Introduced, prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

INTRODUCTION

For our regular readers, it’s no secret that since 2021, Barakah has been publishing unique posts to honour members of Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan’s family on their birthdays. In that spirit, we were proud to present one of the most comprehensive posts ever published on this blog or any website we know, marking Princess Zahra’s 52nd birthday on September 18, 2022. This milestone was achieved through the painstaking review of hundreds of Ismaili magazines dating back decades, a testament to our unwavering dedication and commitment to providing in-depth information and rare photographs of Princess Zahra’s early life and her extraordinary contribution to the work of the Ismaili Imamat since the 1990s.

As the Princess celebrates her 55th birthday on September 18, 2025, we present her pictorial life in two parts. Part I, this page, showcases her 50-year journey from 1970 to 2020. A revised and updated Part II, which also reflects the passing of her beloved father, Mawlana Shah Karim, earlier this year, highlight her life from 2021 to 2025 can be read HERE.

NOTE: Mawlana Shah Karim, our beloved 49th Imam, who passed away on February 4, 2025, is referenced as Mawlana Hazar Imam or His Highness the Aga Khan in this post. These titles are a mark of respect and honour within the Ismaili community and the world at large. The title of His Highness was bestowed on him in 1957 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Those designations will change in future posts published after Prince Rahim’s succession to the Imamat. Prince Rahim will be referred to as Mawlana Hazar Imam and His Highness the Aga Khan — His Majesty King Charles III honoured him with the title of His Highness. The late 49th Imam will then be referred to as Mawlana Shah Karim or His Late Highness Aga Khan (IV).

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Zahra, The Radiant

To Princess Zahra, the Radiant, we convey our heartiest congratulations and best birthday wishes on her 55th birthday on September 18, 2025. We wish her many more birthdays to come. We take this opportunity to congratulate Mawlana Hazar Imam and all his family members on this very happy occasion.

The Arabic name Zahra means beautiful, bright, shining and brilliant. It may be noted that we refer to Bibi Fatimah (A.S.), the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.S.) and wife of the first Shia Imam, Hazrat Ali (A.S.), as Zahra, which also means radiant.

Princess Zahra’s life and work have captivated Ismailis worldwide. Since the mid-1990s, she has been a driving force in her father’s work, making a significant and far-reaching global impact through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and other Imamat Institutions. We are delighted to showcase her exceptional dedication to the work of the Imamat, both in the following sections and in our revised Part II to be published on September 18.

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Education and Career

Princess Zahra’s schooling was at the Le Rosey School in Switzerland, the same school that Mawlana Hazar Imam attended after World War II. As a teenager, Princess Zahra was interested in astronomy, a fact that became known to the Jamat when Mawlana Hazar Imam and Begum Salimah were presented with technological gifts for the Princess and her two younger brothers, Prince Rarim and Prince Hussain during their visit to Houston in 1986.

However, Princess Zahra pursued Development Studies at Harvard University, where she graduated in 1994 with an Honours degree. She also completed a four-month program at Massachusetts General Hospital to enhance her understanding of healthcare systems and the delivery of advanced medical care, and an Executive Finance course at the world renowned International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The two great needs for education in the developing world are quality and relevance. Lacking in either, you will never produce a culturally independent society — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, in “homecoming” interview, Harvard Gazette, May 13, 2008

Indeed, this education prepared Princess Zahra for the work that she was going to pursue for her father’s Jamati and Imamat Institutions. Princess Zahra joined the Secretariat of Mawlana Hazar Imam at Aiglemont, France, in 1994.

Today, Princess Zahra Aga Khan is a Member of the Board of Directors of the AKDN. For ten years Princess Zahra was the Director of the Social Welfare Department and of the Health, Education and Planning and Building Service Companies of the AKDN. Princess Zahra serves in various leadership roles within the Aga Khan Development Network, including as Trustee of the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Aga Khan Foundation, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Global Centre for Pluralism located in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat. She also works with Ismaili institutions in the areas of social welfare, women’s activities and youth programs. Outside AKDN and Jamati institutions, Princess Zahra contributes as a Member of the Board of France Galop, the French racing authority, and is President of the Board of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

In continuation of our last birthday tribute in 2024, Barakah is proud to honour Princess Zahra on her 55th birthday in two parts, as before, with this post being Part I. Part II will be published September 18, 2025.

