Honourable senators, next week, on December 13, over 15 million Ismaili Muslims residing in 25 countries around the world will celebrate His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s eighty-seventh birthday. Born in 1936 in Geneva, Switzerland, His Highness succeeded his grandfather as the forty-ninth spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims when he was just 20 years old. For his entire adult life, His Highness has tirelessly championed many initiatives that have helped to lift entire communities out of poverty. These initiatives focused on promoting education — especially for girls — building health care infrastructure and spurring economic development.

I personally received a world-class education in Kampala, Uganda, at the Aga Khan nursery, primary and secondary schools. In addition to my formal education, the Aga Khan has also instilled in me many life lessons that serve as guiding principles in my personal and professional life. These lessons include that education is the most important tool for progress, which has the ability to empower individuals and entire communities, helping them overcome challenges and rise out of poverty; that diversity and difference is a strength, not a weakness, and pluralism is a powerful force for good; and that access to health care, clean water and shelter are fundamental and basic human rights, and we collectively have a responsibility as global citizens to advocate for these rights for all people, regardless of where they reside.

Last, and perhaps most importantly at this time in today’s context, the Aga Khan’s work reminds us that sustainable peace is not just the absence of conflict but also the presence of justice and understanding.

Honourable senators, every year, I look forward to delivering a statement to commemorate His Highness’s birthday. It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my career to stand in this chamber year after year and celebrate the work of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, and share with you the tremendous impact he’s had on my life and the lives of countless others.

Honourable senators, this will be the last time I stand in this chamber as a senator to commemorate this auspicious occasion, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s eighty-seventh birthday. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he has done for me, my family, my community and humanity. I want to thank all my colleagues for always accepting me for who I am, and celebrating my religion with me. Thank you, Salgirah Mubarak.