Barakah is dedicated to Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat – a Hereditary Divine Institution from the Time of the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali
2010 Photo Flashback: Qatar, Home of 2022 FIFA World Cup, Was Host to the Most Prestigious Prize Ceremony in Architecture in the Presence of His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims
The nature of the Award is to help shape best practices for the built environments of Muslims and their neighbors. Our mandate must therefore include a wide range of architectural settings — not only mosques, museums and monuments — but also schools and hospitals, industrial spaces and public markets, parks and thoroughfares, and, of course, a variety of residential habitats — His Highness the Aga Khan, Qatar, November 24, 2010.
Top row left: His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the then Emir of Qatar presents a certificate to Professor Oleg Grabar (d. January 2011) who was awarded the Chairman’s Award at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture ceremony held on November 24, 2010, in Doha, Qatar, as Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan look on. In other photos, winners of 5 projects receive their Aga Khan Award for Architecture Certificates from His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Mawlana Hazar Imam. Top row right: Abdullatif bin Abdulmalik Al-Sheikh for the Wadi Hanifa Wetlands Project. Centre row: Antonia Vallejo Triano for the Madinat al-Zahra Muesum in Cordoba Spain, and Belgacem Saasouki for the Revitalization of the Hypercentre of Tunis, Tunisia. Bottom row: Hong Lizhuan for the Bridge School in Xiashi, Fujian Province, China and Yalsin Ayaydin for Ipeykyol Textile Factory. Photo collage by Barakah from photographs taken by Gary Otte/AKDN.
Qatar is currently hosting the beautiful 2022 FIFA World Cup, which got underway with group matches on November 21, 2022.
Twelve years ago, on November 24, 2010, Qatar was host to the ceremony for the distribution of prizes for the 11th cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. We are happy to bring back memories of that event while the world’s attention is on Qatar and the football (soccer) World Cup.
While this post presents a selection of photographs from Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Qatar in 2010, we invite our readers to click on The Ismaili for further details of the 2010 ceremony, including Mawlana Hazar Imam’s speech as well a video of the event.
In November 2010, Doha, Qatar, was the venue for the Award Ceremony of the 11th cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The event was particularly special for members of the Qatar Ismaili Jamat, who were jubilant over Mawlana Hazar Imam’s first visit to their country. “Even though there is no physical deedar, we are content that Mawlana Hazar Imam has come to Qatar and blessed this land with barakah,” said one young man, echoing a sentiment that was heard from many in the Jamat. There was also excitement that Prince Amyn and Prince Hussain had accompanied the Imam. Photograph: The Ismaili.
Even though there is no physical deedar (generally, a glimpse of the Imam in a religious setting), we are content that Mawlana Hazar Imam has come to Qatar and blessed this land with barakah — Qatar Jamati member, November 2010.
In November 2010, Doha, Qatar, was the venue for the Award Ceremony of the 11th cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The event was particularly special for members of the Qatar Ismaili Jamat, who were jubilant over Mawlana Hazar Imam’s first visit to their country. “Even though there is no physical deedar, we are content that Mawlana Hazar Imam has come to Qatar and blessed this land with barakah,” said one young man, echoing a sentiment that was heard from many in the Jamat. There was also excitement that Prince Amyn and Prince Hussain had accompanied the Imam. Photograph: The Ismaili.
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His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, then the Emir of Qatar, greeting Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture ceremony held in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, November 24, 2010. Photograph: AKDN/Gary Otte.
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His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, then the Emir of Qatar, and Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, arrive at the ceremony for the 2010 Aga Khan Award for Architecture at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, November 24, 2010. Photograph: Gary Otte/AKDN.
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Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority, Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, then Emir of Qatar, and Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony in the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar, November 24, 2010. Photograph: Gary Otte/AKDN.
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Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, in conversation with Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, the then Qatar’s Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage. Photograph: Gary Otte/AKDN.
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In looking at the places we have met and the projects we have honoured, we also see enormous diversity. Diversity, in fact, is part of the essence of Islam. The unity of the Ummah does not imply sameness. Working in an Islamic context need not confine us to constraining models — His Highness the Aga Khan, Qatar, November 24, 2010. Please read full speech
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The 5 winning projects of the 2010 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Clockwise from top left: Madinat Al Zahra Museum, Cordoba, Spain; Revitalization of Recent Heritage of Tunis, Tunisia; The Wadi Hanifa Wetlands in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Ipekyol Textile Factory, Edirne, Turkey; and Bridge School, Li Xiaodong Atelier, Xiashi, China. Collage prepared by Barakah from Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) photographs.
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In his speech, Mawlana Hazar Imam raised the following concerns that he felt needed further discussion:
What does architectural excellence mean in the context of Islamic traditions and aspirations? How do we reach a wider array of constituents? Can we expand our social and economic relevance? And how do we best employ innovative technologies?
These concerns, of course, will lead us to further questions. How and where do we teach about architecture? How can we anticipate and occasionally help steer the processes of change? How do we best reward and learn from those who are most successful? How can we share our lessons with others outside the Ummah?
In addressing all these issues, I believe we can, indeed, make our continuing conversation more relevant and more productive — remembering always the Quranic commandment that humankind must take responsibility for shaping and reshaping our earthly environment, employing Allah’s gifts of time and talent as good stewards of His Creation — His Highness the Aga Khan, Qatar, November 24, 2010. Please read full speech
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Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, speaking to the assembled guests at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture ceremony, held at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar on November 24, 2010. Photograph: Gary Otte/AKDN.
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Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the then Emir of Qatar, and Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, with the recipients of the 2010 Aga Khan Award for Architecture at the ceremony on November 24, 2010, in the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar. Photograph: AKDN/Gary Otte.
Date posted: December 2, 2022.
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Beautiful write up, excellent share and so heartwarming!
Thanking you kindly for bringing it to our attention. Profoundly so grateful Malik – amazing the time and effort you have devoted is truly appreciated. 🙏❤️🤗
Barakah 
Beautiful write up, excellent share and so heartwarming!
Thanking you kindly for bringing it to our attention. Profoundly so grateful Malik – amazing the time and effort you have devoted is truly appreciated. 🙏❤️🤗
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