Reports on this page compiled and prepared by MALIK MERCHANT

Continuing our dedicated news coverage of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and his family members, we present a fresh page for 2024. This page is divided into two parts: Part 1 for events between January 1 and July 31 (click on the link) and Part 2 — this page — for events from August 1 to December 31, 2024. We are committed to providing comprehensive coverage, including stories from earlier years. Please click 2023 and 2021-2022, which contain anchor links for readers to zero in on a specific news item.

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PART II: AUGUST 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2024, NEWS COVERAGE — ANCHOR LINKS (CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE)

• July 31- August 3, 2024: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan in Gujarat, India
• August 13-17, 2024: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan in Nairobi, Kenya
• September 10, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Meets Swiss Foreign Minister
• September 10-13, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan in India
• September 26, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Hosted by Toronto Mayor at City Hall
• October 28, 2024: His Highness the Aga Khan is Honoured with the Mostar Peace Connection Award
• November 4-7, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Attends 2024 Earthshot in Cape Town
• November 11, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Prince Rahim at Paris Peace Forum
• November 16, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Attends COP29 Dialogue in Azerbaijan
• November 27, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Attends the 10th Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations
• December 2, 2024: Horse Racing Ireland Honours His Highness the Aga Khan for Contribution to the Industry
• December 17, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Attends Al Burda Award Ceremony in UAE

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DECEMBER 17, 2024: PRINCE RAHIM AGA KHAN IN UAE FOR 18TH EDITION OF AL BURDA AWARD CEREMONY

Prince Rahim Aga Khan, representing the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), attended the 18th edition of the Al Burda Award ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Culture of the United Arab Emirates on December 17, 2024, at the Louvre in Abu Dhabi. The 18th Edition of the Burda Award celebrated the aesthetics of Islamic culture by honouring the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the concept of ‘Al-Noor (Light).

The name Al Burda is derived from the famous “Poem of the Mantle” (Qasida Al Burda), composed by the 13th-century Egyptian mystic Al-Busiri in praise of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny). The prize is usually open to poets, calligraphers and artists whose works are inspired by the Prophet Muhammed, the Qur’an and Hadiths across three main categories: poetry, Arabic calligraphy and ornamentation.

According to the UAE Ministry of Culture’s website, the 18th edition was inspired by the Qur’anic verse in Surah Al-Ma’idah: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.” — 5:15

The Ministry explains that the verse “represents the arrival of Prophet Mohammed — Peace be upon him — and that he brought the light to people, and that he received the book of Allah, The Holy Qur’an, through Gabriel (peace be upon him). With the guiding power of the light, the Prophet (peace be upon him) teaches us how to walk the path of truth and contribute to spreading goodness in the world.”

[The Shia Ismailis refer to their Hereditary Imams, who are directly descended from the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be on him and his progeny), as bearers of the Divine Light. Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the current 49th Hereditary Imam, in an interview with the London Sunday Times published in its Weekly Review section on December 12, 1965, said, “Since my grandfather, the last Aga Khan, died, I have been the bearer of the Nur – a word which means ‘The Light.’ The Nur has been handed down in direct descent from the Prophet. But my work and responsibilities overflow into the practical side of life.” — Ed.]

Prince Rahim’s presence highlighted the AKDN’s shared commitment with the UAE to fostering cultural dialogue and advancing pluralism through the arts. The award ceremony included musical performances from Sufi and other traditions showcasing Muslim cultures’ pluralism. Workshops and discussions also allowed participants to explore the intersections of tradition and modernity in Islamic art.

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Alongside the ceremony, a special exhibition marks 20 years of the Al Burda Award. It has been curated by three young Emirati museum professionals who spent four weeks earlier this year in a capacity-building residency programme at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

“It is an immense pleasure to be back in the UAE and to have the privilege of witnessing the beautiful and inspiring creativity of artists brought together by the Al Burda Award” said Prince Rahim. “Today’s ceremony highlights the importance of pluralism and the great potential of art and culture to bring peoples together for peace and understanding. We deeply value our partnership with the UAE and the Emirati people.”

