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

The Ismaili Centre in London is a religious, social, and cultural meeting palce for the Ismaili community in the United Kingdom. The Centre is the first religious and cultural centre to be specially designed and built for the Ismaili community in the West.

The religious function of the Centre is of primary importance and the Prayer Hall is building's focal point. In addition, the building also contains a smaller prayer hall, classsrooms for religious instruction, offices, and a multi-purpose social hall.

The Institute of Ismaili Studies was established in 1977 to promote scholarship of Muslim cultures and societies, historical as well as contemporary, leading to a better understanding of their relationship with other societies and faiths.
http://www.iis.ac.uk

second oldest university in England and the fourth oldest in Europe.

Your Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Your Excellencies, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen.

The following are excepts from a lecture on 'Islam and the West' given by Prince Charles, the Prince of W ales, at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, England on the 27th of October, 1993:

Some time ago, Anne Matheson of the Australian Women's Weekly interviewed Begum Salimah in London just before Her Highness's visit with Mowlana Hazar Imam to Australia where they were invited as specia guests of honour for the 1979 Melburne Cup.

Here is a condensed version of the interview and a glimpse into the life of Begum Sahiba as wife, mother and worker.

At her Paris house, the oldest known building within the shadow of Notre Dame cathedral and once an abbey, photographer Alec Murry and I went up a circular stone staircase from the monastic entrance below street level.

Source: Typescript (6 pp.)
Your Worships, Your Excellencies, My Lords, Ladies and Gentleman

It is a particular pleasure for me to be amongst so many friends of the Ismaili community in the United Kingdom.

I cannot help reflecting upon the history which brings us all together in the heart of London, when standing here in The Ismaili Centre, so close to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Canadian Ismaili notes with great sadness the passing away of Diwan Sir Eboo Pirbhai in London, England on Thursday, January 4, 1990 at the age of 85.
Diwan Sir Eboo was born in Bombay in 1905 and migrated with his family to East Africa in 1910. After receiving his education at the Duke of Gloucester (now Jamhuri High) School, he ventured into business.

The European Commission has announced its largest ever grant to a single non-governmental organization, committing ECU 14 million (US$ 15.7 million) to co-finance, with the Aga Khan Foundation (United Kingdom), community management of natural resources in rural India. The co-financing agreement provides funding to an eight-year programme in the State of Gujarat. Total financing for the programme is ECU 18.8 million (US$ 20 million), including ECU 4.8 million mobilised by AFK.

Queen Victoria had conferred the dignity of Highness on his grandfather. Elizabeth II did the same for the present Aga Khan.
When the previous Aga Khan died the following letter was sent to Karim, Aga Khan IV, by the Queen's Private Secretary:

*On this sad occasion of the death of His Highness the Aga Khan I am commanded to convey to you the deep sympathy of the Queen in the grief which you and the Ismaili people in many lands share in the passing of your Holy Imam.

September 30, 1987Your Excellencies My Lord Madam Mayor Ladies and Gentlemen It is a great honour for me to welcome Her Majesty the Queen of Jordan.
I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Her Majesty for having made this visit to London to open the exhibition of Mr Nicholas Egon's paintings of Jordan.

Jordan inhabited since the earliest ages known to man, is a land in which many great civilisations have flourished, each leaving a precious legacy.

Over 15000 Ismailis gathered at Olympia on Tuesday July 5, 1983 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee. During the visit, Mowlana Hazar Imam had private meetings with institutions such as Oxfam, the Overseas Development Administrator and the University of London.

President Sachedina, Leaders of the Jamat

Before I say things which are important I would like to remind you of the speech before dinner and ask you to make sure that there are no stray lions under your table. I was as unaware that I would speak after dinner as that ill-fated lion.

Prince Zahra graced with her presence the recent AKF (UK) Ball at London's Grosvenor House. Water for Life was the theme of the charity function, which attracted more than 900. Guests included representatives of government organizations and numerous donors who contributed to AKF projects in the developing world, most notably to major water management schemes in western India.

On Tuesday, the 30th of November 1993, the University of Wales marked the one hundredth anniversary of its foundation in a grand Centenary Ceremony at St. David's Hall, Cardiff where Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, as Chancellor of the University of Wales, conferred upon Mawlana Hazar Imam the honourary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) for Hazar Imam's patronage of education and academic research throughout the world.An honourary Doctor of Laws degree was also awarded to the President of Ireland, Mrs.

My Lord Mayor, Mr. Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Mowlana Hazar Imam calls for a more informed perception of other nations' cultures as an effective gateway to better understanding.
The Zamana Gallery, a 550 square meter exhibition area located in the Ismaili Center, London, was officially opened on June 25th by the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Gowrie, Minister for the Arts, in the presence of Mowlana Hazar Imam.

Mowlana Hazar Imam Calls for Greater Understanding of Islam

The British Prime Minister, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, officially opened the Ismaili centre in London on April 24th, 1985. Present at the ceremony were Mowlana Hazar Imam, Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, Diplomats and Leaders of the Ismaili Community from around the world.