1970 – 1981: Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Childhood

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1994 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at MIT for Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Commencement Speech

On May 27, 1994 Mawlana Hazar Imam addressed a gathering of more than 10,000 as a commencement speaker at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming the first Muslim to give a commencement speech at the world-renowned academic institution. Mawlana Hazar Imam said that “MIT has shown a standard of excellence in education and research that sets a benchmark for universities everywhere.” Referring to his Fatimid ancestors, Mawlana Hazar Imam said:

“Education has been important to my family for a long time. My forefathers founded Al Azhar University in Cairo some 1,000 years ago, at the time of the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt. Discovery of knowledge was seen by those founders as an embodiment of religious faith, and faith as reinforced by knowledge of workings of the Creator’s physical world. The form of universities has changed over those 1,000 years, but that reciprocity between faith and knowledge remains a source of strength.”

Princess Zahra attended the event with her mother Princess Salimah and brother Prince Hussain.

1994 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Accompanies Mawlana Hazar Imam to Pakistan for Inauguration of New Phase in Future of Network Institutions

Over ten days in November 1994, Mawlana Hazar Imam attended events marking a new phase in the future of Imamat institutions in Pakistan. The visit was at the official invitation of the Government of Pakistan and Mawlana Hazar Imam was accompanied by Prince Amyn Mohamed and Princess Zahra. The Aga Khan University’s tenth anniversary was celebrated with the University’s Convocation on November 19, 1994.

During the course of the visit, Princess Zahra attended the Aga Khan University Board of Trustees Meeting, the Aga Khan University Convocation Ceremony and also pursued an independent programme of meetings relating to her assignment at Aiglemont, France. The Princess also reviewed with the Women’s, Youth and Sports and Social Welfare portfolios, the work being undertaken with respect to the Jamati constituencies served by them in Pakistan.

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1995 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Joins Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Secretariat and Visits Ismaili Community Institutions Around the World

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1995 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Canada for Jamati Institutional Meetings and Montreal Partnership Walk

Like her visits to East African countries as well as France and Portugal, Princess Zahra in May 1995 visited the Canadian cities of Toronto, Calgary and Montreal for meetings related to the Women’s, Youth and Social Welfare portfolios of the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for Canada. The meetings were complemented by site visits to provide a sense of the physical environment within which the work of the Ismaili institutions, supported by the Ismaili community, was carried out.

In Montreal, Princess Zahra with Mayor Pierre Bourque officially declared open the 1995 Partnership Walk organized by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and joined hundreds of participants attending the Walk.

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1995 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends Aga Khan Foundation UK Ball in London

Prince Zahra graced the Aga Khan Foundation UK (AKF-UK) Ball at London’s Grosvenor House. “Water for Life” was the theme of the charity function which attracted over 900 guests including representatives of government organizations and numerous donors who contributed to the AKF projects in the developing world. In her speech, she noted that in many parts of the world, the lack of clean water is a life-threatening problem: the search for clean water places a great strain upon communities and families, especially women. Discussing the role of AKDN she said: “The Network has a long history of working with women to face the challenges of economics and cultural domination. Earlier this century my great-grandfather, Aga Khan III, established maternity centres and schools for girls in many parts of India. Investing in women, yields high returns, both for themselves and for the generations to come.”

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1995 (4): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends the 1995 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony in Indonesia

Princess Zahra accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam for the 6th cycle of the Aga Khan Award Ceremony held on November 25, 1995 in Solo, Indonesia, where twelve winners were announced following final deliberations that took place in June 1995.

