit to the town of my birth is always a memorable experience. The gateway is still Heathrow Airport, an unpromising start to any holiday. If this is the level of welcome that London offers, it is amazing that more people don’t look at the queue for Channel 3 (non-European Union passport holders) and go for voluntary repatriation.
Even the English have begun to realise what a third-rate introduction to their country this provides. Its main appeal is to long-distance walkers in training.

Once you have made the trip into London, the situation doesn’t always improve.

As soon as the weather picked up recently, which meant going from floods to a heat wave of 30°C overnight, there was a spontaneous shedding of clothes.

A hot weekend after weeks of rain means it is time for the locals to get their kit off. Hectares of wobbly white flesh were exposed, often exacerbated by the use of a bicycle.
The metropolis was turned into what looked like day release for inmates from an institution for the vitamin-D deprived. The shock is greater if you have stepped off a plane from Malaysia, where a different attitude to public semi-nudity is rare and sun worship non-existent among the population.

There was a sanctuary of Malaysian values that weekend, however.

The exhibition "Spirit & Life: Masterpieces of Islamic Art" from the Aga Khan Museum Collection has impressive air-conditioning, sumptuous surroundings and respectably-attired visitors.

Never has it been more obvious how different the British museum-goer is from the sort of person who wears an England football jersey when he has to be dressed, and nothing when the weather warms up a bit.

I can understand why in the UK, Muslims get agitated. They would have been happy at the Ismaili Centre as it was filled with the first type of Briton.

These are people so determined to be respectful, they would put on a three-piece wool suit in a heatwave if they were asked to.

Most conspicuous of all was the number of visitors. Bearing in mind that all this was happening at an Islamic institution, it might come as a surprise to those visitors to Britain who feel a Muslim name is not much of an asset when they present their passport to the immigration officer.

The Ismaili Centre in South Kensington seems to be a reassuring force for the British public.

This is not the norm for an Islamic-art exhibition. Having been to quite a few, I haven’t usually seen much more than the security guards taking an interest.

A lot of people were intrigued by "Spirit and Life" and they were very different from the great unclothed masses of Londoners.

At the same time, the Shia Ismaili hosts are a different cup of chai from the men with big beards from London’s East End who feature so often in the British media. There weren’t many of them at the show.

For those Brits who are not madrassa alumni, there is enough at the exhibition to convince them that they made the right decision. The exhibits are eye-catching and wide ranging, including everything from an eighth-century Quran leaf to 19th-century musical instruments.

There are also a few display innovations, such as a gravestone on a slowly revolving stand.

This is dynamic and at the same time allows you to see how a North African craftsman 1,000 years ago put an older Roman architectural fragment to practical new use. Two cultures for the price of one. This shows the versatility of Muslim craftsmen of the past.

Craftsmen of the present are another feature of the exhibition. Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, has tied up with another royal with an interest in Islamic culture.

Prince Charles’ country house, Highgrove, is famous for its Islamic garden, and The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts was present at the Ismaili Centre with a number of activities to excite visitors.

At most museums, these attractions tend to be reserved for children. As the youth element at "Spirit & Life" was small, artists from the Prince’s School were happy to put on a demonstration for older visitors.

The adults were enraptured by the sight of calligraphers, illuminators and a man with a pair of compasses who did remarkable things using geometry. It all made a pleasant change from the usual view of Shia Islam. Iran and Iraq have been the biggest news source on this subject lately.

It can’t be said that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or mass self-flagellation is an inspirational sight. Ismailis are in a different category, and there could be few more civilised spiritual leaders than the Aga Khan.

In a city that is famed for being just about the most expensive in the world, all this was offered for free. Further good value was provided by top-quality postcards at a mere 20 pence each (RM1.40) and a lovely catalogue with a useful overview of Ismaili history.

The whole venture managed to do an extremely good job of convincing people that Islamic art is something worth seeking out on one of those rare Sundays when London swelters.

Lucien de Guise is curator at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. He can be contacted at luciendeguise@yahoo.com.

Hope they don't use any gold.

Hope they don't use any gold.

:) ...

I think you'll find when looking at architecture sponsored by the institutions of the Aga Khan, there is a lot of focus on the society and spaces wherein the buildings are to be. As an example, this project is providing a somewhat central space to the area, with pathways and meeting places that are meant to be public. It connects to the area, and while meaning to be unique and exemplary, does not overwhelm the spaces. There is also focus on manifesting symbolic elements in a more modern way and not always reverting exclusively to history (not that there is anything wrong with that).

Does that mean there will be or not be gold? Not sure. But certainly it will not be a gold dome framed by two or four minarets ;)

I do expect glass, many facets, stone, water, a variety of garden and public spaces, and an overall plan where walking through the project will reveal variety and pleasant surprises along the way!

Walli when does this project start?

Walli when does this project start?

No one that I know actually knows for certain, other than the latest it would break ground would be July of next year. The reason is that consensus has it that the Aga Khan wants to have the ground-breaking ceremony within his 'golden jubilee' year (July 11/07 - July 11/08). I think all of the details are being held for this.

Now, he would be visiting anytime within this period, but there are a couple of other factors to consider. First is that he may also open the 'Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat' during the same visit - it is currently under construction on Sussex Drive. I think it should be complete early next year - in fact, structurally, I wouldn't be surprised if it is done by end of this year with the inside details being finished over the winter months. The other piece of the puzzle is that the Aga Khan needs to work out a schedule with the Federal Government. I believe he will be coming at their invitation, though certainly, all parties would likely be working very closely with each other. Note that he may also visit more than once, so that increases the options.

It has already been announced publicly that the museum will open in 2010. The selected collection currently touring in Europe has traveled from Italy to England (where it currently is), and over the next few months will move to the Louvre in France, then to Portugal and then to Germany (or is it Germany and then Portugal). Not sure if there are other European stops, but after all that is done, it is supposed to travel through the US. After that, it will end up in Canada - and 2010 aligns with this also.

He's a busy guy ... and people may be asking, who exactly is this "Aga Khan". Here is a recent Vancouver Sun article about him. It might give a flavor of who this guy is. The article also talks about the Aga Khan's Canadian projects.

-----
Jubilee Year for world's Ismailis (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=bc1454a4-0c52-434d-9df2-486335d87ef3&p=1)
Mansoor Ladha, Special to the Sun
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2007

He is a king without a kingdom. His influence, authority and power surpasses leader of any stature. He meets more foreign heads of state, presidents and prime ministers than the president of United States, the most powerful nation on earth.

He is the Aga Khan, the direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the prophet's daughter.

This charismatic and dynamic leader of the Ismailis, a minority sect among the world's 20 million Shia Muslims, ascended to the throne of the Imamat on July 11, 1957, on the demise of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah, or Aga Khan III, at the age of 21 while a student at Harvard University.

The Aga Khan was chosen because his grandfather wanted to be succeeded by "a young man who has been brought up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age and who brings new outlook to life in his office as Imam."

On Wednesday, Ismailis, many of whom have settled in Canada following their expulsion from Uganda by dictator Idi Amin in 1972, celebrate the Aga Khan's 50th anniversary with festivals and religious ceremonies in cities throughout the world, including Vancouver.

The year July 2007-2008 has been declared the Jubilee Year during which new initiatives will be announced as a tribute to the Aga Khan's humanitarian work. This is also the time for the Ismailis to re-dedicate their allegiance to their faith and to their Imam.

In the past 50 years, the Aga Khan Development Network (http://www.akdn.org/)'s contribution to international development in many developing countries is well known. Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, has partnered with AKDN in several countries in projects to eradicate poverty and providing humanitarian assistance.

But the Aga Khan's contribution does not just end with international development and humanitarian aspects. He is also a promoter of education and a lover of architecture.

Perhaps the most monumental project of the Aga Khan's Imamat was the founding of Pakistan's first private university in 1983 -- the Aga Khan University and the Aga Khan University Hospital (http://www.aku.edu/), inaugurated in Karachi in 1985.

The Aga Khan scored another first by founding another of the world's first internationally chartered institution of higher learning in Central Asia. Following the fall of the Soviet Union in that region, the Aga Khan and the governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan signed agreements to establish the University of Central Asia in 1994.

As a great lover of architecture, in 1977 he established the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the world's largest architectural award totalling $500,000 US. The award's objective is to encourage architecture that reflects pluralism that has always characterized Muslim communities. It was established to enhance the understanding and appreciation of Islamic culture.

Apart from giving the award, the Aga Khan has done a great deal to boost Islamic architecture in the United States and elsewhere. The Aga Khan Program in Islamic Architecture at MIT and Harvard has an endowment of $58 million US offering American students fellowships to travel to the Middle East and other Islamic countries to study Muslim architecture.

The Aga Khan has strong ties with Canada. A friend of the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the Aga Khan was one of the pallbearers at his funeral.

Trudeau is reported to have facilitated easy entry into Canada of Aga Khan's followers, the Ismailis, when they were expelled from Uganda. The Aga Khan has several times publicly thanked Canada for its generosity in accepting and opening its doors to Ismailis during the Uganda crisis.

However, the Aga Khan's admiration of Canada goes beyond that. He has described Canada as "a model for the world."

It was, therefore, only natural that the Aga Khan and the feds join hands to establish the Centre for Pluralism (http://www.pluralism.ca/) in Ottawa, in which each of the participants invested $30 million.

The centre is expected to draw from Canada's successful track record of pluralist civil society and working closely with governments, academia and civil society around the world. It will undertake research, deliver programs, facilitate dialogue and work with international partners to build the capacity of individuals, groups, educational institutions and governments to promote indigenous approaches to pluralism in their own countries and communities.

The Aga Khan's faith in Canada is so enormous that he has made this country the headquarters of the world Ismailia community.

In this respect, in 2005 he announced three major Ismaili projects -- the Delegation of Ismaili Imamat, also being built in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, both under construction in Toronto.

The Delegation of Ismaili Imamat will have an ambassadorial role in that it will serve as a representative of the Imamat institutions and its non-denominational, philanthropic and development agencies such as the Aga Khan Development Network.

The Aga Khan Museum will promote Islamic art through exhibitions with special emphasis on Shia Islam but particular emphasis on the Ismaili community.

It will include collections of His Highness the Aga Khan and his late uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. Manuscripts in the collections will include the earliest known copy of Avicenna's Qanun Fi'l-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) dated 1052.

Described as "Prince of the Islamic World," the Aga Khan has made the Ismailis a successful model community, which has been an envy of the world.

Hope they don't use any gold.

You are evil, elliot!

Glad to know a mod thinks it's funny that someone is trying to get a rise out of me.

Maybe you read too much into things, phunky.

Just so that you are clear about it, the fact that I am a mod in
the Canada section does not mean I am going to curl up into a ball
and stop making any comments here.

Reading into things too much. Maybe you should go read the temple topic and come back here and read his fucking comment again.

another phunky-related dispute? .... :cheer:

That.... is entirely up to phunky.

Whatever, this is bullshit. You know that comment was targeted at me.

I don't think it was meant to insult, but in the realm of poking fun. You did get a rough ride on that other forum, so I understand your sensitivity right now. BUT, it was funny.

It's healthy to be able to accept a good humoured wisecrack or playful teasing. Perhaps I am reading it wrong, but do you not see the comedic element in the statement? OK. I'l shut up now.

What is the status of this project? Has the old Bata Shoe office building been demolished yet?
Shame to see it come down, but what a gem of a site.

The Aga Khan just gave an interview in Germany on architecture, where he was also asked about his Canadian projects. I think this will be a very interesting read for all architecture lovers:

http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-310/_nr-450/i.html

Also, there is a brand new book about to be released that looks at the Aga Khan's engagement with architecture, and various 'Aga Khan' projects. It is called, "Under the Eaves of Architecture: The Aga Khan: Builder and Patron" and has a publish date of August 15th, 2007:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Under-Eaves-Architecture-Aga-Khan-Philip-Jodidio/9783791337814-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+'Under+the+Eaves+of+Architecture%3a+The+Aga+Khan%3a+Builder+and+Patron'&sterm=Under+the+Eaves+of+Architecture%3a+The+Aga+Khan%3a+Builder%7cPatron+-+Books

from Amazon:
---
This thematically arranged book displays the full range of the Aga Khan's patronage of architecture.

The Aga Khan is one of the most ardent patrons of architecture and historic preservation in the world. Since inheriting his title as spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, usually known as Ismailis, fifty years ago, he has fostered and commissioned numerous structures and restored a multitude of buildings from North America to East Africa. The prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, first given in 1980, recognizes projects that benefit the Muslim world for their excellence in contemporary design, community improvement and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation. For the first time, this book presents projects from universities and historic restoration programs that bear the Aga Khan's name to religious centers, museums, and development efforts in more than twenty countries. Through the Aga Khan Development Network, the Aga Khan occupies a unique place in the world of architecture and this book reveals the range and breadth of his activities.

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mlm7HBFUL._SS500_.jpg

EDIT: Wanted to mention that the picture on the cover of this book is of an 'Aga Khan' building in Vancouver. When you go to Vancouver, visiting this place is a must - the courtyard and gardens are spectacular.

Whatever, this is bullshit. You know that comment was targeted at me.

Brush it off, it was harmless.

Someone overseas scratchin' his head wondering how and why Londoners let this project go, with Toronto winning the battle ...

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http://desertonfire.blogspot.com/2007/08/brilliant-and-subtly-subversive.html

Saturday, August 11, 2007
A brilliant and subtly subversive exhibition

http://bp1.blogger.com/_nCB1eZG3Zkw/Rr3jemUw-YI/AAAAAAAAAFs/PQ9dlq_ayBU/s1600-h/shanama800.jpg
The Houghton Shahnama, courtesy of the Aga Khan Development Network

You realise just how stupid a decision it was for London to refuse the Aga Khan planning permission to build a museum in the city at the Ismaili Centre's exhibition of artefacts from the Aga Khan's collection, entitled Spirit and Life. It only runs until the end of the month and, as the illustration above suggests, it is superb - and free to see. The items on display range in age from a page from a ninth century Cufic Qu'ran to a quirky twentieth century Sufi hat.

The exhibits - which are beautifully displayed - are quietly controversial. There are the familiar abstract geometric and foliage patterns that have come to epitomise Islamic art. But, to challenge that perception, there are dozens of different representations of the human form, as in the illuminated Shahnama above, many of them from Iran. In London they do not look as extraordinary as perhaps they should.

Further afield in the Islamic world, the sudden appearance of the human form is more arresting.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_nCB1eZG3Zkw/Rr3nsWUw-ZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/wWsW5V9-ig4/s400/IMG_2045.JPG
This picture shows one of the thirteenth century Bayil stones, which I saw in Baku last month. Taken from a nearby castle, they can now be found in the courtyard of the Shirvan Shahs' palace in the wonderful old city. The only other place where I have seen similar depictions of people in Islamic art is at Qasr Amra, in eastern Jordan. There the ceiling frescoes of this eighth century hunting lodge of the Umayyads have been badly damaged - whether by malice or the weather I am not sure - but, as you can see below, the energetic dancing girls painted to amuse the Caliphs can still be made out.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_nCB1eZG3Zkw/Rr3rR2Uw-bI/AAAAAAAAAGE/i6dbBGjhpPA/s400/Qasr+Amra+Jordan.jpg
One connection links all three: all these representations were private art, bought by the seriously wealthy to be enjoyed beyond the general public's gaze. Thanks to the Aga Khan, we can now see many of them for ourselves - and savour their collector's poke in the eye for the petrodollar-fuelled Wahhabi extremists who would like to ban them. What a pity it is for London that the collection will be permanently housed in Toronto.