Speaking at the event, His Excellency Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, said: “This new initiative of the Al Burda grant programme aims to advance Islamic arts through promising and constructive global partnerships. We applaud the fruitful collaboration between the UAE Ministry of Culture and the Aga Khan Museum.”

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This year, the award also hosted Morocco as the guest of honour and presented the Moroccan National School for Arts with an appreciation award.

During his visit, Prince Rahim also met with Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Her Excellency Reem al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, to discuss topics of mutual interest.

External links: For additional coverage about the Al Burda Awards, please click on the following links:

• United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture: The Al Burda Award
• AKDN: Prince Rahim Aga Khan attends 18th Al Burda Award Ceremony (download PDF HERE)
• The Ismaili: Prince Rahim attends Al Burda Award Ceremony
• The National News: Al Burda Award announces 2024 winners

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December 2, 2024: His Highness the Aga Khan — “One of Us” — is Honoured by Horse Racing Ireland

We owe His Highness the Aga Khan so much and I hope that tonight’s recognition goes some way towards acknowledging his immense contribution, wonderful generosity and an unwavering support of our industry — Suzanne Eade

In a significant Annual Awards event celebrating Irish racing and breeding held in Dublin on Monday, December 2, 2024, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced 10 winners of the 22nd Horse Racing Ireland Awards. Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, was announced as the recipient of the Contribution to the Industry Award. As seen in the picture accompanying the HRI Press Release of December 4, Princess Zahra Aga Khan accepted the Award on behalf of her father.

In the Press Release HRI Chairman Nicky Hartery is quoted as saying: “With these awards, we celebrate something more profound than achievements and investments. His Highness the Aga Khan is not just a valued partner of the Irish racing community; he is one of us. We feel that he is part of the very fabric of our industry, and we have claimed him as one of our own.”

He added: “We are forever grateful for all His Highness has done for Irish horse racing. His vision, dedication, and generosity has enriched our sport and strengthened our community in ways that will endure for generations.”

Suzanne Eade, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “It was an honour to celebrate Irish racing and breeding this evening and give due recognition to those who make our industry the incredible success it is. We owe His Highness the Aga Khan so much and I hope that tonight’s recognition goes some way towards acknowledging his immense contribution, wonderful generosity and an unwavering support of our industry.”

Tweet: Horse Racing Ireland

🌟Contribution To The Industry🌟⁰⁰The winner of the 2024 Contribution To The Industry award is HH The Aga Khan🥇⁰⁰An iconic figure in the global racing industry, recognised for his immense contribution, wonderful generosity and unwavering support for Irish racing & breeding🌟 pic.twitter.com/sG6gMez0Dw

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) December 2, 2024

External links: For additional coverage about the Horse Racing Ireland Awards, please click on the following links:

• HRI Press Release: His Highness the Aga Khan honoured at the 2024 Horse Racing Ireland Awards
• HRI Facebook Page: Contribution to the Industry Award — His Highness the Aga Khan
• Thoroughbred Daily News: ‘One Of Us’: HH Aga Khan Honoured at HRI Awards
• Sporting Post: His Highness the Aga Khan Honoured

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November 27, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Attends 10th Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations

Correction: In our original version of this story, we incorrectly stated that Prince Rahim welcomed former world leaders to the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon at an event held there as a sideline to the 10th Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, which took place in Estoril from November 25-27, 2024. Prince Rahim was not present at the Diwan event; he attended the Forum in Estoril the following day. The editor offers his sincere apologies for this error. The story now reflects the correction. The story has also been updated with a news report about the 10th UNAOC Forum published on The Ismaili and AKDN.

In a story under the title “Aga Khan junta à mesa antigos chefes de Estado e de Governo de todo o mundo” — translation: “Aga Khan brings together former heads of state and government from around the world” — the online edition of the Portuguese newspaper SOL reports that the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat was the scene of a meeting of former world political leaders who participated in a dinner debate.

According to SOL, the discussion focused on the pivotal roles of dialogue and the preservation of culture in contributing to peacebuilding, Among several guests were a diverse group of leaders. This included the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Angel Moratinos; former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero; former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme; the former Austrian minister Benita Ferrero-Waldne; the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Elders, Mohamed Abdelsalam; and former President of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev.