“The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is the most important international award which surveys the state of the art of architecture — Colin Amery, The Fiancial Times, November 27, 2995

This is architecture defined as the most fundamental building blocks for a saner life — Peter Popham, The Independent, November 20, ,1995.

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1996: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Visits Canada for Launch of special Book on Women’s Empowerment

One of the Aga Khan Development Network’s aims is a return to the Islamic tradition of structuring society around the equality of women. The empowerment of women is a crucial step in engendering the self-confidence to demonstrate that the highest reaches of female education and professionalism are compatible with social morality — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, November 1996, Ottawa

In early September 1996, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) was graced by the presence of Princess Zahra, who came to Ottawa to launch a new book, “Speaking Out: Women’s Economic Empowerment in South Asia,” co-published by AKFC and UNIFEM. The event was attended by High Commissioners and diplomatic representatives from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Tanzania and Uganda, among others. The book was the result of a research project initiated by AKFC and carried out by a team of women researchers from South Asia.

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1997 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends International Ismaili Women’s Forum in Toronto

Eaton Hall, an elegant conference facility in the woodlands of Greater Toronto, was the venue for the International Ismaili Women’s Forum held in May 1997, with the theme Economic Empowerment of Ismaili Women. The 3-day event was sponsored by the International Social Development and Sports Foundation and hosted by the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for Canada.

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1997 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan – a Memorable Photo with Mata Salamat, Om Habibeh Aga Khan (d. July 1, 2000)

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1997 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Inaugurates Karimabad Fitness Centre in Pakistan

In September 1997, Princess Zahra formally inaugurated the Karimabad Fitness Centre in Karachi. Located at the site of the former Karimabad Jamatkhana on Karimabad Housing Colony, the fitness centre was constructed in collaboration with the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Pakistan. The goal of the Fitness centre and other similar centres is to provide members of the Jamat and in particular the elderly and women with low cost facilities where they can regularly engage in physical exercise for good health. Much to the delight of the residents of the Karimabad Housing Colony, the Princess proceeded to tour the facilities after formally declaring the Fitness Centre open.

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1998 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends Houston Partnership Walk

“Women and Development: A World of Opportunity” was the theme of Houston’s first ever Partnership Walk held on April 5, 1998 at the scenic campus of the University of Houston. More than 16,000 people gathered at the Walk. The Walk was attended by Houston’s Mayor Dr. Lee Brown and Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who proclaimed April 5, 1998 as AKF Partnership Walk Day. At the time, Princess Zahra was married to Mark Boyden, who also attended the walk.

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1998 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at International Volunteers Conference in Edmonton

How do you mobilise volunteers? I will again turn to Ismaili tradition for an answer. Amongst Ismailis, it starts early and continues throughout an individual’s life. Young Ismaili children perform volunteer tasks at Jamatkhanas: serving water, collecting and looking after coats, and the like, tasks which require no professional knowledge, but which introduce, at an early age, the ethos of volunteerism. As she or he grows and develops academically and professionally, so do the complexity and performance of the voluntary tasks. For example, in order to protect people from the astronomical costs of litigation, we ask senior lawyers to volunteer their time on Conciliation and Arbitration Boards, in order to help people obtain professional and fair, yet completely free, judgement in commercial and domestic matters. Nowadays, this service is, in many places, used by Ismailis and non-Ismailis alike. In other instances, professionals volunteer their time and skill to bring the benefits of technology to people who might otherwise never be able to afford, or have access to, it. The ethic of service to others, is thus, inculcated early, and works to broaden the individual’s experience in relating harmoniously to the society around him or her. — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, International Volunteers Conference, Edmonton, August 1998.

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Edmonton Children to Princess Zahra: “You are the Sunshine of My Life”

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1998 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Opening of Madrasa Resource Centre in Kampala

The Madrasa Resource Centre in Kampala was officially opened by Uganda’s First Lady, Janet Musevini, in Kampala on September 13, 1998, in the presence of Princess Zahra. The opening was witnessed by over 200 guests representing the government, NGO’s, members of the Ismaili community and local communities as well as agencies of AKDN.