I can't help but wonder if there was a bit of jiggery-pokery involved in turning them down for permission. I wonder if some elitism was afoot, knowing London.

I can't help but wonder if there was a bit of jiggery-pokery involved in turning them down for permission. I wonder if some elitism was afoot, knowing London.

I'm not sure what jiggery-pokery is, however, I do know that the Aga Khan is a diplomat extraordinaire, and as such, would likely have just moved on without comment. London's decision will likely result in an overly favorable response for something or other in the future, as 'unsaid' restitution for their boneheadedness.

Jiggery-pokery means something a bit "fishy".

This article about the showing of items from the permanent collection of the Aga Khan Museum, includes a video link. It is less than three minutes, but includes pictures and discussion of several objects that are Toronto bound. Very nice!

-----
Source (http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-08-16-voa28.cfm)
Islamic Art Exhibit Big Hit in London
By Suzanne Chislett
London
16 August 2007

Watch Islamic Art Exhibit report / Windows Broadband - download video clip (http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2007_08/Video/wmv/IslamicArt_bb.wmv)

Ten thousand people have already come to see an exhibition featuring Islamic masterpieces at the Ismaili Centre in London. And the exhibition just opened in the middle of July. The collection is a unique preview of 165 works of art from across the Islamic world -- a collection meant to encourage understanding and dialogue. From the British capital, Paul Burge reports.

The "Spirit and Life" is not just an exhibition showing the history of Islamic art. It has a message for its viewers.

Many of the paintings, manuscripts and ceramics show the early overlapping of eastern and western cultures and Muslim and Christian identities.

The artwork spans more than 1,000 years of history from the ninth to the 19th century. The pieces come from a huge geographical area too -- from as far west as Spain, to Indonesia in the Far East.

The exhibition shows how Muslim and Christian cultures exchanged ideas about medicine, education, philosophy, religion and trade over hundreds of years.

Alnoor Merchant is co-curator of the exhibition. "There must have been the exchange of goods, the exchange of craftsmen who were coming from the West to the East. We know of outstanding trade routes between the Middle East and Italy as well"

Advanced knowledge of mathematics and medicine became the hallmark of the Muslim courts between the eighth and 12th centuries.

One example of the overlapping of knowledge between east and west is shown in Samanid court official Ibn Sina's "Canon of Medicine."

Co-curator Alnoor Merchant says the text is an important encyclopedic body of medical knowledge in the Islamic world. It became the standard reference text in the medical schools of Europe until the beginning of modern times. "You have there a very fine example of a scholarship that had originated with the Greek and the ancients which came down through the translations of the Muslim scholars who added to that corpus of knowledge and then it appears back in the West at the time of the Renaissance. And this exhibition reflects a number of objects and works that relate to that transference."

The team behind the "Spirit and Life" exhibition says showing this history of the mixing of Muslim and Christian cultures and identities reinforces the Ismaili Centre's mission -- to encourage understanding and dialogue between eastern and western societies.

Professor Azim Nanji is director of the Ismaili Centre. "It uses art as a common language. It's a shared vocabulary no matter what culture you belong to. And particularly there are items here that show that the West and Muslim world were always in interaction -- and I think that's an important message for our times. "

After the exhibition in London, these Islamic masterpieces will be shown at Ismaili Centres around Europe. Then they will become a key part of the permanent collection at the new Aga Khan museum opening in Toronto, Canada in 2010.

http://www.louvre.fr/llv/exposition/detail_exposition.jsp;jsessionid=GYwlrTZ27TPFvGydXc1Qv5fkFYzCSZGjX4Z02LZy7YbnGD4y1LyG!-1566519682?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198674082323&CURRENT_LLV_EXPO%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198674082323&pageId=1&bmUID=1188606117498&bmLocale=en

http://www.louvre.fr/media/repository/ressources/sources/illustration/autres/x196image_120478_v2_m56577569831185162.jpg

Islamic Art
from 10-05-2007 to 01-07-2008
Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum

As a preview to the opening of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, this exhibition presents a selection of masterpieces, many of which come from Prince Saddrudin Aga Khan’s magnificent collection. Several folios from the most famous 16th-century Iranian manuscript, Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, two wonderfully preserved medieval garments and diverse forms of calligraphy attest to the beauty and breadth of Islamic art from Spain to India.
Curator(s) : Sophie Makariou, chief curator, Department of Islamic Art, Musée du Louvre.

Press Release (French):
http://www.louvre.fr/media/repository/ressources/sources/pdf/src_document_52994_v2_m56577569831185063.pdf

[also mentions accompanying lectures and concerts]

I can't wait til it hits Toronto! So, has this project actually begun yet?

I can't wait til it hits Toronto! So, has this project actually begun yet?

In terms of shovel in the ground, no. As I had mentioned earlier, the big guy (IE the Aga Khan) will be coming for the ground breaking. He is traveling numerous countries on official visits (IE by the invitation of governments) commemorating his 50th anniversary, marking the visits with ground breakings. So far, he has visited Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, where the projects have included:

Kenya
- Hospital expansion & New Health Sciences Faculty, Nairobi US$250M
- New residential campus for the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa US$??

Tanzania
- New university campus, Arusha US$450M
- Expansion of offerings at university, Dar-es-salaam US$??

Uganda
- New campus for the Aga Khan Academy, Kampala US$50M
- New hydroelectric project US$799M

I believe He will be visiting ~35 countries in this fashion - so there are a lot of 'gifts' for a lot of countries!

His next official visit is to Malaysia - He will be presenting the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (which is the largest architectural award in the world).

You can actually follow his trip at www.akdn.org ... at some point, there will be a press release there talking about traveling to Canada. That will be when the shovel hits the dirt in T.O.

Thanks for the info... I cannot wait for this project to start. So, has the old Bata building been demolished?

Not yet..

And AK was here last month and no prelimenary ground breaking was done..

Will fish for more info from my family members (who are Ismailis)..

Will get back to you guys asap.

In the mean time, here is a related tangential item. It is part one of a four part BBC series on the Aga Khan Award for Architecture - includes comments from Lord Norman Foster among others. The process and thought ingrained in these awards should give us a sense of the thoughtfulness and detail we can expect of the Aga Khan Museum project in Toronto. Enjoy!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2znnn_bbc-video-aga-khan-award-for-archit_creation

UrbanSustainability - you'll probably enjoy this very much, given the nature of your work (IE 'sustainable property developers').

walli, do you live in Vancouver? If so, I guess you will be coming here for the opening!

walli, do you live in Vancouver? If so, I guess you will be coming here for the opening!

No - not in Vancouver and not in Toronto either - but lets see what happens.

The Aga Khan just gave an interview in Germany on architecture, where he was also asked about his Canadian projects. I think this will be a very interesting read for all architecture lovers:

http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-310/_nr-450/i.html

Also, there is a brand new book about to be released that looks at the Aga Khan's engagement with architecture, and various 'Aga Khan' projects. It is called, "Under the Eaves of Architecture: The Aga Khan: Builder and Patron" and has a publish date of August 15th, 2007:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Under-Eaves-Architecture-Aga-Khan-Philip-Jodidio/9783791337814-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+'Under+the+Eaves+of+Architecture%3a+The+Aga+Khan%3a+Builder+and+Patron'&sterm=Under+the+Eaves+of+Architecture%3a+The+Aga+Khan%3a+Builder%7cPatron+-+Books

from Amazon:
---
This thematically arranged book displays the full range of the Aga Khan's patronage of architecture.

The Aga Khan is one of the most ardent patrons of architecture and historic preservation in the world. Since inheriting his title as spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, usually known as Ismailis, fifty years ago, he has fostered and commissioned numerous structures and restored a multitude of buildings from North America to East Africa. The prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, first given in 1980, recognizes projects that benefit the Muslim world for their excellence in contemporary design, community improvement and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation. For the first time, this book presents projects from universities and historic restoration programs that bear the Aga Khan's name to religious centers, museums, and development efforts in more than twenty countries. Through the Aga Khan Development Network, the Aga Khan occupies a unique place in the world of architecture and this book reveals the range and breadth of his activities.

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mlm7HBFUL._SS500_.jpg

EDIT: Wanted to mention that the picture on the cover of this book is of an 'Aga Khan' building in Vancouver. When you go to Vancouver, visiting this place is a must - the courtyard and gardens are spectacular.

I just picked up this book, and was surprised to see several renderings of the Aga Khan Museum, Ismaili Centre and Public Gardens. There are site plans, and several perspective drawings. There are also a few of the interior! Awesome!

I do recommend this book for people interested in such architecture - excellent!

I was reading the book I mentioned in the prior post, and it actually contains some excellent descriptions of the buildings and spaces also. They are quite complicated structures, and will be wonderful to explore when open!

While there are 21 images of this project in the book, I've provided low resolution versions of three pictures.

Site plan
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/icakmsiteplan-0.jpg?rev=0

Ismaili Centre
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/torontoismailicentre-0.jpg?rev=0

Aga Khan Museum in dialogue with the Ismaili Centre
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/preview_structuraldialogue0.jpg?rev=0

Some interesting tid-bits that caught my eye from the book:


The Ismaili Centre is really a multi-purpose building containing numerous elements, and not just a prayer hall
The prayer hall is circular, and is covered by what will appear almost as a massive crystalline tent bringing in vast amounts of light. It will be two layers of frosted glass sandwiching a delicate steel fabric - so while being varying flat surfaces from the outside, will be like complex facets of a diamond form the inside, or like fractal geometry. A contemporary reinvention of traditional corbelling in Islamic structures. It will glow at night, and will be clearly visible from the DVP.
The AKM will primarily be clad in opaque and translucent marble, and has been inspired by "forms and shapes of precious stones"
The AKM has four primary functions: Museum, auditorium, educational and multi-purpose, and all of these are built around a central courtyard. The building has been built around the theme of light, and many details are included to allow maximum light inside (save where it needs to be controlled for artifacts).
The AKM auditorium will be spectacular, and will be located within a metallic dome, meant to dialogue with the crystalline dome in the Ismaili Centre
The gardens, in particular, are very complex, and water features have been constructed in very thoughtful ways, as to be interesting in all seasons, including winter.


There is much more, but I'll leave it to you to read in the book, and to see the renders - including a number of the inside.

I am very much liking the materials and their creative uses. glass, steel, some exposed concrete, varying types of marble, etc.

I hear that demolition work has started on the Bata building, with the insides being currently worked on.

walli, do you live in Vancouver?

Calgary.

I am grateful you take the time to update us on this important project, walli!

Could anyone tell me where this is exactly? I know the area, but I don't understand where it could go and be seen so well from the DVP.

Northwest corner of Lawrence and DVP, old Bata office location.

I went to school right there, and the northwest corner of DVP and lawrence is residential and ravine. I'm not sure what old office building you're referring to...

The site is actually quite extensive. Not only the large Bata lot (which is huge on the North side), but also the large vacant lot to the East. Bordered by Wynford Drive, the DVP and Eglinton.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=toronto,+on&ie=UTF8&ll=43.724374,-79.331567&spn=0.004381,0.007811&t=h&z=17&om=1

OOOps I said Lawrence, didn't I ?:nuts:

Yea, you said Lawrence, but I looked it up on my own last night and I think thats a great location.

Apollo Magazine has named the Aga Khan as their personality of the year. Their December issue talks about his contributions to art & architecture (among other things) and talks specifically about the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. The following link goes to a pdf of the article:

http://ismailimail.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/aga-khan-our-personality-of-the-year-apollo-december-2007.pdf
(http://ismailimail.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/aga-khan-our-personality-of-the-year-apollo-december-2007.pdf)

thanks walli!! I wish he would make a part time residence in our city! That would be cool... can you imagine the penthouse that he would buy?

The demolition gang is on the scene.

Was on the DVP yesterday and the Bata building is being demolished quickly.

Aga Khan's cultural centre crown jewel for Don Mills


Apr 02, 2008 04:30 AM
Christopher Hume
Urban Affairs Columnist

Perhaps the Aga Khan knows something we don't. Why else would the spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims have chosen a 7-hectare site near Don Mills and Eglinton to build his $200 million community centre/cultural campus?

Most Torontonians would have dismissed that location without a second thought; after all Wynford Dr., where the old Bata and Shell corporate sites were located, is more a drive-by corner than a destination.

But once the transformation is complete, sometime around 2011, it will be a full-fledged international destination, a place for all.

The three-part project consists of a museum and a community/religious centre surrounded by gardens. Though work won't begin until later this year, drawings show a complex of rare beauty that, even more amazing, is rendered in the language of contemporary architecture. Unlike most such religious/culture centres that have appeared recently in these parts, this one looks to the future, not the past.

The designer of the museum, intended to house the Aga Khan's exquisite collection of Islamic art and artifacts, is none other than acclaimed Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki. The Pritzker Prize winner has conceived a state-of-the-art facility clad in white stone and set off by a dome—like metal structure on the roof. Inside, there will be a 350-seat theatre as well as all the usual features – library, café, restaurant and storage.

It sits north of the centre by Charles Correa, another celebrated architect, in this case from Mumbai. A modernist known for his sensitivity to local conditions, Correa has contributed a low-slung building also highlighted by a multi-faceted dome rendered in glass. The centre will contain the meeting rooms and various spaces. The jamatkhana, or prayer room, is the sacred part of the complex; it will be a simple, unadorned area lit by the dome above. Clad in limestone, this large rambling structure reads like a geological feature, part of the landscape; it's the largest element on site.

In between and all around will be a series of gardens, ponds, fountains and rows of trees that can be expected to erase all signs of suburbia. Designed by Vladimir Djurovic of Lebanon, this green space takes its inspiration from the traditional Islamic idea of the garden as a place of quiet contemplation and enclosed beauty. It must also serve to block out the nearby parkway and off-ramp, the major arterials and the whole apparatus of a postwar car-based city.

Interestingly, the Aga Khan, who signs off on all plans, was strongly in favour of the gardens – and underground parking for 750 cars. His Highness was concerned about what kind of image the centre will send to the population at large. He wanted non-Ismailis to feel as welcome as possible, and also to be confronted with the sheer beauty of the complex.

Given the number of surface lots in Toronto, one might think we love them, but thankfully the Aga Khan doesn't. Though his demand will raise the cost of the project, that's a price he's willing to pay.

For this, and everything else, we should be eternally grateful. It is revealing that the Aga Khan and his foundation treat this city with more respect than most developers who work here. Not only did Toronto win the museum over London, England, the plan will empower three important architects to help transform Toronto.

The Aga Khan is also hard at work in Ottawa, converting the old War Museum of Sussex Dr. into the Global Centre for Pluralism. There's another Ismaili centre, also designed by Maki, under construction in the embassy district.

