Introduction: Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, arrived in Mozambique on Sunday, June 22, 2025. As Head of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), he will sign accords and agreements with the Government of Mozambique during the visit. As a guest of the President, His Highness will also attend, alongside other Heads of State, the commemoration of the country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the historic Machava Stadium in Maputo, a venue steeped in Mozambican history and culture.
We are dedicating this page to covering Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit comprehensively. He last visited Mozambique in 2022 on behalf of his late father for the inauguration of the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo. This is his first visit to the country as the 50th Imam of the Ismailis.
Please visit this page frequently for the latest news.
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ANCHOR LINKS: HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN IN MOZAMBIQUE
(Last updated: June 26, 2025, 10:36 EDT)
- June 22, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan’s arrival in Maputo
- June 23, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan is received by President Chapo
- June 23, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan is received by Her Excellency Margaret Talapa
- June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan attends ceremony honouring Mozambique’s Fallen Heroes
- June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan joins world leaders at Machava Stadium to celebrate Mozambique’s 50th Independence Day
- June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan attends luncheon at Presidential Palace
- June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan departs Mozambique
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June 22-25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan’s Visit to Mozambique
June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan Departs Mozambique
His Highness the Aga Khan has concluded his 4-day visit to Mozambique. The AKDN Representative for Mozambique Nazim Ahmad bid him farewell, along with Their Excellencies Ambassador Manuela Lucas, Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who had earlier received him on his arrival (see photo, under June 22); and Mr Fredson Bacar, Secretary of State for Tourism.
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June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan and International Dignitaries are hosted for a luncheon at the Presidential Palace
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June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan joins world leaders at Machava Stadium for Independence Day Celebration
Mozambique’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, marking 50 years of independence from Portuguese colonial rule, took place at the historic Machava Stadium in Maputo on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The stadium, originally known as the Salazar Stadium under Portuguese rule, was renamed Machava following independence. On Wednesday, President Chapo announced a new name, the National Independence Stadium, based on the transformation of the space into a “symbol of patriotism and citizenship.”
‘X’ Post, ZBC News Online: Mozambique’s 50th Independence Day Celebration at Machava Stadium
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‘X’ post: Presidential Communications Zimbabwe
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June 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan joins world leaders at ceremony honouring Mozambique’s Fallen Heroes
Mawlana Hazar Imam joined Heads of State and international dignitaries at a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument of Mozambican Heroes. The following is a collection of posts on ‘X’.
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‘X’ post: The Presidency of South Africa
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‘X’ posts: ZBC News Online
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The following video shows His Highness the Aga Khan in conversation with the Portuguese President (at 00.37 seconds).
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June 23, 2025: President Daniel Chapo receives His Highness the Aga Khan and Signs New Cooperation Agreement with the Ismaili Imam
President Daniel Chapo thanked Prince Rahim for his presence and considered the signing of the new agreement as a gift to the Mozambican people. “Fifty years of Independence, a moment of celebration, and the signing of this agreement is really a gift to the Mozambican people, because we are going to do a lot together” — President Chapo, June 23, 2025.
The following report is adapted from the website of the President of the Republic of Mozambique. Please click HERE for the original piece in Portuguese
The President of the Mozambique Republic, Daniel Chapo, on Monday, June 23, 2025, received Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. He welcomed the signing of a new Cooperation Agreement with the Ismaili Imamat and considered it a milestone for strengthening relations between Mozambique and the Aga Khan Development Network.
Speaking to the press after receiving Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the Mozambican statesman underscored the historical significance of the visit. It coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of National Independence and the 25 years of the Aga Khan Foundation’s impactful presence in Mozambique. “It is with great satisfaction that we have the honour and privilege of receiving His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, who has been in the Republic of Mozambique since yesterday for a visit to our country,” he said.
President Chapo highlighted that the visit of the Ismaili leader comes at a particularly special time, marking this year the Golden Jubilee of Mozambique’s Independence and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Aga Khan Network’s institutional presence in the country. “We have been together for 25 years, it is a historic relationship between the Aga Khan Development Network and the Republic of Mozambique,” he noted, underlining bilateral cooperation’s symbolic and practical relevance.
During the official ceremony, the “Agreement between the Republic of Mozambique and the Ismaili Imamat” was signed. This agreement aims to consolidate and expand cooperation in priority areas such as education, health, culture, environment, and socio-economic development. “This is an agreement that aims to strengthen the historical ties that unite Mozambique and the Ismaili Imamat and to establish and consolidate partnerships in areas of common interest,” stressed the Head of State.
