Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Tours

The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat to Canada Tours

Tours take place on the half hour between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. on most Saturdays; and between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on some Wednesdays. Tours may not occur when events or work is occuring in the building.

On Saturdays, the last tours will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the building closing at 2:00 p.m., and on Wednesdays, the last tours will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the building closing at 7:00 p.m.

Enter via the Boteler Street entrance. Parking and bags are not permitted on-site.

Learn about the history, purpose, and architecture of the building.*

About the Delegation

The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa is the representational office in Canada of the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat, or the institutional headquarters of the Ismaili Imamat, in Portugal. The Ismaili Imamat is the historical institutional office of the Ismaili Imams of which His Highness the Aga Khan is the 50th hereditary Imam. Afforded diplomatic courtesies by the Government of Canada, it is a secular facility that is home to the Diplomatic Representative’s office as well as the headquarters of Aga Khan Foundation Canada, a registered Canadian charity that works with Canadians and Canadian institutions to eliminate poverty and improve quality-of-life on multiple fronts in Africa and Asia. The Delegation has been host to numerous activities including conferences, concerts, award ceremonies, lectures as well as for wider opportunities in building relationships, enabling quiet diplomacy, and disseminating knowledge and information.

Designed by award-winning architect Fumihiko Maki, the building opened in December 2008. The design emerges from the Aga Khan’s belief that architecture is not simply about buildings, but about the quality of life of those that inhabit the built environment. The Delegation has received the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture (2012), and two awards from the Ontario Association of Architects: the Celebration of Excellence Award and the People’s Choice Award (2010).

Plan Your Visit

The Visitor Program provides an opportunity to explore the Delegation through regularly scheduled tours, and admission is free. Volunteer guides will be on hand to facilitate visits to the Atrium, the Resource Library, and, weather permitting, the Char Bagh (courtyard garden). Please plan on approximately 30 minutes for your visit.

Please register at least three days before the tour, in order to allow us to ensure a sufficient number of available tour guides.

For questions, please call 1 (800) 267-2532 or (613) 237-2532 ext 7, and a representative of the Delegation will then be in contact with you. For special requests or queries please contact [email protected].

Location and Parking

The building is located at 199 Sussex Drive in Ottawa. Visitors are requested to enter by the Boteler Street entrance.

No parking is available on-site, but street parking is available in the neighbourhood along Boteler Street, Dalhousie Street, Parent Avenue, and Bolton Street. When parking, please take care to respect any posted regulations.

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