Too often the subtext of the diversity debate focuses on what Canada can do for immigrants. This time, it's about how much they can do for Canada – and Toronto.


Christopher Hume writes on urban development, To reach him, email chume@thestar.ca

source: http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/408998
------------------------------

The title of this thread should change as it's not in downtown.

Beat me to it! I was going to post this! There was another article the other day, as well, in one of the other papers. This project is THRILLING!

Although, I'm usually in favour of the great projects going to downtown Toronto, it's important that the entire city share in such developments. If downtown gets everything, the disparity between the core and the outlying areas will widen. It will take decades before some of these areas even approach the level of dynamism that the core has attained, but you have to start somewhere.

This museum is a good start.

Can't help but still wish it had been downtown, though... :(
what a feather in the cap that would have been; especially
on the waterfront. Tourists are more likely to go to things if they are close to their hotel.

any news on this one?

any news on this one?

Yeah ...

According to the Globe and Mail, construction starts next month (IE May):

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/lisa-rochon/honouring-a-revered-canadian-architect/article1537019/
"Moriyama + Teshima are also architects of record on three major new buildings commissioned by the Aga Khan, including his Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Museum, both designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, and the Ismaili Centre by Charles Correa of India. (The latter two Toronto projects start construction next month.)"

Also ...

There is a selection of the collection (over 200 items from the collection of over 1,000 items) currently on display in Berlin. A few sample articles:

Guardian UK (is a gallary) (http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2010/mar/16/aga-kahn-islamic-art-exhibition?picture=360485802)
Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/03/16/entertainment-eu-germany-islamic-treasures_7439232.html?boxes=financechannelAP)
Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aD9Alf2XWzy8)
Video report 1 (http://www.stern.de/kultur/kunst/ausstellung-in-berlin-der-kunst-harem-des-aga-khan-1551860.html)
Video report 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04ZYZRukB-A)
Message from President at Berlin opening (http://www.bundespraesident.de/Reden-und-Interviews-,11057.662751/Staunen-ueber-die-Kunst-des-an.htm?global.back=/-%2c11057%2c0/Reden-und-Interviews.htm%3flink%3dbpr_liste)

This is one of the items that I had not read about in prior exhibitions ...
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/3/16/1268753481465/17th-century-Mughal-drago-020.jpg

A few renderings - ISC, Gardens and AKM ...

Theatre in the museum is pretty cool - modern take on traditional Islamic geometric patterns. Materials looks interesting also - some of the more close-up renders provide a better feel for textures and subtleties. I think it is also pretty cool that the extensive parking lot has been put underground such as to provide the diverse gardens, which are like nothing else in the city.

[I had provided links to many of these, and there are actually many more, however I think many may not have seen these]

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/10-1.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/12-1.jpg http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/18-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/17-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/8-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/11-1.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/7-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/13-1.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/1-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/16-1.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/9-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/14-1.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/15-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/3-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/4-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/5-0.jpg http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/2-0.jpg

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/1/a/8/43088/6-0.jpg

I wish he would make a part time residence in our city! That would be cool... can you imagine the penthouse that he would buy?

Ironically, he now has a residence in Ottawa right on Sussex Drive. See:
http://communities.canada.com/OTTAWACITIZEN/blogs/designingottawa/archive/2010/03/27/images-of-the-delegation-of-the-ismaili-imamat.aspx

Okay, so it is more than just his residence - but does incorporate his official residence in Canada.

The landscaping is beautiful but I'm a little disappointed with the building itself. I'll wait to see further renders.

This is going where the Bata building used to be?

The landscaping is beautiful but I'm a little disappointed with the building itself. I'll wait to see further renders.

There is more than one building - and my view of it is that the buildings are reflective of each other and almost in a dialogue. Looks like they were will using different and complimentary materials also. Glass peak in the Ismaili centre and a metalic peak in the museum, etc. With work of all three of these international calibre architects, the details are where the quality comes out. Will be very nice to see additional renders - I suspect some might be revealed when they have the stone laying ceremony (though I do not know that for certain).

This is going where the Bata building used to be?

The Ismaili Centre will be where the Bata building was. That is the one in the first couple of images.

Podcast about the Aga Khan Museum (which will be on the DVP side of the overall site). Click image:

http://www.akdn.org/assets/3/1112.jpg (http://www.akdn.org/podcasts.asp?id=878)

Description:
"The Aga Khan Museum, which will open in Toronto, Canada in 2013, will house collections of approximately 1000 items of Islamic art collected by His Highness the Aga Khan and members of his family over the last two decades."

Runs 10 minutes & 40 seconds. Click the download button (87MB).

There is more than one building - and my view of it is that the buildings are reflective of each other and almost in a dialogue. Looks like they were will using different and complimentary materials also. Glass peak in the Ismaili centre and a metalic peak in the museum, etc. With work of all three of these international calibre architects, the details are where the quality comes out. Will be very nice to see additional renders - I suspect some might be revealed when they have the stone laying ceremony (though I do not know that for certain).

Thanks for your insights. Eager to see more renders. I think this project is very good for the city.

^Although the location is crappy. I think more non-Muslims would visit the place if it was downtown.

any updates on this project?

any updates on this project?

Construction work started late April and a lot of earth already having been moved. Initial work is also to prep for a foundation stone ceremony in late May, which likely will include the construction of a large temporary structure wherein the said ceremony will take place.

Thank you very much for that update!! :)

^Although the location is crappy. I think more non-Muslims would visit the place if it was downtown.People keep saying they wish it had been downtown, but is there really a location downtown with enough space for all the grounds? It seems the landscaping is a major component of the design.

Of course we're all for getting great additions to our downtown, but it's important that the entire city share in Toronto's growth and development. If everything went downtown, we'd end up with a fabulous downtown ringed by a whole lot of nothing.

I'd love to have this cultural asset downtown, but it's about time some of the outlying areas got that much needed boost. Absolute World went to Mississauga, Emerald Park is going to North York, and this to Don Mills. They have a lot of work to do, but these areas need to start somewhere.

Put the Aga Khan Museum where it is, then put something else great near it, then something else, and so on. Before you know it, this area will become a destination and a more appealing place to live and work.

I was thinking more along the line of it being a generally accessible tourist attraction, that's all. I guess I should have mentioned that. Tourists tend to stay downtown and like attractions that are simple to access.

My understanding is that the large temporary structure and prep for the foundation stone ceremony will need to be in advanced stages by late this week. If there are any updates on how that is going, would be interested in learning. I'm curious how they do this as the foundation stones for the two buildings would likely be on the two ends of the large expanse of land.

<photos have been removed from flickr>

It is good to see construction taking place on the site in preparation for the foundation stone ceremony.

The Ontario Science Centre is close by at the corner of Eglinton and Don Mills. The two together will make a good tourist destination.

<photos have been removed from flickr>

New article on the AKM collection and the museum itself, just posted on TheIsmaili.org (http://theIsmaili.org/).

Below is an excerpt talking about the building. Click the link (http://www.theismaili.org/cms/999/) to read the rest of the article, which speaks more about the fantastic collection that will be housed in Toronto upon construction completion.

Excerpt from AKM Collection reflects pluralism of the Muslim world (http://www.theismaili.org/cms/999/):
The Collection will ultimately find its permanent home at the Aga Khan Museum being established in Toronto. The first museum of its kind in North America, it has specifically been designed to showcase the art of the Muslim world. Its foundation ceremony is expected to take place at the end of May.

At the opening of The Path of Princes exhibition at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon on 13 March 2008, Prince Amyn expressed his aspirations for the Museum: “The Aga Khan Museum will help visitors to look on other human beings in other parts of the world with more comprehension. Ideally, a museum should allow those who view its collections to increase their knowledge. Every increase in knowledge increases one’s understanding.”

Toronto — and indeed North America — has become home to a growing Muslim community, whose diversity is reflective of the broad plurality of traditions, interpretations and cultures that constitute the ummah. The cosmopolitan ethic of Toronto and Canada’s pluralist values provide a suitable backdrop for the new Museum and its Collection.

Like the caravans that criss-crossed the Silk Road centuries ago, museums and their collections have become crucibles of cross-cultural dialogue that can create greater understanding among peoples. In showcasing the artefacts of the Muslim world, the Aga Khan Museum will foster a greater appreciation of our collective human heritage and shared history.

Thanks for keeping us up to date on this exciting project!!

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/05/24/14064286.html
Gift from the Aga Khan

By JENNY YUEN, Toronto Sun
Last Updated: May 24, 2010 7:39pm

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims, will put a shovel in the ground Friday, marking the start of construction of a $300-million development in the Don Mills Rd.-Eglinton Ave. area.

Plans call for the building of a museum named after the Aga Khan, an Ismaili Centre and the creation of a park. The massive project is slated for completion by 2013.

“These projects represent a major investment by His Highness in this country’s cultural fabric and are a reflection of the Aga Khan’s commitment to Canada, which serves as a beacon to the rest of the world for its commitment to pluralism and its support for the multicultural richness and diversity of its peoples,” said Farid Damji, of the Ismaili Council for Canada.

The Aga Khan Museum — announced in 2002 — will be built on a 7-hectare site on Wynford Dr. and is the first of its kind in the English speaking world. The 10,000-square-metre structure will house collections of Islamic art, including ceramics, metal work and paintings covering a 1,000-year period of Islamic history. The design was done by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki.

The second part of the project is the Ismaili Centre — a community centre that includes a place of prayer, library, youth lounge and public spaces for cultural activities. It will be located on the same spot as the museum and is designed by Indian architect Charles Correa.

The park on Wynford Dr. has been designed by award-winning Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. It will surround the museum and project a sense of a traditional Islamic garden.

“I’m excited this is happening because (the Aga Khan) is one of the few Muslim leaders who have reconciled with modernity,” said Tarek Fatah, author and founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress. “He offers a very clear alternative to the Islamism that is being spread by Jihadis. (People in the GTA) will get a view of Muslims and Islam without looking through the prism of Saudi or Iranian-tainted politics.”

The Ismaili Centre Toronto is the second in Canada — the other was built in 1985 in Burnaby, B.C. and opened by prime minister Brian Mulroney in the presence of the Aga Khan. Other Ismaili Centres have been built in London, Lisbon, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Dushanbe.

Toronto was picked as the site of the museum because of the city’s cultural diversity.

Nearly 100,000 Ismailis are settled throughout Canada — more than 30,000 of them live in Toronto.

jenny.yuen@sunmedia.ca

He is a very forward-thinking man. I hope he invests much more into our city.

Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic

Now, i've heard everything:D

Media advisory - Aga Khan to launch new institutions in Toronto, Canada (http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2010/26/c6871.html)

Foundation Ceremony for the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and Park to take place in Toronto, Friday

TORONTO, May 26 /CNW Telbec/ - On Friday, May 28, 2010, His Highness the Aga Khan will participate in the Foundation Ceremony to mark the beginning of the development of the Ismaili Centre, the first-ever Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture, and their Park, in Toronto's Don Mills area.

The development of these projects, an initiative of His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, seeks to foster knowledge and understanding both within Muslim societies and between these societies and other cultures. The Aga Khan Museum and its collection reflect the plurality of the Muslim world, while the adjacent Ismaili Centre will create spaces for interaction and dialogue. Together, they will offer platforms for the search for mutual understanding among all communities and cultures.

Situated on a 6.8 hectare site along a major artery of Toronto, the Don Valley Parkway, the buildings and park represent the Aga Khan's commitment to Canada and appreciation for the country's adherence to pluralism and cultural diversity.

WHAT: Foundation Ceremony for the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan
Museum, and Park - invitation only event

WHEN: Friday, May 28, 2010 at 1:30pm (media are required to be in
position no later than 12:30 pm)

WHERE: 49 Wynford Drive

The Projects
------------

Designed by renowned architect Charles Correa, the Ismaili Centre, Toronto will be the newest addition to a network of Ismaili Centres worldwide, and will be the second in Canada after the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby which opened in 1985. The Centres are representational buildings for the Ismaili Muslim community, and will include a place of prayer, library and spaces for cultural activities. The Centre will host an active series of programming to engage a variety of stakeholders in dialogue, learning, and bridge-building. This is Correa's first commission in Canada.

The Aga Khan Museum, devoted to Islamic art, is an educational institution showcasing the intellectual, cultural, artistic and religious heritage of Muslim civilizations with their historic, cultural and geographic diversity. The Aga Khan Museum has been designed by the award-winning Japanese architect, Fumihiko Maki, who also designed the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.

The two projects will be united by a new landscaped park, designed by Lebanese landscape architect, Vladimir Djurovic. The park will incorporate the Islamic "chaar bhag" or formal garden, and will include reflecting pools, walkways, and four-season components suited to the climate of Toronto. The Park will be open to the public and is intended to be a place of tranquility and contemplation.

For more information please visit:

www.akdn.org (http://www.akdn.org) for information on the Aga Khan Development Network
www.TheIsmaili.org/ismailicentres (http://www.TheIsmaili.org/ismailicentres) for information on the Ismaili Centres
www.akdn.org/museum (http://www.akdn.org/museum) for information on the Aga Khan Museum

Media resources including background information and visuals will be made available upon request.

Media are required to register for this event in advance at Jennifer@akfc.ca . Media accredited with the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery will have access to the event. Non-gallery members must send a letter of assignment to Jennifer@akfc.ca. As space is limited, we apologize in advance for not being able to accommodate all requests.

Note that media parking on site is limited. Broadcast media planning live coverage can forward requests to the contacts below.

Registered media are required to arrive by the Wynford Drive entrance
no later than 12:30 pm.

For further information: Amyn Sayani, Aga Khan Council for Canada, (416) 893-1724, amyn.sayani@rogers.com; Laurie Peters, Aga Khan Foundation Canada, (613) 237-2532 ext 120, laurie@akfc.ca

See: http://www.akdn.org/museum/

Looks like the AKM has a new micro-site. It includes several sub-categories and a good amount of resources. Additionally, it talks about collections, research and programs of the museum. The collections section is huge, with details on many, many pieces, including ones that have not been shared at prior exhibitions.

Apparently the next exhibition is in Istanbul.

AKM project brief - http://www.akdn.org/museum/catalogues/akm_project_brief.pdf

Should the status on this thread be changed from 'proposed' given prep construction has been underway since late April and a ceremonial foundation stone ceremony is to be held in 48 hours?

Article from TheIsmaili.org web-site

New chapter in Canadian Ismaili story set to unfold in the Don Mills neighbourhood of Toronto
http://www.theismaili.org/assets/7/3478.jpg
An aerial view of the Don Mills neighbourhood, looking towards the future site of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their park. The Foundation Ceremony for the three projects is due to take place on 28 May. Photo: Moez Visram

The Toronto neighbourhood of Don Mills is one of the city’s most diverse neighbourhoods — indeed, it is counted among the most diverse in Canada.

“This is a very unique place,” says Mohamed Dhanani. “It’s incredible to see families and communities from so many parts of the world come together here.” People from a range of ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds call the neighbourhood home. A microcosm of Toronto and Canada’s multiculturalism, it is a place where dozens of languages are spoken, and people from all walks of life live and work together.