The event at the Diwan was organized on the sidelines of the 10th Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), which took place in picturesque Estoril from November 25-27, 2024. The Alliance was created in 2005 by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (d. August 18, 2018) to embrace and promote cultural diversity, religious pluralism, and mutual respect. Its long-held motto is “Many cultures, one humanity.”

The Ismaili reports that Prince Rahim attended the 10th Global Forum of UNAOC alongside heads of state, government officials, religious leaders and civil society representatives. The event, which marks UNAOC’s 20th anniversary, comes at a time of rising tension, fear and injustice. The Forum provides a platform to nurture equity and cooperation in communities and societies worldwide.

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A special session at UNAOC was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Jorge Sampaio, former President of the Portuguese Republic from 1996 to 2006 and the First High Representative for UNAOC from 2007 to 2013. During his leadership, he prioritised the involvement of young people in the organisation’s activities, recognising their role in promoting tolerance and inclusivity. 

“We remember a creative friend, but above all a great fighter for peace, fraternity, freedom and human dignity,” reflected Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic. “His name was Jorge Sampaio and we will remember him forever.”

As President of Portugal, Mr Sampaio was a warm friend of the Ismaili community. He laid the foundation stone of the Ismaili Centre Lisbon in 1996 and opened the building in 1998 in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. To close the day’s proceedings, the Aga Khan Master Musicians performed for delegates as part of the Global Forum’s ‘cultural moment,’ showcasing new creations that celebrate Eastern and Western musical traditions.

November 27, 2024: JORNAL SOL Tweet on “X”

Aga Khan junta à mesa antigos chefes de Estado e de Governo de todo o mundo https://t.co/lzsOlCbMdh

— Jornal SOL (@SolOnline) November 27, 2024

External links: For additional coverage about the 10th UNAOC forum, please click on the following links:

• AKDN: Peace, security and cooperation discussed at the UN Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum
• The Ismaili (in Portuguese): Paz, segurança e cooperação debatidas no Fórum Mundial da Aliança das Civilizações da ONU

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November 16, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29 High-Level Ministerial Dialogue

The AKDN and the Ismaili websites report that Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Chairman of AKDN’s Climate and Environment Committee, addressed the second High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Culture-Based Climate Action, co-organised by the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

This event was jointly organised by the United Arab Emirates and Brazil, who co-chair the initiative. During his intervention, Prince Rahim highlighted the work of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture’s Historic Cities Programme (AKHCP), which has been active for over thirty years. 

“Our central objective is to improve the lives of the inhabitants around cultural assets, while promoting models that will sustain these improvements,” he said.

“[AKHCP] has shown that investments in culture can help create sustainable and green development. Culture can have a lasting, positive impact in shaping people’s lives, identities, and their aspirations.”

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He presented the AKDN model, showcasing its measurable positive impacts beyond cultural conservation. This model promotes good governance, strengthens civil society, increases incomes and economic opportunities, fosters respect for human rights, and enhances environmental stewardship, even in the world’s poorest and most remote regions. 

Prince Rahim emphasised that these outcomes should be integral to the role of culture in the context of climate change. 

On behalf of AKDN, he endorsed the consensus on the Terms of Reference for the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action, which was presented at the meeting. The work of AKDN was publicly acknowledged by participating Ministers in their respective speeches.

External links: For additional coverage about the COP29 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, please click on the following link(s).

• The Ismaili: Prince Rahim attends High-Level Ministerial Dialogue at COP29
• Remarks by UN Secretary-General to World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29
• AZERNEWS: Baku hosts Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers on Culture-Based Climate Action
• AKDN: Prince Rahim Aga Khan attends High-Level Ministerial Dialogue at COP29

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November 11, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Prince Rahim at the Paris Peace Forum

A delegation of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) led by Prince Amyn and Prince Rahim Aga Khan participated in the 7th edition of the Paris Peace Forum on November 11, 2024. AKDN is founding strategic partner of the Paris Peace Forum, reinforcing its enduring collaboration with the French Republic and commitment to historic shared values of peace, human development and pluralism. The Forum’s inclusive approach resonates with AKDN’s decades-long commitment to development through partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector.

