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London, United Kingdom, 4 February 2016 - His Highness the Aga Khan today called for the establishment of ‘islands of stability’ in war-ravaged Syria that could provide areas of relative safety in the midst of conflict.

“We seek to create ‘islands of stability’, where there is public consensus, in the face of war. It is my conviction that ‘islands of stability’ can be replicated wherever security permits. Investing in them will help to prevent displacement of people and anchor communities that would otherwise flee as refugees,” he said.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Co-hosts of the Conference on Supporting Syria and the Region,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I thank the co-hosts for organising this much needed initiative to deepen the understanding of, and garner international support for the peoples of Syria, Alongside all those present here today, I am deeply distressed over the indiscriminate and widespread devastation of life and property, including that of irreplaceable cultural assets which are the manifestation of Syria’s stunningly rich pluralistic history.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester
Mr David Thackray, President, ICOMOS-UK
Mr Gregory Hodkinson, Chairman, Arup
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

What a pleasure it is for me to be marking with you the 50th anniversary of ICOMOS – happy birthday!

Yours is an organisation for which I have long had enormous respect. And I have noted with interest the impressive, recent development of your Cultural Heritage Manifesto.

ICOMOS-UK To Launch Cultural Heritage Manifesto in 50th Anniversary Year

Posted By: Sarah Yates
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In its 50th anniversary year, and at a time when our global heritage is ever more under threat of destruction, ICOMOS-UK (the UK National Committee of ICOMOS: International Council on Monuments and Sites) is calling for a new approach to the way we all sustain, promote and benefit from cultural heritage through the launch of its landmark Cultural Heritage Manifesto.

Maki and Associates has submitted plans for their first UK building. As the Architects' Journal reports, the Japanese firm has designed a nine story, 8,780-square-meter educational space for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) - a group of non-denominational agencies focused on improving the welfare of people in developing areas in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The predominately limestone building pulls cues from its context; its facade is derived from the space within, which in turn responds to the surrounding Kings Cross site.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Distinguished guests; governors, faculty, staff and students of The Institute of Ismaili Studies, families and very young children of the graduates; ladies and gentlemen,

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Mr. Chairman, the Right Honorable Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond
Honourable President Ghani,
Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to express my gratitude to the Governments of Afghanistan and the United Kingdom for co-hosting this Conference. We welcome the reform agenda of the Government of National Unity, and we re-affirm our commitment to the peoples of Afghanistan in their journey towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous future.

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Mr. Chairman, the Right Honorable Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond
Honourable President Ghani,
Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to express my gratitude to the Governments of Afghanistan and the United Kingdom for co-hosting this Conference. We welcome the reform agenda of the Government of National Unity, and we re-affirm our commitment to the peoples of Afghanistan in their journey towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous future.

Aga Khan Urges Support for Civil Society at Afghanistan Conference

Please also see: Statement by His Highness the Aga Khan
For more information, please see: AKDN Activities in Afghanistan

London, United Kingdom, 4 December 2014 – His Highness the Aga Khan on Thursday (December 4th) reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network’s commitment to Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of civil society in securing the country’s prosperous future.

Your Royal Highnesses
Your Excellencies
Mr. Mayor
My Lord
Ladies and Gentlemen

Royal approval: The Aga Khan (left) greets Queen Elizabeth II, who gave him the title 'High Highness' in 1957. Also pictured is former French president Jacques Chirac (centre) and the Duke of Edinburgh (right)

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.

TRADUCTION FRANCAISE: Et PLUS VOIR PLUS BAS

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.”

AN Islamic centre bankrolled by one of the world’s richest men has become the latest potential tenant to show interest in taking up some of the empty space at the King’s Cross Railway Lands development.

The Aga Khan, the hereditary leader of a branch of Muslim worshippers, funds a university and cultural centre based on the Euston Road.

People looking for property to rent in London may be interested in the possibility of a new educational facility at a multi-use development opening in Central London.

According to Property Week, the Aga Khan, the hereditary leader of the largest group of Ismaili followers of the Shia faith, is in talks with King's Cross Central is finalising details for opening an Ismaili studies and cultural affairs centre at one of its premises.

The Aga Khan hopes to build an Islamic cultural 'hub' in London.

The Aga Khan suffered a humiliating defeat in 2002 when his plans to build a museum of Islamic art on one of London's most desirable sites were thrown out, even though his £24 million bid was twice the size of any other.

The racehorse breeder and spiritual leader to more than four million Ismaili Muslims was said to have been furious with what he saw as unfair and xenophobic treatment of his philanthropy, and signalled that would turn his back on this country.

The Aga Khan IV is in advanced talks to create a centre for Ismaili studies and cultural affairs at London's £4bn King's Cross scheme.

It is thought that the Aga Khan Foundation and King’s Cross Central — the joint venture between Argent, London & Continental Railways and landowner DHL-Exel - are finalising details of an agreement to develop the proposed centre at the 67 acre site.