May 23, 2023
Prince Hussain Aga Khan visits the University of Waterloo
Prince Hussain was on campus promoting his vision for ecological consciousness and protection of the world’s oceans
The University of Waterloo welcomed Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Princess Fareen Aga Khan to campus. Prince Hussain visited Waterloo for a special presentation of his exhibition, The Living Sea – Fragile Beauty, which focuses on the beauty and majesty of the oceans and the critical importance of ocean ecology.
An esteemed conservationist, Prince Hussain is a photographer of ocean life and promotes ecological values and consciousness. His exhibitions aim to inspire admiration for wildlife and the desire to protect it.
“The goal of my work in conservation photography is to raise awareness, educate and inspire change,” Prince Hussain said. “Generally, people don’t protect things they don’t care about. In the words of Baba Dioum, ‘In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. And we will understand only what we are taught.’”
L-r: Ameerally Kassim-Lakha, president of the Aga Khan Council for Canada, Princess Fareen Aga Khan, Prince Hussain Aga Khan, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, lieutenant governor of Ontario and Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo.
Dignitaries from the University of Waterloo and government officials attended the event, including Ontario’s lieutenant governor, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
Following the presentation, Prince Hussain and Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, engaged in an on-stage conversation centred on Prince Hussain’s lifelong passion for wildlife and efforts to help protect marine ecosystems through his not-for-profit organization, Focused on Nature.
“For close to 50 years, the Aga Khan Development Network and the Aga Khan University have fostered partnerships with post-secondary institutions in Canada, including the University of Waterloo,” Goel said.
“These partnerships are based on shared values and approaches to sustainable development that includes building economic, social and cultural capacity around the world. One important way that we can build this capacity is by events like today, where we can discuss important issues such as biodiversity and sustainability,” Goel continued.
The event concluded with a heartfelt expression of gratitude from the University’s administration, recognizing Prince Hussain’s unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes and environmental preservation. Dr. Jean Becker, vice-president for Indigenous Relations, presented Prince Hussain with a work of Indigenous art to commemorate the occasion.
Dr. Jean Becker, vice-president for Indigenous Relations, presented Prince Hussain with a work of Indigenous art to commemorate the occasion. Photo credit: TheIsmaili / Akber Dewji.
Prince Hussain Aga Khan is the son of His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam and spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. The event at the University of Waterloo was presented in collaboration with the Ismaili Council for Canada. A significant presence in the packed theatre was the Canadian Ismaili Muslim community, many of whom travelled from across Canada to attend. A number of the participants were youth, including Ismaili post-secondary students from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.
“On behalf of the Canadian Ismaili Muslim community, we would like to thank the University of Waterloo for the warm welcome,” said Ameerally Kassim-Lakha, president of the Ismaili Council for Canada. “It is our pleasure to be here to honour the work of Prince Hussain Aga Khan. The exhibition celebrates the majesty and the magic of the ocean and is a lasting testimony to Prince Hussain’s lifelong commitment to the causes of conservation and environmental stewardship.”
Along with the presentation of Prince Hussain’s exhibition, the event also included artistic performances. Kitchener Grand Philharmonic Choir performed a song called “Water: an environmental oratorio,” a new piece centring on the importance of conservation. Further performances were from the Ontario Ismaili Youth Eastern Ensemble, who performed an Eastern Classical rendition of “Child of the Ocean,” a piece composed in honour of Prince Hussain.
Prince Hussain’s visit was an invaluable reminder to those present of the immense responsibility we share in safeguarding our planet and its transcendent beauty.
The exhibition, The Living Sea - Fragile Beauty, runs from May 24 to June 4 at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto. Visit the exhibition’s online event page for more details on how to attend.
The packed house for Prince Hussain's visit included many Ismaili post-secondary students from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.