Access to affordable housing, the close proximity to the Don Valley Parkway (the major north-south highway that snakes its way through the middle of the city) and the cultural ties that new migrants find in the neighbourhood, make the area a sort of “gateway for new Canadians,” explains Dhanani, a Toronto resident since the late 1980s.
Ismaili roots in Canada
http://www.theismaili.org/assets/7/3477.jpg
Some of the first Ismaili immigrants to Canada settled in apartment buildings like these ones, along Thorncliffe Park Drive. Photo: Moez Visram

Over the decades, Don Mills has opened its welcoming arms and helped many new immigrants to make Canada their home — including Ismaili Muslims.

“This is the area — the Don Mills and Flemingdon Park area — where a significant number of Ismailis coming to Canada in the early 1970s settled,” says Nizar Sultan, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ismaili Council for Canada. “This is also the area where the first [Ismaili] Council for Eastern Canada offices were established.” For several years now it has also been home to the Ismaili Council for Canada.

Ismailis live throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Jamats can also be found in significant numbers in major cities and small towns across the country. Many who are former residents of Don Mills still feel a strong connection to the area. The roots they created here when they first moved to Canada run deep.

“I didn’t realise it while I was there, but I learnt so much from that place growing up,” recalls Fhareen Jamal-Esmail. “I left the area to go to the University of Toronto, and that’s when I saw how much exposure I had had to different cultures that other people don’t normally have. It’s something I will pass on to my kids too.”
http://www.theismaili.org/assets/7/3480.jpg
Members of the Thorncliffe Jamat gather at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute for mehndi and celebrations during the commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee. Photo: Moez Visram

All through grade school, Jamal-Esmail lived in the Thorncliffe neighbourhood and was exposed to the different traditions and languages of her friends, while also sharing her own.

“When we would hear about racial or religious clashes elsewhere, it didn’t make sense to me and my friends. Where we lived everyone got along. Everything was focused on the community. We thought it was normal to know so much about different cultures,” she says.

Jamal-Esmail has fond memories of her childhood and is grateful for the experience: “We talk of Canadian values such as social acceptance and the ability for people to keep their values and traditions from their home countries, instead of turning into a melting pot — Don Mills exemplifies this perfectly.”
Welcoming and inclusive neighbourhood
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Volunteers from the Ismaili community and the Islamic Society of Toronto with Rev Helena-Rose Houldcroft, Director of the Flemingdon Park Ministry, at the food bank. Photo: Moez Visram

Neighbourhood residents come together willingly, and are always ready to help those in need. Some 80 per cent of the food bank’s recipients come from ethnic communities — including Muslims. The local Flemingdon Park Food Bank receives generous support from donors and volunteers, many of whom are also Muslim. “It’s all about looking after your neighbour – immediate and long-range neighbour”, says Abdulsultan Madhani, a volunteer social worker and Board Member of the Flemingdon Food Bank.

In fact, the riding of Don Valley West has one of the highest proportions of Muslims in Canada. According to 2001 census data, almost 14 per cent of residents claimed Islam as their faith, but a local neighbourhood association says that figure has since more than doubled. Over the past three decades, the area has been favoured by many Muslims settling in Toronto, and holds the distinction of having elected the first Muslim politician in Canada, former Ontario MPP Murad Velshi.
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Ismaili Seniors from the Don Mills area take part in an exercise programme at a local Jamatkhana. Photo: Moez Visram

“This is really a unique riding,” says Dhanani. “There are stark differences in people’s realities. When you drive five minutes in any direction, you find something new.”

With a mixture of lower-end rental apartments, new high-rise condominiums, industrial buildings, offices, retail shops, lush greenery and large wide open spaces waiting to be developed, the area is envisioned becoming a prime location, where people can live, work and play, all the same area.
Laying foundations — fostering pluralism

And soon, an important step will be taken along the journey towards that vision.
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An aerial view of the Wynford Drive site, which is being developed into a park where the Ismaili Centre, Toronto and the Aga Khan Museum will be situated. The site is clearly visible from the adjacent Don Valley Parkway thoroughfare. Photo: Courtesy of Imara Wynford Drive

On 28 May, Mawlana Hazar Imam will lay the foundation for an important new development that will include a museum of Muslim culture and a centre for religious gathering and cultural outreach, all of which will be surrounded by a large landscaped park. The two buildings, which have been designed by architects of international renown, will be situated within a 17-acre plot along Wynford Drive.

The Aga Khan Museum will be a museum of Muslim culture that will seek to address the gap of knowledge about Islam and create opportunities for dialogue and understanding between peoples and cultures. The first of its kind in North America, it will bring together visitors locally and internationally, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to explore their connected heritage and celebrate their unique backgrounds.

Standing tall next to the Museum, the Ismaili Centre, Toronto will be a new representational building for the Ismaili Muslim community, and a place for spiritual contemplation and reflection. The sixth such centre in the world, and the second to be situated in Canada, it will be part of a global network of Ismaili Centres found in London, Burnaby, Lisbon, Dubai and Dushanbe. Architecturally unique, each one incorporates spaces for social and cultural gatherings, hosts intellectual engagements and serves as an ambassadorial hub, while representing a balance between faith and modern life.
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Following an Olympic Truce dialogue hosted at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, Presidents Mohamed Manji and Samira Alibhai, of the Ismaili Councils for Canada and British Columbia, present a gift — the Bismillah Raven by Sherazad Jamal — to the Governor General. The gift represents a multiplicity of expressions and the coming together of two cultures. Photo: Aziz Ladha

The Ismaili Centre, Burnaby for example, was the venue of an Olympic Truce Dialogue led by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada in the run-up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. In November, the 2009 Lisbon Forum — an annual event of the North-South Centre that was organised in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Aga Khan Development Network — took place at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon. The focus of the gathering was the “creation of a culture of human rights through education.” Similarly, the Centre in Toronto will also be a place of friendship, gathering and exchange that will bridge cultures, build on common values and enhance relationships among faith communities, government and civil society.
A new and important chapter

“These projects are going to be a catalyst for change,” according to Dhanani. “It’s really going to become a destination to visit the park and see the architecture and the museum. It’s going to bring some much needed exposure to the area.”
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A view of Don Mills Jamatkhana from Overlea Boulevard. Photo: Moez Visram

Having been established in the Don Mills neighbourhood of Toronto since Ismailis first arrived in Canada some four decades ago, the Jamat will have a space to celebrate and share its own unique background, with the wider community who have become family. The Centre will be a symbol of the permanence of the Ismaili community as part of the Canadian fabric.

Jamal-Esmail looks forward to the day when the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and the Park open their doors. “There is a lot of opportunity here,” she says, “for students, for everyone, to gain a different perspective. What is Islam, how do Muslims give it expression in everyday life?”

And in many ways, that is what these projects represent. The history of Don Mills and that of the Canadian Ismaili community are tightly bound, and the foundation ceremony along Wynford Drive this week represents a new and important chapter.

Should the status on this thread be changed from 'proposed' given prep construction has been underway since late April and a ceremonial foundation stone ceremony is to be held in 48 hours?

Approved would be more accurate. The title should also say Don Mills. This isn't going to go downtown like it says.

Hume: New Ismaili complex will enrich Toronto
Published On Fri May 28 2010

By Christopher Hume Urban Issues, Architecture

Of all the gifts ever given to Toronto, none is more beautiful than the Aga Khan’s.

The spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims came to town Friday to break ground on a remarkable project that will include a museum of Islamic art and an Ismaili Centre, both set in an exquisite seven-hectare park. Created by some of the world’s most sought-after designers, the complex and its contents will bring new depth to Toronto’s artistic life and its vaunted multiculturalism.

Most amazing of all, perhaps, the centre is at Eglinton Ave. and Wynford Dr., a part of the city best known for its dreary anonymity. By the time construction is finished in 2013, however, this will have changed completely. Intended for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the $300 million Wynford complex will help shift the centre of urban gravity farther north than we have seen before in Toronto.

Designed by eminent Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, the museum is likely to be the most public aspect of the complex. Demonstrating tremendous restraint in an age of architectural spectacle, this is a building intended for contemplation. The idea, the Aga Khan explained at Friday’s ceremonial gathering, is that of light. The building, he pointed out, will be “lit by the sun and the moon.”

Though respectful of the artifacts it will display, the museum will also be a flexible, up-to-date facility that meets international conservation standards. Simple, logical, elegant and unpretentious, it is organized around a central courtyard. In this sense, it makes subtle reference to traditional Islamic architecture.

By contrast, the Ismaili Centre seeks to create quiet spaces more appropriate for prayer and spirituality than exhibition-going. The designer, influential Indian architect Charles Correa, is probably most recognized for his efforts to adapt Modernism to non-Western contexts. Based in Mumbai, he has produced a building that is actually a series of structures that house a library, social and prayer halls, classrooms and an entrance foyer. Extensive use of glass, including a glazed dome, will ensure natural light throughout.

Situated in a surprisingly large park, the museum and centre will be part of something much bigger than either building. Designed by Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic, it will connect the two buildings in a expanse of gardens, trees, pools and fountains. As Djurovic puts it, the intention is to “capture the essence of the Islamic garden and translate it into an expression that reflects its context and the contemporary age.”

As much as anything, the choice of Toronto, if not Wynford Dr., represents a true act of faith — in this city. Since the 1970s, Canada has been home to tens of thousands of Ismailis, more than 28,000 of them in Toronto.

Already, Ismailis have built landmarks in Burnaby, B.C., and Ottawa. What distinguishes the Toronto scheme is the museum, which will contain Islamic art and artifacts dating back 1,400 years. Drawn from the collection of the Aga Khan and his family, they range from manuscripts and miniatures to metalwork and textiles.

The intention, the Aga Khan noted, is to illustrate the “plurality of Islam,” something about which North Americans could always stand to be reminded. As he also said, he hopes the museum will address the “clash of ignorances” so characteristic of our time.

As optimistic as that might sound, there can be no doubt the Wynford complex will marshal the considerable powers of art, architecture and landscape in a way not seen before in Toronto. Considered simply as an act of city-building, it is unprecedented. Who else would have undertaken so ambitious a project?

But if anyone can pull it off, the Aga can.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/816175--hume-new-ismaili-complex-will-enrich-toronto?bn=1

I ca't wait for this building to be opened, and I'll be sure to be among the first in line, but I'm still not sold on the location. The landscaping around this Museum looks beautiful, and is something that perhaps couldn't be done of it was located downtown, but I would have still preferred it if the structure was located somewhere around the area of the ROM, AGO, Bata, and Gardner. In Vienna they have the wonderful Museum quarter, which is an area that houses most of the city's major cultural institutions within a short walk of each other; I found it incredibly convenient as well as lively (and beautiful).

If they are breaking ground, then I will call it Under Construction! :carrot:



http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/the-aga-khans-world-view/article1585398/

Interview
The Aga Khan’s world view

‘I’d like to see Canada more vigorous,’ he says in a Globe interview covering everything from Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan to the importance of pluralist societies



Globe and Mail Update Published on Friday, May. 28, 2010 10:32PM EDT Last updated on Saturday, May. 29, 2010 10:49AM EDT

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims and renowned philanthropist, spoke to The Globe and Mail Friday in a conversation that ranged from the prospects for Afghanistan to his profound admiration of Canadian pluralism.

On the day he received honorary Canadian citizenship, the Aga Khan urged the West to remain in Afghanistan for as long as necessary to achieve stability, and said he hoped Canada would continue to provide development aid after its military commitment expires in 2011. He offered one criticism of NATO’s plan, however, saying efforts should be concentrated on professionalizing the Afghan police, rather than the Afghan army, where NATO has focused its training.

The Aga Khan, who traces his ancestry directly to the prophet Muhammad, is seen as one of the Muslim leaders most closely engaged with the West. His foundation carries out development work in areas such as education and health care in Africa and Central Asia.

The following is a full transcript of that conversation.

Globe and Mail editor-in-chief John Stackhouse: I interviewed you, if you’ll recall, in 2002, and I was reading through the interview and thinking how the world has changed since 2002. That was when you made some very interesting comments about Canadian pluralism, and you referred to Canada as a model for the world. We wanted to start by asking how Canada, well the world, changed. The BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and China]countries are more influential. I don’t think anyone knew the term “BRIC” in 2002. The world has different models, perhaps, than in 2002 and I’m curious how you see Canada’s place in the world being different today than then and how the world has changed as well.

Well, I think one of the key issues is this question of the future, regionalism. I think we’re seeing regionalism becoming a more and more international factor in the way countries relate to each other. I would give you the East African community as one example of countries that in the past were part of a colonial system. Not all five of them, one wasn’t part of it. But today you have five African countries you’ll see their national interest to enter into a constructive group, particularly economic and social, and they’re working towards that. So I think that’s one phenomenon we will see more and more of, and I think the European communities can be ... So I think we’re seeing that as a phenomenon.

So one of the questions facing Canada is going to be: What is Canada’s new position in relation to these wider groupings? You always had this intimate relationship with the United States, but I think that Canada has so many assets to offer – which it doesn’t always recognize – that it will be welcome in a number of these constructs in one form or the other. So I think you have enormous international opportunity and it’s really for you to take what you want to take.

Does Canada still have the same relevance, especially in areas like East Africa, as we had a decade ago?

I would say more than ever before. And the reason is that you are still today, in my view, the case study of a pluralist society. And if you look around the world, at least the world I work in, you can see how these stresses and strains are causing havoc today as they caused havoc ten years ago. Look at what’s happening in Kyrgyzstan, look at what happened in Kenya, you see these issues coming out all the time, all the time. They’re not going away. And I think that Canada still has a very, very important role in trying to, in a sense, show that this is always going to be a work in progress. There’s not a definitive solution. It’s always going to be a work in progress. But the methodologies that have been used in Canada to achieve the outcome I think are very, very important indeed. And I’m not seeing that happening in very many countries today.

I’m seeing on the contrary the division of communities: linguistic, religious, ethnic, tribal. And so in that sense, Canada remains a very important example. I think in the other area, relationship between what I would call the state economy, is another critical issue that Europe is trying to deal with that many developing countries are trying to deal with ... and finding the correct balance is, I think, something which is ahead of us. It’s not solved. I don’t think Europe has found the answers. I don’t think south of Canada either has the answers. So that’s another major state issue that all the countries that I’m working in are going to be working on. They have to come to grips with that.

It’s interesting that you raise Africa and suggest that Canada is more relevant than ever, yet we’ve cut our aid to Africa rather significantly in the last couple of years. Does that change Canada’s image?

I hope not. I’m not aware of that perception frankly. I think what happens probably is Canada, at the time of, let’s say, economic review, decided that they were better off concentrating on certain areas of the world, and that decision I assume is reversible. So I’m assuming if that is a policy taken at a given time in given circumstances, it’s not a permanent policy. I think that, for example, in the case of Afghanistan I believe that even if the troops leave in 2011, your aid to Afghanistan will remain a significant part of your international commitments. So I consider that, if I may express an opinion, a very, very wise decision. Because my experience has been that you don’t build stability in two years. It takes a long time.

