Meritocracy applies to institutions, to countries. I have been concerned at whether our institutions would themselves become meritocratic, and if they were going to become meritocratic....I hope that as time goes by, you will be more and more demanding upon yourselves, upon your institutions, more and more eager to bring competence and knowledge and wisdom and understanding from generation after generation into these institutions.

In your high intellectual world many of you are fortunate to have the time to reflect on the great aspects of Prophet Mohammed's life. It is a blessing that many a Muslim would wish for, but due to circumstances beyond his control, indeed the very nature of modern life, he can

My Jamat will be aware of the innovative work undertaken by the Aga Khan University in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. These efforts, alongside those of all other Imamat and Jamati institutions globally, are worthy of the highest admiration, and I convey my special loving blessings to all my spiritual children who, in the capacity of either healthcare professionals or volunteers, continue to spare no effort in providing treatment, care, and support to my Jamat.

Two recent events of special happiness for me as Imam-of-the-Time are the granting of the Charter to the Aga Khan University by the Kenyan government, and the first convocation of the University of Central Asia, which was established through an Ismaili Imamat treaty with the governments of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. I hope that my Jamat will share in my happiness and that, together, we will continue to make good progress in developing new institutions and programmes for excellence in higher education and research.