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Matt Reed, the Chief Executive Officer and Global Director of Institutional Partnerships, Aga Khan Foundation United Kingdom, moderated the Forum’s discussion “Reshaping finance and investing in children for sustainable development” under the Forum’s Thematic Event “Inequalities and SDG’s.”

Inequalities and SDG’s is among two other issues at 2024 Forum which align with AKDN’s global priorities, namely, crafting peace to build a safer world and protecting people and the planet.

Ismaili volunteers from the France jurisdiction Jamat took part in this year’s event, welcoming guests, coordinating roundtable discussions, accompanying international delegations, and organising ancillary activities.

External links: For additional coverage about the Paris Peace Forum, please click on the following link(s).

• AKDN: Wanted a Functioning Global Order – Paris Peace Forum 2024 tackles pressing global challenges
• The Ismaili: Paris Peace Forum tackles pressing global challenges

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November 4-7, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan in Cape Town for the Earthshot Awards

Prince Rahim Aga Khan and a delegation form the Aga Khan Development Network were in Cape Town, South Africa, to attend the Earthshot Week between November 4th and 7th, 2024, which culminated on November 6 with the 2024 Earthshot Prize Awards.

Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s “Moonshot” challenge in 1962 to land a man on the moon within a decade, the Earthshot Prize was launched by His Royal Highness Prince William in 2020 to search for and scale the most innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges. Beginning 2021, five, one million-pound prizes are awarded each year until 2030, providing at least 50 solutions to the world’s greatest environmental problems. The first awards took place in London, England in 2021. The award will be rotated in cities worldwide during its decade long duration. AKDN has been a proud global alliance founding partner of the Prize.

While in Cape Town, Prince Rahim also met with HRH Prince William to discuss the ongoing partnership between The Earthshot Prize and AKDN; the engagement between AKDN and Earthshot Prize finalists and winners; AKDN’s own net zero commitment and how this is being enacted; and the progress of the Earthshot’s “Launchpad” initiative, which marries promising solutions with investors. AKDN is proud to be a global alliance founding partner of the Prize.

During the launch of Earthshot in 2020, Prince Rahim made the following remarks:

“The Aga Khan Development Network is proud to be a Founding Partner of The Earthshot Prize. It is our collective responsibility to be good stewards of the planet. At this critical moment, we must all nurture and invest in solutions that can repair our planet before it is too late. 

“The AKDN has been working for over a century in Asia and Africa to improve quality of life – through education and healthcare, livelihoods and infrastructure, and long-term institutions of civil society. The decades of progress now hang in the balance: environmental degradation and climate change will wipe out these gains entirely unless we act now with urgency and conviction. 

“To do its part, AKDN has a net-zero carbon target for its own operations and will mobilise its agencies to mitigate the effects of climate change and help vulnerable communities to adapt. We are excited to partner with The Earthshot Prize which, over the next decade, will identify fifty solutions with the potential to keep our planet habitable. Working together, we can and must help ensure a future for life on Earth.”

AKDN agencies have worked with finalists and winners of the Prize including: SOLShare (2021 finalist) who will be solarising part of the new Aga Khan Academy in Dhaka; and Kheyti (2022 winner) who have worked with the Aga Khan Foundation to establish 40 “greenhouse-in-a-box units” for commercial vegetable farming in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, discussions with several other finalists and winners are underway.

External links: For additional coverage about the Earthshot Prize please click on the following link(s).

• AKDN: Prince Rahim attends Earthshot Prize Awards to celebrate groundbreaking environment solutions
• Earthshot Award Highlights on X and Facebook

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October 28, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Accepts THE Mostar Peace Connection Award on Behalf of His Father, His Highness the Aga Khan

His Highness’s entire life has been dedicated to a humanitarian mission to preserve the highest values of humanity, This Award is a symbolic gesture of our gratitude for your support of our city and people in the most challenging times — Safet Orusevic

Mostar’s Center for Peace and Multiethnic Cooperation honoured His Highness the Aga Khan with the Mostar Peace Connection Award on October 28, 2024. The event took place at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal, with Prince Rahim Aga Khan accepting the Award on behalf of his father. Safet Orusevic, Director of Mostar’s Center for Peace and Multiethnic Cooperation, presented the award. Regarded as a visionary, Orusevic was Mostar’s mayor and deputy mayor in 1994–2002.

