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

Prince Karim Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's Shia Ismaili Moslems, on Saturday opened a $30 million Ismaili centre in Lisbon to promote economic and social development programmes and cultural activities.

The building, which combines Islamic and Iberian architectural styles and is decorated with hand-painted tiles, has a prayer hall for Portugal's Shia Ismaili Moslems.

It also has classrooms, meeting rooms and exhibition spaces.

A similar centre is located in central London.

Your Excellency Mr. President of the Republic,
Your Excellency the President of the Parliament,
Your Excellency the Representative of the Prime Minister,
Your Worship the Mayor of the City of Lisbon,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,

Durante una ceremonia celebrada en el palacio lisboeta de Bélen, el Presidente Jorge Sampaio de Portugal condecoró al príncipe Karim Aga Khan con la insignia de la Gran Cruz del Mérito. Al solemne acto asistieron la esposa del Presidente portugués, Maria José Ritta, y la del Aga Khan, Begum Inaara.

Le 11 juillet dernier, l'Aga Khan IV, chef spirituel de quinze millions d'Ismaéliens, et sa nouvelle épouse, la Begum Inaara, étaient à Lisbonne. Ils ont inauguré, en présence du président du Portugal, Jorge Sampaio, le Centre ismaélien de Lisbonne, premier du genre sur le contient européen. Hors sa vocation de lieu de rassemblement religieux, le centre accueille également le programme de développement du prince en faveur des déshérités.

The centre is a complex of buildings and gardens composed of three areas : institutional, community and religious. The centre was designed by the architect Raj Rewal in co-operation with the Portuguese architect Frederico Valsassina.

The complex covers an area of 18 000 square meters, of wich 5 500 square meters are built spaces and the remaining 12 500 is occupied by green spaces and gardens.

The Ismaili Centre assimilates in itself architectural styles and influences from Lisbon's Mosterio dos Jeronimos, India's Fatehpur Sikri and Spain's Alhambra.

1. RECEPTION

A shared social ethic, underwritten by Africa's faiths, can help resolve many of the problems afflicting Africa today.'
In an address yesterday to a special session on 'Africa's Rebirth' at the XIIIth International Meeting of Peoples and Religions, His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims, underlined the need for a stronger basis for civil society to be able to address problems of conflict, corruption and the AIDS epidemic.

The Aga Khan criticises the international community for the creation of the Taliban and calls on the world to unite in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
The spiritual leader of the Shi'ite Ismailite Community made his declaration in an interview with the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Serra in which he said that the Taliban regime is a product of the civilized world and the international community.

H.H. The Aga Khan is greeted by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence D José Policarpo, at the Patriarchal House in Lisbon. Photo: Ricardo Oliveira and Nuno Saraiva

His Highness the Aga Khan meeting His Eminence D. Jose Policarpo, the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon and Chancellor of the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP).

His Highness the Aga Khan arrives on a one day visit to Lisbon to meet with His Eminence D. Jose Policarpo, the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon and Chancellor of the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), and Portugal's Foreign Minister Luis Amado.

His Highness the Aga Khan and Portugal's Foreign Minister Luis Amado after the signing of an international agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat.

Aga Khan and Foreign Minister Luis Amado sign an international agreement between the Ismaili Imamat and the Portuguese Republic. Photo: Ricardo Oliveira and Nuno Saraiva

Aga Khan arrives at the Portuguese Ministry of State and Foreign Affairs with Foreign Minister Luis Amado for the signing of the international agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat. They are accompanied by AKDN Resident Representative Nazim Ahmad and President Amirali Bhanji of the Ismaili Council for Portugal. Photo: Ricardo Oliveira and Nuno Saraiva

Aga Khan is invested as a Foreign Member, Class of Humanities of the Sciences Academy of Lisbon. Photo: Ricardo Oliveira and Nuno Saraiva

His Highness the Aga Khan speaks to the distinguished audience at Portugal's Academy of Sciences after being admitted as Foreign Member, Class of Humanities.

Following the signing of the agreement H.H. The Aga Khan and Foreign Minister Luis Amado shake hands. Photo: Ricardo Oliveira and Nuno Saraiva

H.H. The Aga Khan is welcomed by Foreign Minister Luis Amado at the Portuguese Ministry of State and Foreign Affairs. Photo: Ricardo Oliveira and Nuno Saraiva