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The statesman recalled that the partnership formally began in 1998, with the Aga Khan Foundation starting in 2000. Since then, he said, the relationship has “flourished”, and the new agreement aims to give “a new dynamic and open a new page for our common future”.
The President of the Republic particularly thanked the investments and social actions promoted by the Aga Khan Network, emphasizing the province of Cabo Delgado and areas such as tourism, health and education. “We want to reiterate our thanks for the projects and programs that the Aga Khan Network has carried out in Mozambique …. in areas that include social action, health, education, tourism and economic and social development.”
Among the most visible milestones, the Head of State highlighted the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo, which he classified as “a center of excellence in the training of talents, innovation and leaders of the future”. He also said that the institution welcomes students from all provinces of Mozambique and more than 22 countries, promoting multiculturalism and inclusion.
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Photo Gallery: Website of the President of Mozambique
For the future, the Mozambican President was hopeful about new structuring investments by the Aga Khan Network, such as the expansion of the Academy to other provinces, the construction of a reference hospital in Maputo province, the creation of more tourism infrastructure and the establishment of a financial institution. This institution would be aimed at supporting young people and women entrepreneurs, empowering them to contribute to the country’s development. “Mozambique offers enormous potential, and in the last 25 years we have proven that together we can develop projects with a visible impact within communities.”
“We have a lot to be proud of today, and of what both of our predecessors, and their predecessors, accomplished in this country together. The agreement that we signed today will allow us to deepen the friendship and collaboration. There is an exciting future ahead for us.” — His Highness the Aga Khan, June 23, 2025.
President Chapo also praised the role of the Aga Khan Network and the Ismaili Community in the humanitarian response to the natural disasters that cyclically affect the country. “Whenever there are these situations, the Aga Khan Network is there to support local communities, save lives and even provide support and assistance to local communities.”
President Daniel Chapo thanked Prince Rahim for his presence and considered the signing of the new agreement as a gift to the Mozambican people. “Fifty years of Independence, a moment of celebration, and the signing of this agreement is really a gift to the Mozambican people, because we are going to do a lot together,” he concluded.
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June 23, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan is received by Her Excellency Margarida Talapa
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique, Her Excellency Margarida Talapa, received His Highness the Aga Khan in her office on June 23, 2025, within the scope of parliamentary diplomacy. During the meeting, she stressed that the presence of His Highness represents a unique opportunity to deepen collaboration with that development support network, emphasizing education, employment and tourism, where the Aga Khan Network has been operating for more than two decades in Mozambique.
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President Talapa highlighted the importance of the recent Agreement signed between the Mozambican Government and the Ismaili Imamat and expressed her satisfaction with the formalized commitment. According to the President, this instrument will contribute significantly to strengthening the support of the Aga Khan Network in sectors crucial to the country’s economic and social growth.
In turn, Deputy Fernando Bismarque, who spoke to the press as spokesperson, assured the press that the parliamentary benches are ready to approve the agreement as soon as it is submitted to the Assembly of the Republic, highlighting the commitment to building “a new Mozambique.”
The parliamentarian also reinforced his recognition for the continued work of the Aga Khan Network in the country.
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June 22, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Mozambique
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EXTERNAL LINKS: Please click on the following link(s) for additional coverage of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Mozambique ( coverage dates June 22 thru 25, 2025):
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam participates in commemoration to mark 50 years of Mozambique’s independence
- The Ismaili: Strengthening the partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and the Republic of Mozambique
- Club of Mozambique: Strengthening the partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and the Republic of Mozambique
- President of Portugal: Photo gallery of President Chapo with His Highness the Aga Khan (may take long to load)
Date posted: June 23, 2025.
Last updated: June 26, 2025 (10:36 EDT, added photo(s) from The Ismaili).
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FEEDBACK AND Table of Contents
Before you leave, remember that Barakah’s editor, Malik, is here to assist you. If you have any questions or feedback, please scroll down to leave a comment or send an email to mmerchant@barakah.com. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the diverse and extensive content on Barakah’s Home Page or Table of Contents, with over 350 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. And don’t forget to visit our sister websites, Simerg and Simergphotos. You can stay updated by following Malik on @Facebook, @X and @LinkedIn.
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