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

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims, announced the first Ismaili Centre to be built in the Middle East. Ismaili Centre, Dubai, when completed, will be comparable in scope and standing to existing major centres in London, Vancouver and Lisbon, one underway in Dushanbe and other in advanced planning stages in Toronto. The foundation ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and President of Department of Civil Aviation representing Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The Centre, designed by Egyptian architect Rami El Dahana and likely to cost US$18 million, is to be built on 13,200 square metres of land gifted by Crown Prince.