The Mostar Peace Connection Award was established in 2004 to recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating a solid commitment to peace, cooperation, and worldwide understanding. Previous recipients include Nelson Mandela, Mohamed ElBaradei, and António Guterres.

“His Highness’s entire life has been dedicated to a humanitarian mission to preserve the highest values of humanity,” said Safet Orusevic. He added: “This Award is a symbolic gesture of our gratitude for your support of our city and people in the most challenging times.”

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The Center for Peace and Multiethnic Cooperation also conferred the Mostar Charter of Peace on the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) for its efforts in restoring Mostar between 1998 and 2004.

The awards are presented yearly to mark the anniversary of the reconstruction of Stari Most, the 16th-century Ottoman bridge connecting the two parts of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge is a prime example of Balkan Islamic architecture. It was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and designed by Mimar Hayruddin, a student and apprentice of the renowned architect Mimar Sinan.

Following its destruction in the 1992-1995 Croat-Bosniak war, a global coalition was formed to rebuild the Stari Most bridge. This coalition, consisting of UNESCO, the World Bank, the World Monuments Fund, and AKTC, worked together to oversee the restoration of Mostar’s historic city centre.

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“AKTC worked on a detailed conservation and development plan for the old city,” explained Prince Rahim. “It undertook conservation of four historic buildings in the neighbourhoods flanking the Old Bridge complex on both sides of the Neretva River, in an effort to re-establish their physical and operational integrity. Together with the Old Bridge, these structures form an integral and essential part of Mostar’s historic townscape, fostering peace, stability and opportunity.”

The project culminated in Mostar’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Today, Stari Most and the city of Mostar are powerful symbols of peace and tolerance, representing the resilience of the communities and their commitment to rebuilding connections across cultural and religious groups.

“Today, more than ever, the world needs that spirit of pluralism and inclusiveness embodied in the reconstruction of the Mostar Bridge, which we are proud to have been a part of,” said Prince Rahim. “The Awards presented to us today are a most welcome encouragement to continue working in favour of peace among communities in different parts of the world that share the unwavering value of pluralism.”

Citation of the Mostar Peace Connection Award

Citation

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan

“The Center for Peace and Multiethnic Cooperation Mostar established an award in 2004 to honor those who contribute to bringing civilizations and cultures closer together. The founders of the award acknowledge the existence of the “clash of civilizations” theory and the reality that such conflicts occasionally occur around the world. However, they believe these conflicts are not inevitable. The Center for Peace and Multiethnic Cooperation seeks to inspire the efforts of those who confront such conflicts through their work and attitude.

“The award is rooted in the painful experiences and challenges that the city of Mostar faced at the end of the twentieth century. It will be presented annually for “civilization achievements” to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including social and cultural workers politicians, writers, publicists, and other who have contributed to peace and multiethnic cooperation in various fields and in different ways.

“We are united in the global struggle for peace which, despite everything, has no alternative. Our common goals must be reconciliation and coexistence of different cultures, religions, and races. We believe that through dialogue, mutual respect, and shared understanding, we can build a future where diversity is celebrated, and peace is sustained across all boundaries.”

Note: Within the Award Citation, in the centre, note renditions of the Mostar Bridge and the Emblem of the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat, where the Award was presented.

External links: For additional coverage about Mostar and the Award presented to Mawlana Hazar Imam, please click on the following link(s).