How long would you suggest for Afghanistan, because this is a very troubling question for a lot Canadians who have seen a lot of Canadian money spent, but more importantly, many Canadian lives lost in Afghanistan, and I think collectively we’re wondering: Have we done the right thing, and what should we be doing in the future?

Well, Afghanistan, I think, at the moment is a bit of a patchwork situation, where you have areas of the country which are effectively moving forwards with the reconstruction of civil society, with local capacity taking all of international support and all that sort of thing. And you have other areas where there’s absolutely no progress of that sort whatsoever. So I think at this stage, the key issue it to try to create a majority of situations in the country which are actually moving forwards. That is, you shrink the area of problems and instability and you cause those areas to look to the rest of the country, which is stabilized, which is moving forwards, and sooner or later somebody is going to say, “that’s the better option for us.”

Who’s going to say that in Afghanistan? Because it’s such a decentralized society.

It’s true, but in Afghanistan, like other countries in Asia and other countries in Africa and even Europe, people look over their shoulders and ask, “is the grass greener next door?” And they’re constantly making comparisons. And word of mouth is an amazing force, you know? And it’s so basic. It’s, “Who has water? Who has energy? Who has communications? Who has stable crops?” You know, those are the things that really count in those environments.

Security, of course, is also important and right now NATO forces are providing a lot of the security. Do you think that should continue?

Yes.

How long?

Until the Afghan country or the Afghan state has the capacity to underwrite security. My hope, frankly, is that more effort will be put into the police rather than the military.

Why’s that?

Because I think civil society functions better with the police than it functions with the military. And if you want to build a civil society, you build it with police. I may be wrong, but I think that’s a critical issue.

Stephen [Northfield] is our foreign editor and manages all of our reporters in Afghanistan – fortunately we have not lost any as other media have.

Stephen Northfield: I wonder too--there’s the perception that Western troops in Muslim countries have been a constant source of strain, and a source of propaganda, for the side of the equation that wants to force the issue. Is it possible to have a constructive outcome where Western troops are working in Muslim countries like Afghanistan? Is it wrong-headed from its conception?

That’s really a case-by-case issue, I wouldn’t generalize on that, you know? But I think most countries that I know like to have their own army under their own command. I think the same is true, they need effective police. The process of rehabilitation, I think, should be regulated by national police, not by the army. The army should only be called in if the situation gets out of hand. But in normal daily life, that is where I think the presence of the police and the competence of the police is very, very important indeed. Now there are all sorts of caveats to that. It’s not easy. Because they have to be trained, they have to be equipped, they have to know how to handle certain things. And Afghanistan doesn’t have that today.

John Stackhouse: You started off talking about the emergence of regionalism in the world, and I wonder about the region around Afghanistan, which has not been a constructive player for that country. Is there any indication of that changing in your view?

Yes. very definitely.

Where do you see that?

Well, I think that to the north, Tajikistan has for a long time been a relatively stable neighbour with the interests of Afghanistan well understood and there hasn’t been any form of disruption there. I think the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is in the process of changing. And it’s changing slowly, but it is changing. And because it’s changing there is a greater commonality of view about the future. Now for a long time that has been impacted by Indo-Pakistani relations. And I think that issue if it can be kept under control could facilitate a new relationship between the government in Pakistan and the government in Afghanistan. At the present time, the critical issue is the army in Pakistan, and what they intend to do in Waziristan, etc. The stabilization of Western Pakistan is a critical issue. What I think very often is misunderstood is that this has historically been an area out of control. At the end of the British Empire, the tribal areas were called the tribal areas, and they remain being called the tribal areas. And they were tribal areas, have been tribal areas. So central authority has no tradition there. There’s no history of central authority.

But you see that changing?

Yes.

Do you believe the people of, say, Waziristan are starting to appreciate central authority?

Appreciate might be too strong a word. [laughter]

Accept?

I think the reintegration of areas of countries like Pakistan after – 1947 to 2010, what’s that, over 50 years? – reintegrating areas which have not been under control after 50 or 60 years of quasi-autonomy is pretty tough going. And it’s not an Asian phenomenon, this is true of Africa also.

What elements are needed to make that progress further, that process of reintegration?

I would say security, civil society, and a meritocratic approach to development, particularly in regard to human resources, because those three elements brought together could underwrite a continuous process of change.

Do you have a problem with legitimacy though? I think there’s a similar problem in Afghanistan and Pakistan that outside the capitals and outside of the larger urban centres in Pakistan, there’s very little sense in sort of recognition of the federal voice. How do you create that sense of sort of integration if it doesn’t exist? In the remote areas of Afghanistan, the capital is completely irrelevant.

You’re absolutely right, and I think that is a major liability. But it’s also an opportunity. If civil society starts building itself locally, people look to the local society. In the regions in Northern Afghanistan, they don’t know what’s going on in Kabul. They know a great deal more about what’s happening across the river in Tajikistan than what’s happening in Kabul. but that’s the whole problem of developing areas outside the cities of Asia and Africa. That’s a long-standing problem. We’ve seen it for decades in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. So you’re right, it’s starting from a very, very low base. But you have to start that initiative, you have to sustain it, and if you have the capacities to sustain it, it will take off. It’s amazing, the capacities of small communities to organize themselves. They know their priorities. It’s not Kabul that’s going to tell them this is the water distribution you need, this is the distribution of schools you need, or these are the markets you need to get to with your goods. It doesn’t happen that way.

You mentioned meritocratic development. Can you expand on that please?

Well, I think in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, areas of Pakistan also, many areas throughout the developing world, the competence of younger generations is an absolutely essential issue. If you can harness that competence and you have competent younger generations, they will underwrite the processes of change. If you don’t have educated youth, then you will have nothing to work with. You have to try to change older generations’ attitudes, you have to try to teach them new knowledge. And we certainly found that the whole development process is accelerated massively when small communities have one or two young educated people who are going to run with the endeavour. These are not necessarily big communities either.

Does that include girls?

Yes, without any doubt.

But there’s some resistance to that in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It is so in many, many countries, and it’s not only the Islamic world. You have to be careful. We’ve experimented with that, and if you accelerate women’s education ahead of men’s education you create an imbalance in the local community. It’s a very strange phenomenon. But the traditional social relations are so strong that the educated girl opposite the uneducated boy is an equation for disaster.

How does that manifest itself?

Social relations, family relations, relations between generations. You know, sometimes outside various parts of the world these things are looked at rather simplistically, but unless you’ve really lived them and experienced the outcome you get things wrong. So any massive disequilibrium between the quality of women’s education and the quality of boy’s education is very, very undesirable.

How do you insert yourself in that without seeming to just support the old patriarchal systems that have initiated those cultures? That would be a very difficult balance.

I think the first question is: Who is the provider of the boys’ education and who is the provider of the girls’ education. Because ultimately, you have to work with the providers. And in most cases it’s either the provincial governments or the national ministry or the central government, so you need to make sure this process of education is not gender specific. If it is gender specific, its automatically a cause of problems.

His Highness the Aga Khan and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveil the commemorative plaque for the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture and their Park during the foundation ceremony in Toronto May 28, 2010.

Stephen Northfield: John mentioned the 2002 interview at the beginning and I read it as well, and I was struck at the time at the very fraught time in the wake of the 9/11 attack and your sense of discomfort with the way Muslims were being generalized about, generally speaking, but even at some of the higher political levels. Many years have passed since then and so I was curious generally: that relationship between and the reverberations of those events, how have you seen the development and the change in the relationship generally between the Muslim world and other parts of the West? And specifically, I was wondering how much hope you place in [U.S. President Barack] Obama, who is obviously a totally new character who hence made at least overtures to try to correct a situation that created so many problems ...

As I told you in 2002, I don’t like working in generalizations, and I don’t think the Islamic world is a part of the world that should be generalized about. I think situations are totally different, for example, even within the Arab world, between the ... Gulf states, or the historic states of Iraq and Syria, etc. I think what President Obama did was first of all address a generic message to what we call the ummah, that is, the constituency of Muslim communities around the world, to say: If you have the impression that the United States has a central policy which is anti-Muslim, forget it, because that’s unbelievable. I think that message started a process of rethinking of the Islamic world, because it came from a man who has knowledge of the Islamic world ... so that I think levied a basic premise. I don’t think it changed everything around the Muslim world, but it struck a new beginning.

In that sense, I think it sent a very strong message, because it said we want to do things differently. Since then, they have done things differently. They have on the basis of the cultures that are involved on the interests of individual countries, they have opened doors, sometimes they’ve been led by Washington, sometimes they’ve been led by Paris, sometimes they’ve been led by London, but there is a case-by-case situation which is changing. And I think if you go back to the interview in 2002, I mentioned to you at the time that is precisely what I was hoping for; that is, the wisdom of the case-by-case situation. Get away from this notion of this is one big blob of humanity and states ... that is simply not true. So I think that there is a process of change which I see as very encouraging, very encouraging. And yet to be frank, these things are not going to be unravelled in one month.

How do you see attitudes in predominately Muslim countries changing towards the West over the past decade?

Again, I find it difficult to comment on Muslim countries generically. I will say the African Muslim countries or the sub-Saharan countries first of all have never had that basic inimical attitude. So they are Muslim, but they are not directly involved for example with the Middle East issue. From that point of view, I don’t think we can assume anything was changed ... by what happens in the Middle East. They have their own separate criteria, they have their own set of issues. Take Malaysia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia generally, these are, I suppose, what we would call newly industrialized countries. They have strong economies, they have competent institutions, and their own internal political systems are the things they are concentrating on first. So I think if you are talking about Southeast Asia, you have a different situation again. But the Middle East remains a major problem. And it is a major problem. There are major issues. Their nuclear program is an issue, actually. But I would tend say that the picture is not total, it is actually a divided set of issues. But from what I can tell, this has been recognized and people are working on it.

But when you say the Middle East is a problem, does that suggest that attitudes in the Middle East towards the West or towards the United States are worsening?

No, I don’t think they’re worsening. I think they’re changing.

In what ways?

Well, I think there are new dialogues taking place, there are new attitudes towards parties in the Shia world and that’s very, very important indeed. Previous policies appeared to be exclusive to that in the Sunni world. I think that’s changed. The Shia world is part of the Islamic world. If you look from an Islamic point of view, how do you talk to the West and ignore the Catholics versus the Protestants or the Orthodox? You can’t do that. That’s the same for the Muslim world. So I’m pleased that there are new dialogues.

Can you give examples of those dialogues, especially with the Shia?

Yes, I think there is a new dialogue with Damascus, which when we met in 2002 wasn’t in place. That dialogue is important because it has a ripple effect into Lebanon. It has possibly a ripple effect into Iran. It may have a ripple effect into Yemen. So, you know, these situations are processes of change. And I’m not going to say today I can predict where they’re going. What I can say is that last time we met those dialogues weren’t happening. So I think that is again an area of hope.

Can you share any insight into the situation in Iraq and how that is affecting the rest of the region and the region’s relations with the West?

We don’t have an institutional presence in Iraq. So I’m probably less expert on that situation than I would be on Afghanistan or Pakistan. But I think that you have somewhat the same situation as you had in Northern Ireland. That is you have communities of faith who have historically disliked each other. Now that’s part of the demography of the country. That’s been the situation for years and years. That may be one of the issues that needs to be addressed, and addressed in a sophisticated competent manner. Because if that is not done, the whole political process will be conditioned by the inability to have those two major communities living together in peace. And there are multiple forces playing. There is the theological force, the ethnic force – so you have these multiple forces that are playing out there, and I find it personally very difficult to predict where this is going to go. But I could also say unless there are solutions that are worked out, we’re facing a long-term situation there. But as I said, I’m not an expert on Iraq.

If I could go back to Stephen’s question about America’s image in many parts of the world, but particularly the Middle East, Obama came in and gave the world much hope and there was much hope in for Middle East. There’s some debate over whether that’s fading or sliding. Do you have a good sense of that?

I obviously don’t know what President Obama is thinking on this issue. But I don’t see how it can ever disappear from the major international agenda from the United States and the world agenda. It is a major issue. And if you turned that problem around and said that issue didn’t exist any more, you ask the question: What our world would be like? It could be a very, very different world. So I consider this one of the stable long-term political issues that’s got to be solved. It’s simply something that isn’t going to go away.

You mentioned Iran as another source of concern. How should we in the West view Iran?

That is an extremely complex question. It is an extremely complex question. I think one of the issues is: What is it that you want from Iran? I don’t have a lot of clarity on that, frankly. Are we talking about the nuclear issue? Are we talking about regime change? Are we talking about a decentralized or a free economy? What are we talking about when it comes to the situation of Iran? I personally don’t have a lot of clarity. First of all we’re talking about the nuclear issue. Then we’re talking about an electoral process that everyone thinks is infamous, if I can use that word. We’re talking about a relationship between faith and state which is unclear. So I find it very difficult to understand when I look at the Iranian situation. What is the priority issue that we’re really talking about? And I’m not sure that outside Iran, in the Western world, there is clarity on that either. I don’t know whether you have the same feeling.

I think the enigmatic quality of Iran is the thing that makes the situation so frightening – it raises the odds of a misunderstanding. And that’s always the issue. It’s not always clear what the other side wants. It’s not always clear who’s speaking on whose behalf.

But do you have an understanding? All the issues you’ve just enumerated, what is it that are the priority issues that have to be solved?

I think you’re right there is no clarity, but I think the overarching concern particularly for the United States and Canada, as allies of Israel, is the nuclear program and how that may threaten Israel.

Right, right. No I mean I accept entirely that the nuclear issue is a very important issue, particularly because there is, I think, a growing momentum in denuclearization, and I think that’s very intelligent for all of us, I support that. On the one hand, I understand the divide between military use and civil use of nuclear energy is a very, very fine line and extremely difficult to govern from outside a given country. That’s, I think, the real break point. Now I’m not a nuclear expert but I understand that is one of the real problems.

And made all the worse by the fact that Iran is essentially not a member of the international community – it’s not allowed to, or arguably does not want to, participate in a lot of multilateral forums and organizations that are designed to help regulate things like nuclear power and civilian nuclear use.

I mean my sense is we are looking to the future for a massive increase in nuclear use around the world. To me, that’s on the cards. And it’s on the cards in the industrialized world, it’s on the cards in the Third World.

So we should get used to that?

I think we have to make the intellectual effort to jump ahead of that issue and ten or 15 years from now, many, many countries will have to go to nuclear energy, they don’t have an alternative.

That’s very interesting in the Pakistan-India environment, which Canada was a key player in the 1970s, as you know, for both countries in developing their nuclear programs. And it has created a lot of uncertainty and discomfort in Canada that those countries went on to develop nuclear bombs. We feel, rightly or wrongly, we may have contributed to that. How should Canadians view the growth of nuclear power in those countries?

I think you should encourage the introduction of nuclear capacity. It should be part of the global process.

But you understand that nuclear power...

In civil terms? I don’t see how these countries can industrialize themselves without that.

Do you feel comfortable with Pakistan rapidly developing a civilian nuclear power program?

I think so long as it’s demonstrably civil, yes. I have no problem with that.

One might argue that in Pakistan that is hard to demonstrate given the interlinks between the military and the civilian government.

I can’t really comment on that.

Should we be pushing for more democratic progress in Pakistan?

