Community Life

The extraordinary impact of the parallel temporal role of the imam is best illustrated by the life and work of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, the Aga Khan III. His grandfather’s eastward move to India in the mid-nineteenth century had paradoxically provided a first opportunity for intimate contact with Britain and the West. The result was a reorganization and modernization of the social and economic life of the community that continues to be reflected in its institutions and values and their progressive impact throughout the Islamic world. In the course of a seventy-two-year reign, the grandson guided the building of schools, hospitals, and business, financial, and welfare organizations. He also encouraged his followers to embrace a larger world, as he had done, and to seek opportunities in other countries. Ismailis were urged to adopt the local culture in all but religion and to commit themselves fully to their new homes. Ironically, being at home in Uganda made their problems far more difficult. Although many Indians began to move out of East Africa in substantial numbers in the late 1960s in response to the changed political and economic realities, Ismailis generally stayed. Idi Amin’s 1972 edict was unanticipated, and unlike the earlier emigrants, they were unable to take any of their assets with them. The community’s long experience of integration has, however, facilitated the process of building a new home in Canada.

Ismailis are generally well integrated into mainstream Canadian society. In addition, they have established an elaborate system of councils, boards, and committees to administer the social and cultural life of the community and provide services that are designed to meet particular Ismaili needs. There is a national council that was originally located in Burnaby but has since moved to Toronto. Three central boards responsible for health, education, and economic planning are involved in the development of community policy and action. There are as well five regional councils, each overseeing three boards with responsibilities replicating those at the national level. Voluntarism plays a major role in all Ismaili activities, whether local, national, or international. Members of the community generally rise in the hierarchy and serve three-year appointments on the basis of experience, but the final authority for selections at all levels rests with the imam. While there is a preponderance of men in the senior ranks of the Ismaili hierarchy, the current imam has made gender equality a high priority. The ratio of male to female members on councils, national boards, and tariqah boards and councils is approximately sixty to forty.