• Foreward by His Highness the Aga Khan on Mostar in World Bank Essays: Of Mosaics and Mosques – A Look at the Campaign to Preserve Cultural Heritage (PDF format)
• World Monuments Fund (WMF): Backgrounder and photos about Mostar and WMF’s partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to support the city’s conservation efforts
• AKDN: Mostar Honours the Aga Khan — A Bridge for Peace and Unity
• The Ismaili: Mostar honours Mawlana Hazar Imam: A bridge for peace and unity

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September 26, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan at Toronto City Hall

Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, held a reception for Prince Amyn Aga Khan, who is in Toronto for events to mark the Aga Khan Museum’s 10th anniversary. She thanked Prince Amyn for the Ismaili Imamat and Jamat’s participation in Toronto’s ethos of diversity and inclusion: “We are so grateful,” she said, “for your incredible contributions to this city and to Canada.”

Mayor Chow noted the significant value that Imamat institutions have added to the city’s social and artistic landscape, and offered special appreciation to Prince Amyn for his deep engagement with the Aga Khan Museum. “We look forward to many many years of working together,” she added. Prince Amyn expressed gratitude to Mayor Chow for the city’s ongoing support, and highlighted the shared values between the Ismaili Imamat and the city, including pluralism, inclusivity, and good governance. 

“One of our aims is to improve the quality of life of all the people around us,” Prince Amyn said. “I hope that whatever we do here will be of benefit to the city and to the country in general.”

Today, I was pleased to welcome Prince Amyn Aga Khan, the younger brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, to City Hall.

As the Aga Khan Museum (@AgaKhanMuseum), the Ismaili Centre, and the Aga Khan Park commemorate their 10th anniversaries, we shared our appreciation for the many… pic.twitter.com/Ov1pAlG9Ya

— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) September 27, 2024

External links: For additional coverage and photographs of Prince Amyn’s visit to Toronto, please click on the following link(s).

• The Ismaili: Prince Amyn meets Mayor of Toronto at City Hall

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September 10-13, 2024: Princess Zahra and Daughter Sara Visit Education Projects in India

In reports dated September 15 and September 17, 2024, respectively, The Ismaili and AKDN websites report that Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her daughter, Sara, recently completed a working visit to India to observe the progress of education projects in the Indian states of Telangana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

In Hyderabad (Telangana), Princess Zahra and Sara visited the two campuses of the Diamond Jubilee High School, the Aga Khan Hostel in Kompally, and the Aga Khan Academy. They also spent time at the Garden Society in Kompally, which provides housing to hundreds of families and includes a Jamatkhana, a Learning Resource Centre (LRC) for older members of the Jamat, a Medical Centre, and a Learning Centre that hosts after-school programmes run by the Aga Khan Education Board. 

While in Gujarat, Princess Zahra visited a pre-school in Keshod, the Malia Hatina Hostel and the Girnar School, and the Aga Khan School in Chitravad. There, she also inaugurated the 16th LRC in the country, which offers a recreational and learning space for senior citizens of the Jamat, thus helping to enhance their quality of life.

The breadth and diversity of the educational institutions they visited underscores the Imamat’s commitment to ensuring widespread access to high-quality education to help nurture and develop India’s future leaders. Today, in India, AKDN operates eight state and national curriculum schools, 19 pre-schools, one hostel, and one academy, which serve more than 8,000 students from different backgrounds.

In Mumbai (Maharashtra), visits were arranged to the Diamond Jubilee High School for Girls and the coeducational Diamond Jubilee High School. Princess Zahra also visited the Aga Hall Estate to review the progress made on constructing a revitalisation project rooted in legacy. Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah established the site in the 1860s and was also home to Mawlana Ali Shah and Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah.

Alongside a new, enlarged Jamatkhana, a new international-standard school, and a new hospital, the Aga Hall Estate’s two residential towers will offer a convenient and holistic lifestyle. The aim is to enhance the quality of life for current and prospective residents and provide a safe, community-oriented living experience.

At an institutional dinner in Mumbai, President Asif Porbanderwala of the Ismaili Council for India welcomed Princess Zahra and her daughter Sara and conveyed the Jamat’s joy and gratitude for their visit to the country. The Ismaili Council presented a photo gallery recounting Princess Zahra’s previous visits to India to honour her contributions and pay tribute to her many years of work.

