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2007, July 11: Gouvieux, France - His Highness the Aga Khan addressing leaders of the Ismaili Muslim community who had come to pay homage on behalf of the community on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.File size: 2.65MB / Photo credit: AKDN/Aziz Islamshah (2007)

2007, July 11: Gouvieux, france - His Highness the Aga Khan accompanied by members of his family outside his residence, waiting to welcome leaders of the global Ismaili Muslim community. From Left to Right: Ilian Boyden, Sara Boyden, Prince Aly Muhammad, Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim, Prince Karim Aga Khan, Prince Amyn Muhammad, Prince Hussain, Princess Khaliya, Princess Aliya, Princess Yasmin
File size: 2.86MB / Photo credit: AKDN/Gary Otte (2007)

2007, July 11: gouvieux, France - His Highness the Aga Khan wearing ceremonial robe outside his residence as he greets the leaders of the global Ismaili Muslim community.
File size: 2.11MB / Photo credit: AKDN/Gary Otte (2007)

The Golden Jubilee Emblem

At the centre of the Emblem is the Imam's crest. The fifty crescents surrounding the Crest represent the half century of the spiritual leadership of Mawlana Hazar Imam. The outer ring embodies a verse from the Holy Qur'an (Surah 4, Ayat 1) rendered in calligraphy in the Fatimid Kufic script and reads as follows:

O mankind !
Be careful of your duty to your Lord
Who created you from a single soul
and from it created its mate
and from them twain hath spread abroad
a multiple of men and women

Prince Hussein Aga Khan pictured outside the Ismaili Centre in London, England at the occasion of the Islamic Art Exhibition which was attended by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and other dignitaries including His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan

Prince Rahim Aga Khan and Princess Khaliya at the Ismaili Cente, London, England during the Islamic Art Exhibition presented by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and attended by H.R.H The Prince of Wales and other dignitaries

The Ismaili community around the world is celebrating the golden jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan’s ascension to the throne of the Imamat on July 11, 1957, at age 21 while a student at Harvard University. His grandfather Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah or Aga Khan III preceded him.

He was chosen because his grandfather wanted to be succeeded by somebody young who had grown up during a new age and who could provide a new outlook during his time as Imam.

Following the Aga Khan’s leadership, each community of Ismailis contributes locally and internationally to making the world a better place. Focusing particularly on developing nations in Asia and Africa, the Aga Khan through the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network has built over 300 educational institutions, including two universities, 200 clinics and health centers, five hospitals and other institutions dedicated to improving living conditions for the poor of the world, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.