The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews has chosen U.S. singer and activist Harry Belafonte to receive its International Diversity Award.

The interfaith group that works to eradicate discrimination and prejudice will honour Belafonte at its 60th anniversary gala in Toronto on Nov. 22.

Harry Belafonte, shown in November 2006, remains active in humanitarian causes and has been a vocal critic of the Bush administration.
(Danny Moloshok/Associated Press)

Belafonte, 80, popularized Caribbean music in the 1950s and was an early supporter of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. and a friend of Martin Luther King.

He has also supported many humanitarian causes, drawing attention to Africa and has been a prominent critic of the Bush administration and the Iraq War.

The first African-American to win an Emmy, he also has won several Grammy awards.

Belafonte "is being celebrated for his contribution to the advancement of human rights and dignities," the council said a release.

The Asper family of Manitoba and the Lakhani family of Toronto also will be honoured at the gala with the Human Relations Award "for their enormous contribution to the fabric of Canadian culture and society."

The Aspers own multimedia giant CanWest Global Communications and make philanthropic contributions through the Asper Foundation.

The Lakhani family, led by philanthropist Hassanali Lakhani, has supported the Toronto Islamic community through the Noor Cultural Centre, founded in 2001.

With files from the Canadian Press