Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

London, 22 October 2012 - As part of the Synergos Institute's University for a Night series, His Highness the Aga Khan was awarded the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award at a ceremony in London.

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/xKvpL1zf62M

David Rockefeller, in a letter addressed to the Aga Khan which was read to the audience, described the reasons for awarding this honour: “Through the Aga Khan Development Network, you have leveraged the social conscience of Islam in ways that benefit people of all faiths, promoting tolerance, pluralism and broad-based development.”

Deforestation is one of the great challenges of our times. Scientists estimate about half of all the forests that once covered the Earth are gone. The United Nations Environment Programme tells us that 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed around the globe every year. At that rate a forest the size of Kenya would be cut in less than six years. A forest the size of Uganda – three…

This year is the UN International Year of Forests. It should remind us of the importance of forests in our lives.

Addressing the concluding session of the two-day conference on Indigenous Philanthropy, Prince Karim Aga Khan said that philanthropic funding of social development is a new phenomenon extending increasingly to institutions engaged in human resources development. The conference was attended by about 300 participants representing reputed NGOs, experts from home and abroad, besides a number of donor agencies and foreign diplomats of whom the Canadian High Commissioner in Pakistan was seen as a guardian spirit.

The Qatar Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe lived up to all expectations on Sunday at ParisLongchamp, with a thrilling battle in the final 200 metres between the Irish favourite Minnie Hauk (Frankel) and the French contender Daryz, whose sire Sea The Stars won the Arc in 2009.

After enjoying a perfect trip behind the early leaders Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) and Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black), Minnie Hauk was the first to make her move — closely tracked all the while by Daryz.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, owner

This prestigious international architecture award is presented once every three years, with a total prize fund of $1 million.

More than 150 officials, architects, and scholars from around the world are expected to participate in the event.

The award was first presented in Central Asia in 1992 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Established in 1977, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture is one of the most significant international prizes in the field of architecture. It aims to support projects that enhance cultural heritage, architecture, and the living environment of Muslim communities.

Darkhana in Kampala was the site of a milestone moment on 12 September 2025, as Mawlana Hazar Imam graced the Jamat in Uganda with didar.

Mawlana Hazar Imam conveyed guidance and blessings to the Jamat across the world, and expressed thanks to volunteers for their efforts to organise the visit. He showered blessings on the Jamat and reminded us of his immense love and affection. Hazar Imam later granted a separate mulaqat to young members of the Jamat at Kololo Jamatkhana in Kampala.

The Enabling Environment Conference entitled 'The Enabling Environment for Effective Private Sector Contribution to Development in Sub-Saharan Africa' was held in Nairobi, Kenya under the auspices of the Aga Khan Foundation (Geneva), AKFED (Switzerland), the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Overseas Development Administration (U.K), C.I.D.A and other private Kenya-based companies. 'Faces of Development' was the title of a display of over 100 colour photographs of Aga Khan Foundation projects.

Our beloved 50th Holy Imam Shah Rahim arrived in Nairobi on Monday August 25th 2025. He was greeted by Kenya Government officials and dignitaries from the Ismaili community. Hundreds of other Ismaili community members were also present at the airport to welcome Hazar Imam who had arrived to grant Holy Didar to Kenya Jamat. This was Hazar Imam's first visit to Kenya after His inauguration as our 50th Imam.

The Global Encounters Festival 2025, organized by the Ismaili Muslim community, will be held in Dubai from July 20-27, according to the.ismaili. The festival aims to unite the Jamat through experiences that celebrate their shared identity, global presence, and individual talents. It will feature events for all ages, including GE Spark for younger attendees and opportunities for youth to participate in international camps and internships.

The festival was attended by thousands of athletes and spectators from around the globe.

At a convocation ceremony on 9 June for the Faculty of Arts and Science at Concordia University, Montreal, Princess Zahra was awarded an honorary doctorate for her contributions over many decades to improving the quality of life of vulnerable communities around the world.

Concordia University Chancellor Gina Cody presided over the ceremony, and Professor Anne Wade formally presented Princess Zahra’s achievements to graduands, faculty, and guests.

'I, as imam of the Ismailis, have responsibility for and supreme authority over the community. This means taking the lead in the practice of the religion but also engaging in ongoing activities to improve the Ismailis' quality of life and to help 'every Ismaili in the world who is in difficulties'. Said the Aga Khan to Caroline Pigozzi in a candid interview published in Paris Match in French. The Interview was taken in India in 2004 during the AKAA ceremonies.

