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

Your Majesty
Honourable Ministers
Excellencies
Directors of the Prince Claus Fund
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with gratitude and admiration that I participate in this event today. It gives me the opportunity to express publicly the enormous respect in which I hold Prince Claus, and the very great importance I attach to the work of the Prince Claus Fund. I am saddened that Prince Claus cannot be with us tonight, and I am sure that all of you will join me in requesting Her Majesty The Queen to convey to His Royal Highness our warmest regards and best wishes.

Your Excellencies, Honourable Minister, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The welcome my wife and I have received here in Bangladesh has been heartwarming and I sincerely thank you, Mr, Minister, for the kindness of your remarks with regard to my family's work and ideals. Our ideals and those of Bangladesh are both inspired by the same faith, which lays such emphasis on the brotherhood of man. The improvement of the human condition must be a principal obligation of every Muslim, whether those he helps are of his own faith or not.

Mr. Chairman,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Distinguished guests,

Thanks you Mr. McDonald for your very kind words, and for protecting me from eggs and tomatoes for having studied at Le Rosey.

Let me say what an honour and pleasure it is to share this important day with this graduating class, with your faculty, your parents, your alumni. I congratulate you most warmly for all your successes, not only in your academic endeavours but also in the many fields where you have demonstrated exceptional talent. In music and art, in drama and sports, and in so many other areas of endeavour.