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2000/2001: Princess Zahra Aga Khan chairs the first global Ismaili youth conference

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2003 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Promotes Education and Entrepreneurship in Mozambique and Kenya

MOZAMBIQUE

Over 4 days in March 2003, Princess Zahra witnessed at first-hand, progress on AKDN initiatives in education, health and rural development in Mozambique and Kenya.

In Mozambique, the Princess had formal discussions with Mozambique’s Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi and joined Education Minister Alcido Eduardo Nguenha for the signature of an agreement formalizing the transfer of a 23 -hectare site near Maputo on which the Aga Khan Education Services would build a centre of excellence.

Our hope is to create a world-class academic resource immediately accessible to the youth in Mozambique, to enrich the educational offering for the entire region, and to build unique linkages with academic institutions of renown across the developing and developed worlds — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Mozambique, March 2003, on the proposed Aga Khan Academy in Maputo

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KENYA

During her visit to Nairobi, Princess Zahra reminded youth of their stewardship, to leave the world a better place than they found it. Seeking excellence in education, a betterment in a societal sense, promoting lifelong learning, thinking internationally, and having fun permeated Princess Zahra’s formal remarks to the youth. “It matters a lot that we understand each other,” said the Princess.

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2003 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan is Appointed to the Aga Khan University’s Board of Trustees

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2003 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Gives Keynote Address at the Ismaili Health Professionals Symposium in Atlanta

Today’s Symposium is yet another example of the lifelong humanitarian work this organization [AKDN] continues to do by working to close the healthcare gap between the industrialized and developing nations — Georgia Secretary of State, Honorable Cathy Cox, Atlanta, August 2003

In her insightful keynote address to a record, 1000 participants at the 5th annual Ismaili Health Professionals Association Symposium held in Augst 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia, Princess Zahra commended the dedication of participants and inspired them to continue to contribute their diverse skills to assisting under-served populations.

In her welcome address, Georgia’s Secretary of State, the Honorable Cathy Cox, referred to Princess Zahra as “truly a role model to those of us who seek to serve the public and make the world a better place for global citizens.” She went on to proclaim the Princess as honorary citizen of Georgia and a member of the Goodwill Ambassador Corps. Secretary Cox referred to the Ismaili community as “a model Muslim community that is committed to good citizenship and social and civic causes in Georgia and throughout the globe.”

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2004 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Ground Breaking of the Aga Khan Academy Maputo

On June 25, 2004, Mawlana Hazar Imam and Mozambique’s President Joaquim Chissano laid the foundation stone of the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo. The Aga Khan Academies are part of a planned network of residential schools of the highest international standards, providing pre-primary through to higher secondary education. Princess Zahra accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam for the event.

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2004 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends the 2004 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Ceremony in New Delhi

Can architecture be a way of bridging the gap between western and Islamic culture? For most of us, the need to build that bridge is something we’ve only recently become aware of. But someone who has long been trying is the Aga Khan — Robert Campbell, Boston Globe, November 2001.

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2005: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing

The Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing (AKU-SON) is the University’s first academic entity. It began its classes in 1980 with a batch of 39 students. During its 25 years of existence, from 1980 to 2005, the AKU-SON had graduated a total of 2,088 nurses, with 4 Ph.D. nurses in its 64-member faculty. Princess Zahra travelled to attend the silver jubilee commemorative event that took place in December 2005. In her remarks at the event, she said:

“In the past twenty-five years, AKU-SON has truly contributed to the improvement and appreciation of nurses in Pakistan and around the world. In the next twenty-five years, we need to make it easier for women and men to be recognized as professionals and to be socially accepted.”

Noting that nurses were in great demand around the world, and particularly in the wake of the earthquake in Kashmir in October 2005, it was important to acknowledge the contribution that nurses would make in times of disaster and also in the daily life of the nation.