You know the issues of democracy in Pakistan are very long-standing. They’re not new. If you have countries in the developing world which have layers of dysfunctionality, you have to be intellectually honest and say what is the cause of that? In many of the countries we work in, one of the main contributors to dysfunctionality is constitutional dysfunctionality. This constitutional dysfunctionality is sometimes a consequence of decolonization. Sometimes it’s a consequence of the Cold War. I happen to believe that this constitutional dysfunctionality is one of the major problems of our time. In the developing world, in Eastern Europe, in South America, if you make a list of countries with constitutional debates on the agenda, you’d be surprised how many there are.

We’re sitting in one right now. We’re world experts in constitutional challenges.

No comment. But if you think about the issue, it’s very easy to criticize a regime or a Parliament, to say you haven’t done your job, but if the basic document of statehood doesn’t enable and encourage good governance, doesn’t have the means to change itself in a constructive way, to take into account new processes, you have a very tough problem. So the internal process of governance is a very problematic issue and it’s problematic for Pakistan, and very problematic since 1947.

Do you see any signs of that changing?

I think there’s a recognition that constitutional issues in many countries need to be addressed. How that is addressed is very, very complex. Look at what’s happening in Kenya. You have a constitutional process, the constitution was printed, and somebody, between the approval of the constitution and the printing of the document introduced two words which changed the whole nature of the constitution. These are examples.

So I think this whole domain of constitutional government is massively important.

Do you think countries like Canada should try to take an active role in that or would that be imposing our values on others?

Definitely yes. I’ll tell you why. I think in this area, the case study, where the case has been resolved, is massively important. The more the case studies of the Western world are made known, analyzed, commented on, critiqued if necessary, is essential. Ultimately you’re looking at what are the processes of change. You’re not only looking at the outcome, you’re looking at how the process of change occurs. I would even give you the Afghan constitution. I think if you speak to international organizations, international diplomats, they would say the Afghan constitution is problematic.

But to take that on now is to almost invite civil conflict.

Very often these constitutions have been developed as balancing acts at a historic time. Look at the Lebanese constitution. So there are so many cases around the world that we all know.

Canadians as you know have been involved in the constitutional process in Kenya, in Sri Lanka and in those situations it’s evolutionary but there’s been some challenges when political parties and ethnic groups have taken advantage of..

Loopholes.

Yes, loopholes. Constitutional ideas and I think that confounds some Canadians who are involved and feel they are being played or manipulated.

That issue is: What is the predictability of constitutionality? And that is a tough question. Societies are changing around the world and constitutions have to have the ability to change.

It’s a great challenge in every country.

It’s an enormous challenge. One of my worries is that in our parts of the world we’re not educated for that. We’re trying to introduce into our curricula in secondary school comparative government. We think that every young educated person has to have a basic understanding of the methodologies of human governance. What works, what doesn’t work, what’s different between a presidential system and a parliamentary system, multiparty system. Most of the countries we work in are not only multiparty systems, but they’re not bi-party systems. Democracy, when it has 62 national parties, can be a very severe problem. I don’t like throwing blame. I prefer to analyze the problem and try to see what is the answer. This isn’t a secret, I think we can say we’ve just got the agreement of the International Baccalaureate Organization to add a number of subjects to our educational system in the developing world, adding subjects that we consider necessary but that aren’t necessarily necessary in the United States or Canada but are necessary there.

Subjects like comparative government, does that meet any resistance in any societies as a subject introduced in curricula?

I can’t answer that as we’re just bringing it in, but it’s certainly a subject that all of us have defined as being very, very important.

You’ve said Canada should play a role. What kind of role do you see Canada playing?

You are a centralized country with a number of provincial capacities. That’s a format that has been used in a number of countries that’s not unique to Canada. What are the case studies in the governance history of Canada where you’ve had to make adjustments, where you’ve had to get public support? What is the role of the referendum? A referendum in an educated country is one thing. A referendum in an uneducated country, it doesn’t stand any value at all in my eyes. So it’s the mechanics of this sort of thing. Wherever we can learn in the developing world we’re going to be very, very fortunate.

Do you extend that thought about referenda in uneducated countries to voting generally?

Very much so.

So voting is not a good idea in uneducated countries?

I don’t know what the alternative is. But I can’t say that consulting an uneducated population that doesn’t understand the questions it’s being asked, you know, you have a referendum on a constitution, you consult a population that has no knowledge whatsoever about the choices of constitutional government, about the success rate of constitutional government, about the problems of constitutional governments, and you ask them to vote. Intellectually, what is the credibility of that?

Stephen Northfield: Is it the lack of education or is it the fact that the uneducated population is open to manipulation? Because that seems to be as much a problem in terms of referenda and voting generally...

You’re absolutely right. And of course the absence of understanding means manipulation is much easier, because uneducated people can get up in the public domain and say anything.

John Stackhouse: We pushed, as a country, voting on a number of countries such as Afghanistan, saying you should have open elections the way we do. You’re suggesting that’s not necessarily a good idea?

No, I’m saying elections is one thing, but it’s not the only way to ensure government, because the forces at play in many situations are not national forces, they’re much more local forces. They’re governed by local relationships. In Africa the tribal relationships remain very, very strong. But you don’t see it until there’s a crisis. If you look at what happened in Kenya, Kenya became independent in ... 1963. So 50 years after independence a crisis occurs, what happens? Tribal killing across the country. Why? Because those social relations have been there for centuries and they are so strong they remain. Families integrate, marry, do business, on the basis of those relationships. It’s a little like de-socializing ex-socialist states. It’s a question of how quickly people change, not what you want people to, it’s when people actually change. And the process of change is very, very slow. I get upset when I sense impatience in the face of that because you can do much more damage by showing impatience in the face of that than working with that process.

The modernists would argue that modernization in any society is going to overcome tribal or ethnic difference. You point out that in Africa that has not been the case. It may take time, yet there’s been an acceleration of modernization and economic growth in Africa and not a simultaneous deceleration of tribalism.

There is a younger generation of educated youth in Africa and they’re moving forward. The question is, is there equity in access to education? If there’s inequity of tribal people or whatever it is, you have a problem. So we talked about meritocracy. If the meritocracy is inequitable, what do you? Cause societies to deepen the fissures? One of the things I admire about Canada, in your plural society, is that you have made meritocracy work across all the communities in Canada. I’ve observed that, I’ve watched it, I’ve admired it, and I say to myself, how has Canada succeeded in doing it? You have to tell me the answer. What I can tell you is that would be a primary objective for me in the developing world.

Stephen Northfield: You say education is key in containing the latent, destructive forces of tribalism, but is it because it teaches people to look at a wider world, or is it education that leads them to opportunity? Is education the key or is it opportunity?

I think it’s changing people’s priorities. Introducing new priorities. In the professional world, in the government world, in the international world, and it’s no longer looking backward. It’s trying to develop new capacities to underwrite the processes of change. I think the newly industrialized countries have found that in a very interesting way.

John Stackhouse: On the issue of meritocracy you made a very interesting point about how focusing on gender can skew outcomes and also create divisions, rather than focusing on root problems like education. As you know, the G20 summit is going to be just across the street here in a few weeks. The government of Canada is pushing maternal and child health as a principal issue. One might argue that’s a gender-based approach to community health. Are we taking the wrong approach?

No, you’re taking the right approach. I base my answer what I have learned from neuroscientists. The Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia are looking at what are the faculties, what are the areas of knowledge that we have to educate future generations. You have in Canada some of the leading neuroscientists. The neuroscientists are telling us the process of human development is more rapid and more lasting in the child from birth to four than at any other time. I’m not a neuroscientist but I have to believe the knowledge they have is true. We are looking at the whole issue of education and we are saying what we have to do in the developing world is ... we have to go back to early childhood education. And we have to try and make sure that early childhood development process is as strong as possible.

We’re not talking about the kids play area. We’re talking about food, about intellectual stimulation, discovery, the whole process of development.

One of the other learnings that has emerged is that birth spacing also matters to child development. Of course birth spacing brings in other, more contentious issues, which many countries are trying to come to grips with, because that requires family planning. How do you feel about the notion of working toward birth spacing as a noble goal for childhood development?

I think that’s an individual issue. I don’t think you can make a general statement that it’s right or wrong. Societies will make their own choices. What I think they have to be able to do is make choices that are predicated on good knowledge. That is important. So whatever measures they choose, they’re free to choose from my point of view, but they have to be predicated on good knowledge. And that’s not available to us in many parts of the world.

One of the challenges for many Canadians is we have a fairly significant knowledge base in this sort of area, yet if we try to share that with other countries it’s seen as an imposition with cultural values attached. Should we leave it to other countries to come to grips with it?

I think you have to let societies make their own calls on these issues. I think you’ll find societies will call, because they’re changing. There’s no doubt. There’s an economic impact which is very important. There is a clear relationship between economic progress and the number of children per family. That’s a universal truth.

Indonesia and Malaysia are good examples of that.

Exactly. So I think societies have to have their own dynamic. The more isolated they are, the more time it takes for that dynamic to change. That’s what you’re seeing in Afghanistan. Not only in Afghanistan, Pakistan also.

You’re seeing Prime Minister Harper this afternoon. What will you ask him or suggest to him?

What would I suggest to him? I’d like to see Canada more vigorous in internationalization of your knowledge of a pluralist society, because it’s not an accident in Canada. You see, societies are not pluralist by accident. They’re pluralist by the will of the government, of the people, of civil society but there is a will. At least that’s my view. And you have made that a fundamental principle of the Canadian identity. Immigrants into this country know that. They recognize it, they see it, they sense it. Today I’ll be commenting on the fact that when my community came here they weren’t only immigrants they were encouraged to keep their social structures, their economic structures, their relationships among families. In how many other countries do you know that happening? So there’s a massive accumulated quantity of knowledge and experience here.

I think we’ve used up all our time but this has been excellent. Thank you so much for sharing your time with us.

Some renderings (some of these have been seen before):
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1016/Gallery-Artist-renderings-of-the-Ismaili-Centre-Toronto-the-Aga-Khan-Museum-and-their-Park

Resources:
http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1002/menu

I'm not inspired by the (exterior) architecture. Reminds me of 1990s Moshe Safdie. But the materials and execution should be top-notch. Also, the landscaping is fantastic.

By interchange42 on UT.




http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanCer14.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanCer15.jpg

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanCer16.jpg

42

Below is the rendering of the full 6.8 hectare site. At the top left is the Ismaili Centre designed by the distinguished Indian architect Charles Correa, at the bottom right is the Aga Khan Museum designed by the renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki. The buildings are sited within a park designed designed by noted Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanSite750.jpg


The Ismaili Centre, the second in Canada and sixth in the world, will be a gathering place for prayer and a space for intellectual discourse through programmes ranging from lectures, and seminars, to exhibitions. The centre will also play host to cultural and social events. The intent is to create understanding of the values, ethics, culture and heritage of Ismaili Muslims, the work of the Aga Khan Development Network, and to search for mutual understanding among all communities and cultures.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanIsmailiCtr750.jpg


The prayer hall of the Ismaili Centre as seen from the formal gardens. When the prayer hall is lit, the glass roof emits a warm glow from within.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanIsmailiCtr2.jpg


The Aga Khan Museum as seen from the formal gardens.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanMus1.jpg


The Aga Khan Museum will be dedicated to the collection, research, preservation, and display of works of art, objects and artefacts of artistic, cultural and historical significance from various periods and geographic areas of the Muslim world.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanMus2.jpg


A gallery within the museum.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanMus3.jpg


The museum's auditorium.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanMus4.jpg


An example of art to be shown in the museum, this folio is from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, Iran, Safavid, c. 1540.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanMus5.jpg

For more information on the collections to be shown at the museum, please visit the Aga Khan Museum's website (http://www.akdn.org/museum/).


A view of the gardens in spring.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanGardens1.jpg


A view of the gardens in autumn.

http://urbantoronto.ca/picoftheday/images/AgaKhanGardens2.jpg


The $300 Million complex is expected to be completed in 2013.

All renderings Copyright: Imara (Wynford Drive) Ltd. Folio photography by AKDN.

The image of the prayer hall interior (third picture in this story) is hot. The inner layer of glass, unlike the more linear construction of the outside layer, is almost drooping in like the inside of a tent. Kind of reminds me almost of a teepee of sorts, but built in glass. It also seems more 'fractalized' on the inside (yes, I know fractalized is likely not a word, but you get what I mean).

Daily commercial news & construction record ...

http://dcnonl.com/article/id39447
June 28, 2010
http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/39447/130.jpg
CHARLES CORREA ASSOCIATES
The $300 million project being spearheaded by the Aga Khan in Don Mills.

Vanbots had early input into Aga Khan’s Toronto landmark
PATRICIA WILLIAMS
staff writer

Contractor Vanbots brought its “builder’s hat” to the table during the pre-construction phase of a $300 million project now under way in Toronto’s Don Mills neighbourhood.

The company, a division of Carillion Construction Inc., provided advice during design development on both constructability and budgeting.

“Budgeting was particularly critical, since there are two significant buildings as well as a large landscaping package and underground parking,” says vice-president Don Griffin. “We’ve got pretty good intelligence on the local subcontractor market.”

The project, being spearheaded by the Aga Khan, consists of the first-ever Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art, an adjacent Ismaili Centre and a series of landscaped gardens.

The official groundbreaking was in late May.

Site clearance is currently underway. Substantial completion is scheduled for the end of 2012.

Designed by Indian architect Charles Correa, the Ismaili Centre will be the newest addition to a network of such centres worldwide and the second in Canada.

http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/39447/130c.jpg
FUMIHIKO MAKI/MAKI AND ASSOCIATES
The project includes the Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Art.

Clad in French limestone, the building will include a 1,100-square-metre prayer hall, 400-square-metre multipurpose social hall, library and offices. The centre features an innovative double-glass roof.

The 10,000-square-metre museum, designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, will house exhibition space, 350-seat auditorium, reference library and multi-media centre as well as classrooms and workshops.

Architects of record for the complex are Toronto’s Moriyama & Teshima Architects, who previously collaborated with Maki on the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building in Ottawa.

http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/39447/200.jpg
CHARLES CORREA ASSOCIATES
The glass roof over the prayer hall “is probably the most distinctive feature” of the centre from an architectural perspective.

On the Don Mills project, the firm is responsible for preparation of contract documents, contract administration, obtaining necessary approvals, client liaison and consultant co-ordination.

Daniel Teramura, partner in charge of the Ismaili Centre project, said the glass roof over the prayer hall “is probably the most distinctive feature” of the centre from an architectural perspective.

“It’s really quite unique,” he said. “It is actually a double glass structure. This creates a thermal buffer zone, which allows us to create a comfortable interior environment.”

The glass roof was designed in collaboration with structural engineers Halcrow Yolles.

Griffin, whose firm is acting as construction manager on the project, said key construction challenges in addition to the centre’s glass roof structure include the angled external walls of the museum and the overall level of finishes.

“The expectations are very high,” said Griffin, a professional engineer and LEED-accredited professional.

The two buildings will be united by a landscaped park designed by Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic in collaboration with Moriyama & Teshima Planners. The park will incorporate a formal garden, reflecting ponds and more than two kilometres of walking trails.

