Aziz Khakhi
Dr., Social Justice Advocate, Community Leader
About Aziz Khakhi
Dr. Abdulaziz 'Aziz' Khaki (1929-2012) was a prominent Canadian Muslim leader, social justice advocate, and community builder.
Born in Zanzibar and raised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, he was active in the independence movement and served as Secretary General of the Tanzania Welfare Society, establishing a Muslim secondary school system. After fleeing political repression, he immigrated to Canada in 1973.
In British Columbia, he worked with the Pacific Interfaith Citizenship Association and led the Committee for Racial Justice. He was a respected public face of Islam in Vancouver and Canada, serving as an adviser to the BCMA, Vice President of the Council of Muslim Communities of Canada, and Vice President of the Canadian Muslim Federation. He co-founded the International Development & Relief Foundation (IDRF).
His public service included co-chairing the Provincial Committee on Diversity and Policing and serving on advisory committees for the RCMP and Treasury Board. He received the Federal Minister of Multiculturalism Award on Excellence in Race Relations and the Governor General's Award on the 125th Anniversary of Canada. In 2000, he was recognized as one of the 25 most influential spiritual leaders in British Columbia. He received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from St. Marks at UBC in 2009.
Awards and Recognition
Federal Minister of Multiculturalism Award on Excellence in Race Relations, Governor General’s Award on the 125th Anniversary of Canada, Recognized as one of the 25 most influential spiritual leaders of the past 100 years in British Columbia (2000), Honorary Doctor of Letters from St. Marks at UBC (2009).
Key Roles
Secretary General of Tanzania Welfare Society, Leader of Committee for Racial Justice, Vice President of Council of Muslim Communities of Canada, Co-founder of IDRF, Co-chair of Provincial Committee on Diversity and Policing.