section_path: Nizari Ismaili Imamat
section_name: Nizari Ismaili Imamat
paragraph_text: Nizari Ismaili Imamat
  
  Upon assuming the Imamate, al-Husseini stated his intention to continue his grandfather's efforts in developing modern institutions aimed at improving the welfare of the Nizari Ismaili community. Takht nashini (installation) ceremonies were held at multiple locations between 1957 and 1958. During these events, he addressed themes such as interethnic and interfaith cooperation, including appeals for improved relations among different communities in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
  
  In 1972, during the tenure of President Idi Amin, people of South Asian origin, including Nizari Ismailis, were expelled from Uganda. The South Asians, some of whose families had lived in Uganda for over 100 years, were given 90 days to leave the country. Al-Husseini phoned his long-time friend, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Trudeau's government agreed to allow thousands of Nizari Ismailis to immigrate to Canada. Al-Husseini also undertook urgent steps to facilitate the resettlement of Nizari Ismailis displaced from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Burma to other countries. Most of these Nizari Ismailis found new homes in Asia, Europe, and North America. Most of the initial resettlement problems were overcome rapidly by Nizari Ismailis due to their educational backgrounds and high rates of literacy, as well as the efforts of the host countries, along with support from Nizari Ismaili community programmes.
  
  Al-Husseini encouraged members of the Nizari Ismaili community in industrialised countries to support development initiatives in regions with significant Ismaili populations He described the role of the Imam as including both the interpretation of religious doctrine and attention to the social conditions of the community, a position he articulated in a 2006 speech in Germany. In public statements, he also emphasised the importance of engagement with the broader societies in which Ismailis reside.
  
  Al-Husseini was one of the several Shia signatories of the 2004 Amman Message which gives a broad foundation for defining those denominations of Islam that should be considered as part of the wider Muslim Ummah.
  
  During the Pope Benedict XVI Islam controversy of 2006, he said:
  
  I have two reactions to the pope's lecture: There is my concern about the degradation of relations and, at the same time, I see an opportunity. A chance to talk about a serious, important issue: the relationship between religion and logic.
  
  When he was asked about his view on the consumption of alcohol in a 1965 interview with The Sunday Times, al-Husseini said, in line with Muslim teaching:
  
  Our belief is that the thing which separates man from the animals is his power of thought. Anything that impedes this process is wrong. Therefore, alcohol is forbidden. I have never touched alcohol. But this, to me, is not a puritan prohibition. I don't want to drink. I've never wanted to drink. There's no pressure being placed on me by my religion.
  
  He became the first faith leader to address the Joint Session of the Parliament of Canada on 27 February 2014.
  
  Upon assuming the Imamate, al-Husseini stated his intention to continue his grandfather's efforts in developing modern institutions aimed at improving the welfare of the Nizari Ismaili community. Takht nashini (installation) ceremonies were held at multiple locations between 1957 and 1958. During these events, he addressed themes such as interethnic and interfaith cooperation, including appeals for improved relations among different communities in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
  
  In 1972, during the tenure of President Idi Amin, people of South Asian origin, including Nizari Ismailis, were expelled from Uganda. The South Asians, some of whose families had lived in Uganda for over 100 years, were given 90 days to leave the country. Al-Husseini phoned his long-time friend, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Trudeau's government agreed to allow thousands of Nizari Ismailis to immigrate to Canada. Al-Husseini also undertook urgent steps to facilitate the resettlement of Nizari Ismailis displaced from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Burma to other countries. Most of these Nizari Ismailis found new homes in Asia, Europe, and North America. Most of the initial resettlement problems were overcome rapidly by Nizari Ismailis due to their educational backgrounds and high rates of literacy, as well as the efforts of the host countries, along with support from Nizari Ismaili community programmes.
  
  Al-Husseini encouraged members of the Nizari Ismaili community in industrialised countries to support development initiatives in regions with significant Ismaili populations He described the role of the Imam as including both the interpretation of religious doctrine and attention to the social conditions of the community, a position he articulated in a 2006 speech in Germany. In public statements, he also emphasised the importance of engagement with the broader societies in which Ismailis reside.
  
  Al-Husseini was one of the several Shia signatories of the 2004 Amman Message which gives a broad foundation for defining those denominations of Islam that should be considered as part of the wider Muslim Ummah.
  
  During the Pope Benedict XVI Islam controversy of 2006, he said:
  
  I have two reactions to the pope's lecture: There is my concern about the degradation of relations and, at the same time, I see an opportunity. A chance to talk about a serious, important issue: the relationship between religion and logic.
  
  When he was asked about his view on the consumption of alcohol in a 1965 interview with The Sunday Times, al-Husseini said, in line with Muslim teaching:
  
  Our belief is that the thing which separates man from the animals is his power of thought. Anything that impedes this process is wrong. Therefore, alcohol is forbidden. I have never touched alcohol. But this, to me, is not a puritan prohibition. I don't want to drink. I've never wanted to drink. There's no pressure being placed on me by my religion.
  
  He became the first faith leader to address the Joint Session of the Parliament of Canada on 27 February 2014.