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2006 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Accepts the 2005 Alcan Prize on Behalf of Aga Khan Building and Planning Services, Pakistan

Princess Zahra announced that the Alcan prize would be matched with a $US 1 miilion contribution from Aga Khan Foundation Canada in recognition of Canada’s long-standing support for the work of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services Pakistan and of Alcan’s Canadian roots.

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2006 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at World Habitat Day in Kazan

AKPBS is inspired by His Highness the Aga Khan’s conviction that “a proper home can provide the bridge across that terrible gulf between poverty and a better future”. AKPBS is one of nine agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network whose experience — across 35 countries and several decades — shows that the quality of life — for both urban and rural populations — can be significantly improved: if the endeavour is grounded in communities; if it integrates social, economic and cultural interventions; if it is undertaken with a long-term perspective; and it recognises the value of pluralism — Princess Zahra Aga Khan

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2008 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan With Mawlana Hazar Imam at National University of Ireland

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2008 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Opening of the Ismaili Centre Dubai

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2009 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Summit on Chronic Diseases in Kampala

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2009 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Opening of the Ismaili Centre Dushanbe

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2010 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan At Inaugural Board Meeting of Directors of Global Centre for Pluralism

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2010 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the International Baccalaureate

The agreement is an important step in an already strong relationship we have with the International Baccalaureate not only because it will enable our educational institutions to benefit from the educational philosophy, curriculum expertise and academic excellence associated with the IB, but also because it will be instrumental in bridging cultural divides and traditions — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, October 28, 2010.

This is a significant development as it will allow IB to extend its reach and draw upon the expertise AKDN has in providing education to students in some of the poorest and most challenging parts of the world — Jeff Beard, October 28, 2010.

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2012: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends 10th Anniversary of Aga Khan School in Osh

The Aga Khan School in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, was opened in 2002 by Mawlana Hazar Imam. The school marked its 10th anniversary in October 2012 in the presence of Princess Zahra. Although a decade does not seem a very long life in the life of a school, it represented part of the success achieved in the 20 years since the Kyrgyz Republic gained its independence. As part of the festivities, students showcased their diverse talents in singing, dancing and music for the audience.

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Princess Zahra presented awards recognizing staff for exceptional performance, mentorship, community service, and tenure of service. Awards were also presented to students for achievements in academics, sports and extracurricular activities, and voluntary service.

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2014 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Launches Oncology Programme at Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam

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2014 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Address to the Canadian Parliament

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2014 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Dar es Salaam and Arusha for Aga Khan University’s Board of Trustees Meeting

In August 2014, Mawlana Hazar Imam, as Chancellor of the Aga Khan University, presided over a week-long meeting of the AKU’s Board of Trustees in Dar es Salaam and Arusha, Tanzania. As noted previously, Princess Zahra was appointed to the AKU Board of Trustees in 2003 and also participated in the meetings. During the visit Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra met with the Board of the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam to review the expansion plans for a regional heart and Cancer Centre. This major expansion of the hospital in Dar es Salaam is part of the growing AKDN integrated health systems which include existing and new hospitals in East Africa.

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2016 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Gives a Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 36th Asian Racing Conference in Mumbai

Excerpts from Princess Zahra’s address:

“The horse industry is an important part of the rural economy, employing millions of people around the world in areas of shrinking agricultural production. It supports farms and villages, it provides permanent, year-round employment to riders, lads, farriers, vets, farmers and businesses of all kinds. As my father said, ‘You can look at the horse in human life — in agriculture, in war, or as a vehicle of exploration — for hundreds of years. When you think about it, the horse is one of the most extraordinary phenomena we have’.

“In the late 19th century my great-great-great grandfather was racing horses all over undivided India. He had brought his stock from Persia, where the family had been breeding horses for many generations. Included in those horses in the late 19th century, were Shere Ali, who won the Arab Derby in 1869, Khusroo who won the Winner’s Handicap in 1870, and Maharaj, who won loads of stuff including the Governor’s Cup and the Derby in 1872. In the 20th century my grandfather and great-grandfather also raced their horses throughout India, to win races like the Indian Oaks with Ferial in 1945, four Viceroy’s Cups between 1928 and 1940, seven Eclipse Stakes of India between 1926 and 1956… and in 1922 my great-grandfather bought his foundation mares with Major Hall in Newmarket. Included in those lots was Mumtaz Mahal the “flying filly”, and her blood still runs in the veins of our families today, and in mares like Zafayra and To The Manor Born who are in the Indian Studbook.