Princess Zahra thanked the volunteers and commended the artists who performed at the dinner. “It’s my honour and my pleasure to be here with all of you,” she said. Princess Zahra also spoke about the visit, the progress of AKDN in India, and Mawlana Hazar Imam’s vision.

“I think we all follow the same vision,” she added. “We are all inspired by that vision, we’re all trying to live up to that vision and contribute to it as best we can. And it’s not a question of choice. It’s a question of vocation, and calling, and duty.”

External links: For additional coverage and photographs of Princess Zahra’s visit to India, please click on the following link(s) and watch the Ismaili Update YouTube video

• The Ismaili: Princess Zahra Visits Education Projects in India
• AKDN: Princess Zahra Visits Education Projects in India

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September 10, 2024: Prince Rahim Aga Khan Meets Ignazio Cassis, Swiss Foreign Minister

Prince Rahim Aga Khan met with Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Federation, on September 10, 2024, to discuss cooperation between Switzerland and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in countries and regions of shared interest. The Swiss Federation has been a longstanding partner of the AKDN across various fields, including the fight against climate change, development cooperation in multiple sectors, and humanitarian response.

The Aga Khan Development Network agencies are headquartered in Switzerland.

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August 13 – 17, 2024: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan in Nairobi, Kenya

Prince Aly Muhammad visited Nairobi, Kenya from August 13-17, for work by Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) on regenerative agriculture. He was accompanied by his sister, Princess Theresa Zu Leiningen. The Maendeleo programme supports more than 5,000 smallholder farmers in Kenya to reduce cost, increase yields, and improve health, while safeguarding the natural environment. Prince Aly Muhammad also discussed AKF’s plans to boost household renewable energy use, foster youth enterprise, and take greater advantage of climate financing.

In addition, he visited East Africa Healthcare, a new pharmaceuticals company that, when commissioned, will positively impact health outcomes and add to economic growth in the region; Frigoken, a company sponsored by AKFED, and which is the largest export-oriented vegetable processing company in East Africa; and Diamond Trust Bank’s digital banking and sustainability work. 

External links: For additional coverage and photographs of Prince Aly Muhammad’s visit to Nairobi, please click on the following link(s):

• The Ismaili: Prince Aly Muhammad visits Gujarat and Nairobi
• The Ismaili Update: Featuring top stories from the month of August 2024 including Prince Aly Muhammad’s visit to Nairobi and Gujarat

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July 31 – August 3, 2024: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan in Gujarat, India

Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, youngest child of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, travelled to Gujarat from July 31 to August 3, to work with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) in India on several projects, including solar-powered irrigation, community forestry, cooperative farming, youth skills development, enterprise creation, and youth employment.

The trip followed his visits in July to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi with his older brother, Prince Rahim. 

Like his father, Prince Aly Muhammad studied at Harvard, graduating in 2023. Prince Aly Muhammad joined the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) at the beginning of 2024, and works with AKF leadership on several thematic areas with a focus on economic pathways and youth engagement initiatives. 

Prince Aly Muhammad held meetings with youth micro-entrepreneurs about the expansion of their businesses, upgrading of their skills, and the ways in which AKRSP can better support them. On the environment, a key focus is how to replicate solar-powered irrigation systems to expand the availability of clean energy, increase agricultural output, and improve sustainable water management. 

The visit to the Netrang region in Gujarat came 35 years after Mawlana Hazar Imam had first visited the area. Prince Aly Muhammad planted a tree in a microforest a few steps from where Princess Zahra had also planted one 25 years ago. In India and elsewhere, AKDN’s Microforest Initiative works with communities to help plant diverse, rapidly-growing small forests that produce both climate and economic benefits. Jamats in East Africa and South Asia partner with AKDN agencies on this type of work under Ismaili CIVIC.

External links: For additional coverage and photographs of Prince Aly Muhammad’s visit to Gujarat, please click on the following link(s):

• The Ismaili: Prince Aly Muhammad visits Gujarat and Nairobi
• The Ismaili Update: Featuring top stories from the month of August 2024 including Prince Aly Muhammad’s visit to Nairobi and Gujarat

Date posted: August 30, 2024.
Last updated: December 18, 2024.

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