But most particularly with Ismailis, who look to the Aga Khan for guidance and inspiration.
Braving the chill night air, young children, parents, groups of friends, couples, grandparents and newborns lined the Aga Khan’s motorcade route as he arrived in Vancouver.
Waving Canada and B.C. flags, as well as the Aga Khan’s personal green and red standard, the jubilant crowd began assembling just after 4 p.m., five hours before the Aga Khan stepped from his gleaming white car and onto the red carpet outside the Pan Pacific Hotel.

“What he stands for, all he does around the world, it’s inspiring,” said Burnaby’s Aaqil Kassamali, positioned across from the hotel with friend Almira Bardai.
“It’s such a moving and exciting experience,” said Bardai, of Vancouver. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see our spiritual leader and hear his guidance.”
With the Vancouver Police Band enlivening the crowd, devotees chanted celebratory slogans, waved and shouted in anticipation of the Aga Khan’s arrival.
The Pradhan family came all the way from Halifax, NS, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee event in Vancouver.

“We both saved our vacations for this date,” said Shehza Pradhan, as his four-year-old daughter Serena anxiously waved her Canada flag.
“It’s emotional, it’s spiritual,” said Hameeda Pradhan, describing the meaningfulness of catching even a quick glimpse of the Aga Khan.
“He brings inner happiness, he’s our guide,” added Shehza. “It’s a tradition that goes back more than 1400 years to the prophet Muhammad.”
While in Vancouver, the Aga Khan also attended a luncheon in his honour arranged by B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Vancouver Mayor-Elect Gregor Robertson was in attendance, as was VPD Chief Jim Chu and a host of local dignitaries.
The Aga Khan also visited with Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, whose city hosts the magnificent Ismaili Jamatkhana, built in 1985 in honour of the Aga Khan’s Silver Jubilee.