Paris Match Interview (4th), Caroline Pigozzi, ‘The Confessions Of The Aga Khan’ (Paris, France)

H.H. The Aga Khan, Mowlana Hazar Imam wrote during the visit to Sialkot "I congratulate you for a clean, neat and attractive Health Center and I am sure that with continued care and hard work, all My Jamath will become fully conscious of the necessity for proper medical attention at all times. Congratulations to all.
26th November 1964

Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah in His last and Final Will and Testament said " I am convinced that it is in the best interest of the Shia Moslem Ismailian Community that I should be succeeded by a young man who has been brought up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age and who brings a new outlook on life to his office as Imam. For these reasons and although he is not now one of my heirs, I appoint my grandson Karim, the son of My son ALY SALOMONE KHAN to succeed to the title of AGA KHAN and to be the Imam and Pir of all my Shia Ismailian followers

H.H. the Aga Khan met with around 10,000 of his followers at the Diamond Jubilee Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at 2:30 P.M.. Talking about the wonderful tradition of volunteering services and of volunteers, he said '..there are some that I see with my eyes and some that I feel with my heart'. . The Daily Nation (Nairobi - Kenya) on 19 July 2002 also mentions the presence of H.H. The Aga Khan at the International Investment Round table meeting in Dar es Salaam on previous day with a photo of both the Aga Khan and World Bank President James Wolfensohn.

In His Last Will and Testament, our 48th Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah appointed "Karim, the son of my son" to be the Imam and Pir of all Ismailis

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta

Professor George Magoha, Cabinet Secretary for Education

Professor Chacha, Chairman of the Commission for University Education

Excellencies

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

It is with the greatest satisfaction and the deepest gratitude that I accept the Kenya Charter of the Aga Khan University. My only regret is that, due to the pandemic, I cannot be present in person to receive the instruments of authority, and to celebrate this momentous occasion in the University’s history.

Boston Globe. The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, spoke at MIT's Media Laboratory with the presidents of Harvard and MIT at the debut of ArchNet. With just a personal computer and Internet connection, scholars, students and professionals in the developing world will have access to a Web site with more than 600,000 images, and 6,000 members in 110 countries. ''Historically, the Islamic world has stood out in the area of design, but if you look at higher education in the Islamic world,'' there are problems, the Aga Khan said.

Khorog, Tajikistan and Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, 21 June 2021 - Against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, the University of Central Asia (UCA) celebrated the achievements of its inaugural cohort of graduates: the Class of 2021. The live-streamed Convocation brought together students, family members, faculty and well-wishers across multiple countries and time zones around the world.

Muslim center opens soon in Sugar Land
By TARA DOOLEY
June 19, 2002
Houston Chronicle Religion Writer

The Aga Khan, philanthropist and spiritual leader of a branch of Islam, will open a Muslim house of worship and community center Sunday in Sugar Land.

The $10 million Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land will sit on 11.5 acres of property on First Colony Boulevard. It will house a collection of Ismaili art, a cultural center, and conference and prayer rooms.

2008, June 10: American Friends of the Louvre Gala

PARIS - JUNE 10: Princesse Zahra, the Aga Khan and Princess Guillaume of Luxembourg attend a party hosted by Becca Cason Thrash, to honour The American Friends of The Louvre on June 10, 2008 in Paris. (Photo by Michel Dufour/WireImage)

Hazar Imam's racehorse, Shergar, won the Epsom Derby by a distance of 10 lengths in a spectacular display.

667 students in three continents received their degrees and listened to speeches by the Aga Khan and Melinda Gates

The first-ever global convocation ceremony of the Aga Khan University (AKU) was live-streamed to a worldwide audience on Saturday, as 667 students in three continents received their degrees and listened to speeches by the Aga Khan, Chief Guest Melinda French Gates and AKU President Firoz Rasul.

The Convocation was attended also by Prince Amyn, Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Our Chief Guest, Melinda French Gates
Chairman Haile Debas and the Members of the Board of Trustees
President Firoz Rasul
Provost, Deans, Faculty and Staff of the University
Generous donors and well wishers of the University from around the world
Distinguished guests
Parents, family members and Graduates​

It is a great privilege to join you today in recognising and celebrating the Class of 2020.

The 2021 AKU Global Convocation Ceremony was held across 13 time zones world-wide virtually. It was attended by Hazar Imam who delivered the Chancellor's address. Melinda French Gates delivered her address as the Chief Guest. Firoz Rassul in his opening address mentioned the various partners such as Johnson & Johnson, Harvard University and many other prominent organizations who had worked with the AKU over the many years.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Amyn Mohammed, Princess Zahra, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad

May 28, 2010 : H.H. The Aga Khan will be attending the foundation ceremony of the High Profile Jamatkhana and the Ismaili museum in Toronto. The Ismaili Centre is an 80,000 square foot two-storey building housing a Prayer Hall, entrance foyers and cloakrooms, social hall, library, meeting rooms, administrative offices, main council chamber room, associated facilities such as washrooms, kitchens, etc. and a two level underground parking garage with a capacity of approximately 300 parking spaces.