“My father, His Highness the Aga Khan, has maintained this family tradition for 55 years, winning an international total of 15 Derbies, 13 Guineas, 7 Prix de Diane, 4 Arcs — but not the Indian Oaks… yet!”

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2016 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Launching of the Kenya Countdown to 2015 Country Case Study

Kenya has a great opportunity today to build a wonderful health system for women and children that focuses on the continuum of care from village-level provision of primary care to high quality sub-country and country hospitals and then on up to referral and teaching hospitals — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, April 28, 2016

On April 28, 2016, the Aga Khan University, Kenya’s Ministry of Health and a group of partners launched the Countdown to 2015 Country Case Study, a landmark study that will help analyze the country’s progress in reducing maternal and child deaths. The findings will guide efforts to accelerate improvements in maternal and child health and achieve Sustainable Development Goals new targets by 2030. Princess Zhara and Kenya’s First Lady Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta attended the launch. Kenya was one of 10 countries selected for the Study.

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2016 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Inaugurate Health Centre in Gilgit

When my father visited [Northern Pakistan] in the 1960s, he went in on a donkey. The state provided education for boys — and so the AKDN offered education for girls, and very successfully, in many ways. Literacy reached 100 percent. Even the schoolhouses themselves benefited the larger community: Built to a high standard of earthquake-proofing, they could serve as shelters in emergencies — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, in “homecoming” interview, Harvard Gazette, May 13, 2008

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2016 (4): Princess Zahra Aga Khan At Launch of 2nd Phase of Aga Khan Hospital Construction in Dar es Salaam

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2017 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Inaugurates New Bamyan Hospital in Afghanistan

The then Second Vice President of Afghanistan, Sarwar Danesh, and Princess Zahra Aga Khan inaugurated a US $22.8 million state of the art hospital on April 24, 2017 to serve the people of Bamyan. The state-of-the-art 141-bed facility places particular emphasis on the needs of women and children and represents a new chapter for the Bamyan Provincial Hospital.

The Aga Khan Development Network has been committed to the reconstruction of Afghanistan since the beginning of this century, having channelled close to a billion dollars towards the country’s development.

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2017 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan A Opens New State-of-the-Art Laboratory and Low-Cost in-Patient Unit at Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam

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2017 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Inauguration of Aga Khan Hospital’s Latest Cardiology Technology in Mombasa

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2017 (4): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Accompanies Mawlana Hazar Imam for His Diamond Jubilee Visit to Pakistan

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2018: Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee in Lisbon

Princess Zahra has truly been an inspiration to the Jamat with the work she has done for Mawlana Hazar Imam, and for her devotion to the Imamat and the Jamat. She accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam on many visits during the Golden Jubilee Year from July 2007 until December 2008, and her devotion, care, and concern for her beloved father was noted by all of us. Her presence during the Diamond Jubilee in Lisbon in July 2018 added immense joy and happiness during the historical occasion.

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2019 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Receives Huffington Award

We were so humbled to honour Princess Zahra, and it was an inspiration to hear about the many projects in healthcare and education that she and the Aga Khan Development Network have spearheaded globally. Through her work, Princess Zahra is building hope and trust in a world where both are greatly needed. — Bonna Kol, President of Asia Society Texas Center.

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2019 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Visits Canada for the Pluralism Award

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Date posted: September 16, 2025.
Last updated: September 18, 2022.

NOW CONTINUE TO PART 2 OF TRIBUTE TO PRINCESS ZAHRA AGA KHAN

Please continue to PART 2, covering Princess Zahra’s life from 2021-2025.

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