Key subtrades currently on site include Blu-Mar, York Excavation, Gilbert Steel, Alliance Forming, Avenue Structures, Premform Ltd. and Coredale.

Thanks so much for the updates, guys! I wish we had more people with both money and vision like the Aga Khan living in our city.

Thanks, aswalli. Looking forward to visiting the future prayer hall during Doors Open (if the general public is welcome).

I hear a crane has been up almost a week. While it is probably still a hole, would love it if someone had a picture. Anyone in one of those condo towers on the other side of DVP have a camera?

Posted on July 30, 2010 by walli on UT.

http://i35.************/11143va.jpg

August 23 - credit: Jim Bowie via Twitpic:

http://ismailimail.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/const-photo-ak-museum2.jpg

August 25 - sunrise over construction time lapse - crecit: Jim Bowie via YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJimBowie#p/a/u/1/GMj1riYCMlc

^^ That should go in the Toronto density thread. Flemingdon really has some awesome views of the city. Great picture.

By walli on UT.

Sunrise over the construction - time lapse video from August 25, 2010 (credit Jim Bowie via YouTube):

GMj1riYCMlc

Haven't seen any construction updates for about a month. Anyone have a more recent picture or description update?

Sakıp Sabancı Museum to host Aga Khan collection (http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=sakip-sabanci-museum-to-host-aga-khan-collection-2010-10-05)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010
GÜL DEMİR and NİKİ GAMM
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
The Aga Khan calligraphy collection is becoming renowned around the world after much of it has traveled to various museums throughout Europe. The collection is currently being exhibited at Istanbul’s highly regarded Sakıp Sabancı Museum, with the show 'Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum - Arts of the Book and Calligraphy in the Islamic World' bringing together examples of the written word on a variety of objects. The Aga Khan believes such exhibitions foster recognition and tolerance

Istanbul’s Sakıp Sabancı Museum, one of the most respected museums in Turkey, recently announced that it is set to exhibit one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of the art and paraphernalia of Islamic calligraphy.

The museum announced through its website that the exhibition, running from Nov. 5 until Feb. 27 will show a collection it is calling “Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum - Arts of the Book and Calligraphy in the Islamic World.”

While the exhibition is being held as part of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture festivities, it is the first time since 2007 that it will be shown in near entirety, with artifacts of the history of the written word “on a variety of objects (ceramics, wood, metalwork, textiles, etc.) with their counterparts on parchment and paper artifacts on display,” rather than a mere general presentation of “highlights” from the collection, according to the announcement.

“The exhibition aims to show how the art of the book - in calligraphy, illumination and illustration - evolved over time in the Islamic world,” the announcement said.

Few people know of the Aga Khan’s collections. In Turkey for example, the Aga Khan – which is the hereditary title of the Imam of the largest branch of the Ismaili followers of the Shia faith – is primarily known for the architectural prizes it has conferred on various projects here, including Ertegün House in Bodrum, the Nail Çakırhan House in Akyaka and this year possibly the İpekyolu Textile Factory in Edirne.

However, the Aga Khan’s calligraphy collection is becoming more renowned as parts of it have traveled to various museums throughout Europe since 2007, while a large portion of the collection is usually housed at the Institute for Ismaili Studies in London.

The Institute's Library has an important and significant collection of Islamic manuscripts, consisting of over 1,700 volumes. Besides a small nucleus of manuscripts that contain the text of the Quran, the scope of this collection encompasses a variety of subjects, including scholarly works on jurisprudence, theology, philosophy, logic, grammar, medicine, astronomy and alchemy, and non-theoretical works of poetry and biography.

The beginnings of this collection go back to the 1930s and 1940s when the Russian scholar and pioneer of modern Ismaili studies, Vladimir Ivanow, together with other Ismaili scholars, gathered a large number of manuscripts for The Ismaili Society in Bombay. These acquisitions provided the basis for the Institute’s own collection, which over the past decade has grown considerably thanks to contributions from private collections.

Museum collection

The museum collection, which comprises some 1,000 pieces, includes several superb examples of Quran manuscripts that demonstrate the variety of script, media and decorative styles that evolved in the Muslim world. Among them, an eighth century North African folio demonstrates the earliest style of kufic script written on parchment. A page from the well known Blue Quran provides an example of gold kufic script on indigo-dyed parchment. The Blue Quran is considered one of the most extraordinary Quran manuscripts ever created, the origins of which are ninth or tenth century North African, likely created for the Fatimid caliphs.

To date, major exhibitions have taken place in Parma, London, Paris, Lisbon, Toledo, Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin. Over the next two years, further exhibitions are envisaged in Istanbul and five other cities in the Muslim world. By 2012, these exhibitions will have been seen by nearly one and a half million people and will have created a framework for cooperation and collaboration with museums and institutions throughout the world.

Museum does not exist

The Aga Khan Museum ironically doesn’t exist yet. It is being built in Toronto, Canada and is expected to be completed in 2013. Why Toronto? According to the current Aga Khan’s brother, Prince Amyn, “Toronto – and indeed North America – has become home to a growing Muslim community, whose diversity is reflective of the broad plurality of traditions, interpretations and cultures that constitute the ummah [or world of Islam]. The cosmopolitan ethic of Toronto and Canada’s pluralist values provide a suitable backdrop for the new museum and its collection.”

“Like the caravans that crisscrossed the Silk Road centuries ago, museums and their collections have become crucibles of cross-cultural dialogue that can create greater understanding among peoples. In showcasing the artifacts of the Muslim world, the Aga Khan Museum will foster a greater appreciation of our collective human heritage and shared history,” he said.

The new museum will be dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, display and interpretation of artifacts relating to the intellectual, cultural, artistic and religious traditions of Muslim communities, past and present. Artifacts will include ceramics, metalwork, and paintings covering all periods of Islamic history.

Manuscripts in the collection will include the earliest known copy of Avicenna’s “Qanun fi’l-Tibb” (“The Canon of Medicine”) dating from 1052. A music program is also planned to feature in the collection’s permanent display, which will work to expand knowledge of the traditional music of Asia and the Islamic world as well as its contemporary expression.

The museum will become a repository of historical materials related to the Ismaili community and house research programs related to each one of the aspects of its institutional mission. It will also provide a space for permanent exchanges between the Islamic and Western worlds on educational, cultural and socioeconomic issues.

Islam according to the Imam of the Shia faith

The Aga Khan has pointed out that over the centuries, Islam has embraced many civilizations and is by nature pluralistic. The Aga Khan collection therefore aims to exhibit objects from every region and period, created from every kind of material in the Muslim world. The collection seeks to demonstrate the openness of Muslim civilizations to every aspect of human life, even going so far as to work in partnership with intellectual and artistic sources originating in other cultural matrices.

According to the current Aga Khan, Shah Karim al-Hussayni, there are two main tendencies, traditional and modern, trying to maintain, indeed develop, Islamic legitimacy. “For the populations of the Ummah, loss of identity is an unquestionable reality, as it is for all societies. Perhaps one of the keys for the Muslim world will be to perpetuate their cultures in the modern world by means of rediscovered ancient and newly inspired sources. The Muslim world’s two main tendencies, traditional and modern, will both have a role to play but if one attempts to achieve exclusivity at the expense of the other, the consequences will be predictable and highly damaging,” he said at the closing address of an exhibition at Paris’ Louvre Museum in Oct., 2007.

The Sakıp Sabancı exhibition is a keenly anticipated event, and will also no doubt be bolstered by the museum’s own extensive calligraphic collection. The Aga Khan collection will be on exhibition until Feb. 27, 2011.

The exhibition of the Ismaili Centre, Aga Khan Museum and their Park displayed at their Foundation Ceremony earlier this year will be showcased at the Ontario Science Center from December 23 to January 12, 2011. I believe the exhibition will be open to the public 10AM-6PM - 7 days a week. Encourage all in the area and with interest in this project to stop in.

Thank you for keeping us up to date on this! You must be pretty excited about the completion and opening of the Centre! When will it all be done?

^^ my understanding is that it is on schedule - IE against the schedule shared when the foundation ceremony took place - completion 2013. Visibly, the construction seems to have been moving at a frantic pace.

More information about the exhibition:

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1137/

aerial construction pic from the link:

http://www.theismaili.org/assets/11/3861.jpg

Any pictorial updates on this one? I hear the second floor walls are looking quite cool. Additionally, with the schedule of the glass roof coming on some time in May, there must be a lot of prep work happening on the cultural centre side also. Would love to see some pics!

Me too, if anyone goes near please take some photos!

Well - it is May now, and the story was that the start of getting the roof elements of the cultural centre may begin some time in May. Any hint of that? Has anyone been able to get pics lately of the Museum angled walls, as well as roof prep on the ismaili centre side?

Well - it is May now, and the story was that the start of getting the roof elements of the cultural centre may begin some time in May. Any hint of that? Has anyone been able to get pics lately of the Museum angled walls, as well as roof prep on the ismaili centre side?

so there is confirmation that they are working on the steel & glass roof. Does no one in Toronto have a camera?

so there is confirmation that they are working on the steel & glass roof. Does no one in Toronto have a camera?

Yes but nobody in this forum lives near that site. Without using a car this place may as well be at the Noth Pole.

Yes but nobody in this forum lives near that site. Without using a car this place may as well be at the Noth Pole.

Alright - I'll keep looking and if I find will post. I always thought the DVP was a busy road, but on the other hand Toronto is a big place so it is all relative.

I'll make a journey out there this weekend if I have time.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4113957/100_2129.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4113957/100_2132.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4113957/100_2133.jpg

May 29

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5773398005_369b45803a_b.jpg (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5773398005_369b45803a_b.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/5773397999_575906e423_b.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/5773397999_575906e423_b.jpg)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5773397995_b470b08c9d_b.jpg (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5773397995_b470b08c9d_b.jpg)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5773397985_a416f7541d_b.jpg (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5773397985_a416f7541d_b.jpg)

July 19th - From the DVP

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx148/mariusbleek/DSCN1435.jpg


http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx148/mariusbleek/DSCN1437.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6156695309_4f5173225f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobby17/6156695309/)
Sept 16 Aga Khan 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobby17/6156695309/) by Cobby17 (http://www.flickr.com/people/cobby17/), on Flickr

Thanks for the updates, guys! Coming along nicely!

i might get a shot tonight as well. depends whether or not i take transit into the city.

From pictures that I've seen on the net, I think this museum is going to have some really beautiful spaces. It will provide another great cultural attraction in the city.

From the outside it looks like a community centre or shopping mall. Driving up the the Pac mall with some friends last month one of them asked if any of us new the name of the mall they are building as she pointed at the AK Centre.

I'm going to let them finish it first. Let's face it, any low rise development will kind of look like a "mall" until it is completed. I like the project a lot and am hoping it will look amazing when done!

And, of course, like any museum it will be what is inside that counts the most.

Feb 23
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6929971915_602bbf4491_b.jpg (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6929971915_602bbf4491_b.jpg)
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Construction update photos taken July 3
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7503453478_626a3cdf0a_b.jpg (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7503453478_626a3cdf0a_b.jpg)
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I've heard that some of the contrast cladding has started going up on the elements that protrude from the roof line. True?

Drove past it yesterday, but couldn't really see much.

Drove past it yesterday, but couldn't really see much.

Thank-you for checking. With all the unique aspects / details around this construction, I wish there would have been a construction web-cam. Oh well.

This looks like it's going to be a major museum and a really good one too. I'm always going on about Toronto not having enough major attractions, so I'm very happy about this. I will be so excited opening day. I love museums about culture, art and ancient civilizations. The design is going to be top rate, from what I've seen so far.

I'm very pleased about landing this centre as well. I can see the beginnings of a critical mass of interesting assets for this area. Isn't the Ontario Science Centre just around the corner?

I'm very pleased about landing this centre as well. I can see the beginnings of a critical mass of interesting assets for this area. Isn't the Ontario Science Centre just around the corner?

Yes - the OSC is right around the corner. I think in time, when next phases of the transit plans manifest, this will also be a very well (public transit) connected corner of Toronto. That will inspire more development I suspect.

I've heard that some of the contrast cladding has started going up on the elements that protrude from the roof line. True?

Went by yesterday and they are working on the roof but I did not see the installation of contrast cladding. Here are a few photos as construction continues:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7796886954_bf7c553b5e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/7796886954/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7796885048_439bb1dff9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/7796885048/)
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7796901526_a8ec8bff1b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/7796901526/)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7796897116_59b12f7168_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/7796897116/)

It's projects like this that cement my view that Toronto is gaining clout internationally with each passing year. Perhaps over the next decade we'll be blessed with more cultural assets: museums, galleries, perhaps even another theatre.

Latest construction gallery:

https://picasaweb.google.com/104846363423995421569/AgaKhanWynfordParkConstructionProjects20#

[EDIT]

I was reviewing some of the pictures in detail / zooming in and the like ... looks like there has been a lot of progress on the landscaping. Additionally, it really looks like the landscaping is not straightforward - is a very substantial aspect of the construction / project overall! Will be nice to see in a few days time when all of the newly delivered trees are up :)

I'm unsure how I will get there from downtown via public transport! :?

I'm unsure how I will get there from downtown via public transport! :?

Eglinton LRT, once it's built.

What is the difference between the Eglinton LRT and a subway? Is it just a streetcar that's underground?

What is the difference between the Eglinton LRT and a subway? Is it just a streetcar that's underground?

LRT - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_rail
Light rail or light rail transit (LRT) is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems. The term is typically used to refer to rail systems with rapid transit-style features that usually use electric rail cars[1] operating mostly in private rights-of-way separated from other traffic but sometimes, if necessary, mixed with other traffic in city streets. If this is the case, then under the law of many countries such systems are legally tramways, although the vehicles which run on them are sometimes designated "supertrams". Modern light rail technology is flexible and adaptable, and whether any given system is considered a true rapid transit system or not depends on its characteristics.[2][3][4]

Subway - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subway_%28rail%29
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is a passenger transport system in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic.[1][2] Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on elevated viaducts above street level. Outside urban centers, rapid transit lines may run on grade separated ground level tracks.

With respect to Eglinton, I believe it is separate right of ways, so something like Edmonton or Calgary's LRT systems.

If you want specific touchstones, here is a web-page for Calgary's new West LRT line where there is an above grade portion, an at grade portion, some portions in a trench and a portion including one station underground. I haven't reviewed Eglinton-crosstown too closely, but I suspect some of the elements could be like Calgary's West LRT. (click the explore the West LRT button for an interesting animation covering the entire line, and there are also good images for the stations within the FAQ section).

http://www.westlrt.ca/

It is certainly not a streetcar, as streetcars stop much more often and run much slower. Calgary's LRT line goes up to 80km/hr (I think there is a stretch on the Edmonton line that allows 90km/hr, but I'm not certain). Of course, at the end of the day, it all depends on how close the stops are designed to be.

Anyway - enough LRT conversations on this thread!

Fantastic new construction pics by Meteor54 on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/tags/agakhan/

One thing I really noticed in this set is the number of outdoor rooftop spaces there are on the Ismaili centre.

The Ismiali centre is looking very nice, and the completed angular skylight over the social hall space is providing a lot of visual interest and balance:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/8025604219/

The trees coming in are complimenting the structure of the museum very nice. I suspect we won't see water till very close to the end of the project, which will add a different depth of interest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/8025601387/in/photostream/

Thank you aswalli. Here is a better pic of the completed angular skylight over the social hall space:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8028631119_7eac63a53e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/8028631119/)

Three recent pics via twitter:

https://twitter.com/aswalli/status/265007701224980480/photo/1/large

https://twitter.com/aswalli/status/265007940073828352/photo/1/large

https://twitter.com/aswalli/status/265011500542988288/photo/1/large

Two web-cams:

http://www.toronto.ca/rescu/loc76.htm

http://www.toronto.ca/rescu/loc75.htm

Thanks for your answers and updates. I hope they have a public open house. I'd love to go check it out.

Slightly tangential, but still related, item:

The Prime Minister was just taken around Humayun's Tomb and garden in Dehli by the President of the Ismaili Council for Canada. That historic site, rehabilitated by the Aga Khan, was one of the gardens that the Aga Khan asked for the Wynford project landscape architect to visit in advance of designing the Toronto park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FquopEGzz_4

I see this place being used for the backdrop in cheap Canadian Sci-Fi TV shows.

I see this place being used for the backdrop in cheap Canadian Sci-Fi TV shows.

LOL!

I'm certain it will be a busy place.

Judging from the international attention it has already received, I very much doubt it will need Canadian Sci-Fi TV for attention. At the same time, I highly doubt Canadian Sci-Fi TV could afford it anyway ;P

LOL!

I'm certain it will be a busy place.

Judging from the international attention it has already received, I very much doubt it will need Canadian Sci-Fi TV for attention. At the same time, I highly doubt Canadian Sci-Fi TV could afford it anyway ;P

I doubt companies like IBM and Cadillac Fairview need the money they make from film productions but their venues have been used over and over because of their modern designs. This complex is screaming Sci-Fi movie shoot cheap or not.

Hell NPS was in Next Gen and Resident Evil.

I doubt companies like IBM and Cadillac Fairview need the money they make from film productions but their venues have been used over and over because of their modern designs. This complex is screaming Sci-Fi movie shoot cheap or not.

Hell NPS was in Next Gen and Resident Evil.

Sure, but I don't think The AK would allow it for any price. Money is the end-game for all the corporations you noted, but the context is different here. If he was The Donald, on the other hand, the answer would be different I'm sure.

Even religions run on money not just good intentions. Recognize anything? And that's catholic church money. That movie was filmed in a cathedral opened by John Paul the 2nd ten years earlier.
http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/data/movies/bts/btsart/mmbsab7.jpg

Set of recent pictures. The garden portions are much more complex than I envisioned. Quite a few forms there that rise up substantially from ground level.

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/aga-khan-museum-and-ismaili-centre-toronto-construction-photographs-november-2012/

^^ It looks like they are really doing a first rate job with the landscaping.

via Twitter, I came across the Aga Khan Museum facebook page, and while it is relatively new (looks like about six weeks) there is already some pretty neat content there that is different from the official museum web-site. There are several pictures and the like that would interest the crowd here.

Glass screens towards the inner courtyard:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=494048870619913&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&relevant_count=1#!/photo.php?fbid=494048870619913&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&theater

Rendering with a slightly different vantage:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=496028053755328&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&relevant_count=1#!/photo.php?fbid=496028053755328&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&theater

Older picture of construction, but from a different angle than we can normally get:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=508005929224207&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&relevant_count=1#!/photo.php?fbid=508005929224207&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&theater

While perhaps not completely unexpected given the nature of the project, I was still pleasantly surprised to see over 1,000 like since this page started just a few weeks ago!

Main facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/agakhanmuseumtoronto

I don't see anything similar for the cultural centre, however, I think that is actually not a bad thing, as there will be more surprises and discovery when the entire project completes, as a result. One of the comments on the site reads addresses the Ismaili Centre portion:

Dave GhelaKhesch writes:
I worked on the Ismailie Centre project. All I gotta say it's a work of art, and a magnificent project! Breathing walls & carpets are a few to name. Pretty challenging project, but will have a great outcome for the worshipers of this centre! Enjoy!

BTW - follow the twitter hash-tag #AgaKhanMuseum ... looks like they are sponsoring something at the Toronto Centre for the Arts:
http://www.tocentre.com/georgeweston/sasharzarif

The facebook updates are great, Thank you aswalli.
Dec 22
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Thanks for the updates.

Looks wonderful. I wish we didn't have to lose Bata to get it though.

I'll second that Isaidso.

Another set of December 24th construction photos:
https://picasaweb.google.com/104846363423995421569/AgaKhanWynfordParkConstructionProjects22
By Mehdi Esmail via Picasa (https://picasaweb.google.com/104846363423995421569)

Not sure what this large piece of class is for. Thought the exterior was virtually completed! Maybe the inner courtyard?
https://picasaweb.google.com/104846363423995421569/AgaKhanWynfordParkConstructionProjects22#5825654238224079202

Recent mentions of this project in the media:

The Toronto Star - "Ten things Toronto can look forward to in 2013" (http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1308982--hume-ten-things-toronto-can-look-forward-to-in-2013)
... here are a few of the things we’re looking forward to in the 12 months ahead ...
Occupying a large suburban site at Eglinton Ave. E. and Wynford Dr., the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre will transform this part of Toronto. Already the magnificent complex is turning heads — for now, mostly those watching as they drive by on the northbound DVP. When complete, its effect will be felt across the city. The architects — including Fumihiko Maki and Charles Correa — have created a place of surpassing beauty. As an act of faith in Toronto, a gift to the city, the centre is unparalleled.

The Globe and Mail - "Reader picks for what to watch in 2013" (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/community/digital-lab/apple-newfoundland-and-a-certain-royal-baby-reader-picks-for-what-to-watch-in-2013/article6660306/)
A Toronto intersection to watch
Don Valley Parkway and Eglinton: "Expected to open in 2013 is the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre in Toronto. The project represents what I would term the first 'international' museum in the country. The museum will house the largest collection of Islamic artifacts in all of North America, and will represent a marker for Canadian pluralism on the International stage. This will be an event for which all Canadians should be proud."

Islamic Arts Magazine - "20 Top Exhibitions in 2012" (http://islamicartsmagazine.com/magazine/view/20_top_exhibitions_in_2012/)
01 Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum: Architecture in Islamic Arts
'Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum: Architecture in Islamic Arts,' a travelling exhibition of objects and art from the Aga Khan Museum collection, which has been touring renowned museums in key European cities, was exhibited at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.

Awesome photo!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=535830163108450&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307641_535830163108450_1212743743_n.jpg
Via the AKM Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/agakhanmuseumtoronto)

Wow... I can hardly believe that this is just around the corner! Is there a firm opening date announced yet?

I hope they take down the ugly fence surrounding this beautiful complex. I'm sure this will be a popular place for taking wedding pictures and for photographers in general. With all the trees and plants in bloom, it will look great, plus those water features are wonderful. I can't wait to take pics/videos. I hope this is the start to some interesting development at Don Mills & Eglinton. (a few new restaurants & stores would be nice)

Wow... I can hardly believe that this is just around the corner! Is there a firm opening date announced yet?

I believe the window for opening is currently sitting at Oct 2013 to June 2014, give or take. There is still a lot of work to do, and these buildings have many details. You can imagine that museums have additional items to complete, specifically, the exhibits themselves, as well as complementary programs.

I hope they take down the ugly fence surrounding this beautiful complex.

I'm certain that will be the case. My recollection of early details is that the intent is to to connect the park to the broader pathway systems, and make it accessible as possible.

New blog by a Toronto museums media / comms person:

http://emmajenkin.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/newest-crush-2/
I was asked recently which nonprofit organization I thought had the best social media. I normally answer with one of the local powerhouses, like SickKids Foundation, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Alexander Neef (yes, he’s an individual, but he presents himself as an extension of the Canadian Opera Company, and in so doing makes the COC accessible and relatable).

But there is a new social media stud on the scene – the Aga Khan Museum.

visit link for the rest ... (http://emmajenkin.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/newest-crush-2/)

^^ In there they have a link to the Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/agakhanmuseumtoronto

any word on a proposed opening date?

Much was made of this centre not going downtown, but we need great projects throughout the GTA or we'll end up with a great core and relatively barren periphery. The Ismaili Centre coupled with the Science Centre have created a cultural node on Eglinton West. It's things like this that help a neighbourhood develop so I'm hoping that this is simply the emergence of a new vibrant area of the city.

This is, however, of international importance and therefore for the sake of tourism I would have preferred it to be more accessible to downtown, either by location or at least being close to a subway stop. You have no idea how little effort tourists will make to travel to a distant tourist attraction while they are downtown. This will be almost exclusively accessed by car as far as I see, which is a shame.

You're right that it will be difficult to get to, but I'm hoping that it will kick start drastically higher densities at this end of Eglinton East. Don't you think projects like this push forward the timeline for an Eglinton subway? Now one has more ammunition in arguing for one.

You're right that it will be difficult to get to, but I'm hoping that it will kick start drastically higher densities at this end of Eglinton East. Don't you think projects like this push forward the timeline for an Eglinton subway? Now one has more ammunition is arguing for one.

Location selection may have had multiple aspects. Certainly there is the size of lot required, but also consider, this project is in an area with an extremely high concentration of a diverse Muslim community. It may be as much about the Ismaili community and the broader non-Muslim community, as it is about the diversity of Muslim traditions outside of the Ismailis learning about their own pluralistic histories. Next, if you look at the thinking behind the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (which if you didn't know, is the worlds largest and arguably most prestigious award related to architecture), it is as much about the buildings as the impact projects have over areas. If the Aga Khan's thinking on projects he commissions himself is reflective of his architecture award, it suggests that this will add something to the neighbourhood that goes beyond buildings, and might actually be transformative over time. What can be achieved in this location might not be needed or possible elsewhere.

What's the time-frame for the Eglinton Cross-town to be opened at this location?

The Shops At Don Mills, is also one major street north, at Lawrence. They are also a tourist attraction for upscale shopping and dining, so it helps to create a tourism district. Hopefully, this area will continue to develop in a tourist friendly direction.

The Shops At Don Mills, is also one major street north, at Lawrence. They are also a tourist attraction for upscale shopping and dining, so it helps to create a tourism district. Hopefully, this area will continue to develop in a tourist friendly direction.

Shops are nice, but it is somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison based on my understanding. The Wynford Drive project(s) has several international calibre "starchitects" and will house an international calibre collection of artefacts, within a context of community engagement / performing arts / education. It has already garnered international attention and will bring in people from abroad.

Much was made of this centre not going downtown, but we need great projects throughout the GTA or we'll end up with a great core and relatively barren periphery. The Ismaili Centre coupled with the Science Centre have created a cultural node on Eglinton West. It's things like this that help a neighbourhood develop so I'm hoping that this is simply the emergence of a new vibrant area of the city.

The area needs an injection, and this could be it. It is surrounded by corporate campuses that are ready for revitalization. The IBM/Celestica site being a key one, but also along Winford, Don Mills, and Eglinton.

My only regret with this project is the Bata office that was torn down. Clearly this outweighs it, but still a shame to see good architecture destroyed.

Room to be re-created in the AKM:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=549495695075230&set=a.493985847292882.126064.485619821462818&type=1&theater

Shops are nice, but it is somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison based on my understanding. The Wynford Drive project(s) has several international calibre "starchitects" and will house an international calibre collection of artefacts, within a context of community engagement / performing arts / education. It has already garnered international attention and will bring in people from abroad.


I'm not saying it compares in any way, I'm just saying it's good to have a grouping of tourist type attractions in an area, so it creates more of a synergy and encourages tourists and Torontonians to venture out there. They can use near by attractions to market the district to tourists. (well, once Toronto decides to take tourism more seriously) Now if we could develop more attractions in the area, that would be great. The Eginton LRT and possible DRL subway, will also make this area easier to get to.

I'm not saying it compares in any way, I'm just saying it's good to have a grouping of tourist type attractions in an area, so it creates more of a synergy and encourages tourists and Torontonians to venture out there. They can use near by attractions to market the district to tourists. (well, once Toronto decides to take tourism more seriously) Now if we could develop more attractions in the area, that would be great. The Eginton LRT and possible DRL subway, will also make this area easier to get to.

Absolutely. Inviguration of the area will require critical mass on several fronts.

Reposting from UrbanToronto ...
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Interesting article about the Petronas Towers, Islamic Architecture, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the Aga Khan Museum ...

http://ridingthebuses.com/2013/02/kuala-lumpurs-petronas-towers-a-symbol-of-islamic-architecture/
I was visiting Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, a multicultural country with the majority population being Muslim. I assumed Kuala Lumpur would be a conservative city, one that would keep its assets under cover, but when I saw its much-heralded landmark, the Petronas Towers, I started to rethink my assumptions.

The Petronas Towers are twin skyscrapers, 88-stories high and connected halfway up by a sky bridge. They are among the tallest buildings in the world. They are also dazzling in design, not boxy at all in appearance but tapered at six intervals. Each tower is capped by a conical spire, which is topped by a pinnacle 73.4m (241 ft) tall.

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But the Petronas Towers went on to win the international Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2004. ... A travelling exhibition on Islamic architecture happened to be on display at the Museum of Art when I was there. Interestingly, it was from the Aga Khan Museum so there was a connection between that and the Petronas Towers. The Aga Khan himself had opened the exhibit and in his remarks said that while the architectural heritage in the Muslim world was rich and diverse it was often neglected; he wanted to change that through his organization’s awards.

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The Aga Khan jury said that while the design of the Petronas Towers stimulated and responded to cultural expectations, it also represented a “new direction in skyscraper design, featuring advanced technology while symbolizing local and national aspirations”.

Sorry for quoting so many words. It was difficult to select just a few, as there were threads that would command reflection for anyone commenting about the design of the Wynford projects, as well as what the contents of the Aga Khan Museum represent. Interestingly, whenever people mention history or a museum, unless overtly stated, it often makes us think of things that have passed, but not as much about the continuum that continues to this day and projects into the future. In my view, there fore, a "good" museum doesn't just tell about the past, but is a dynamic mechanism that bridges the past to the present to the future. This is actually one of the reasons I'm (almost) as excited about the musical, theatrical and educational components that the AKM will bring to Toronto, and North America as a whole.

Anyway, lots of elements to this train of thought. Would be cool in the future for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture ceremony to be hosting at the park in the middle of Toronto in-between the Dini and the Dunyavi, the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan museum.

Aside: The facebook page seems quite active. I like how they are introducing individual pieces, while also highlighting other programs and web-sites. A fantastic mechanism for education by slow osmosis!

Background:

- Petronas Towers win the largest architectural prize in the world, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2004 (including interesting video, and a project brief that reveals the thoughtful design elements not obvious as first glance):
http://www.akdn.org/architecture/project.asp?id=1969

- Press release about AKM exhibit in Kuala Lumpur from March 2012 (including video)
http://www.akdn.org/Content/1123