Introduced, prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

INTRODUCTION: This tribute to Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the eldest child of Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, and sister of his successor, Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim Al Hussaini Aga Khan, profoundly expresses our deep respect for the Princess as we honour her on her 55th birthday, September 18, 2025.

Part 1 of the tribute can be read by clicking on Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Pictures: Part I (1970-2020). The material below for Part II has been condensed from a series of comprehensive posts covering news related to Mawlana Hazar Imam and members of his family, namely (1) News: 2021 — 2022; (2) News: 2023; (3) News: January — July 2024; (4) News: August — December 2024 and (5) News: January 2025 – current. Readers are invited to click on the links for more details and insights.

On this joyous occasion, we wish Princess Zahra Aga Khan a happy birthday, a sentiment shared by members of the Ismaili community and friends worldwide.

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 for all events leading up to his death. After February 4, the late Imam is referred to as Mawlana Shah Karim or His Late Highness Aga Khan (IV). Prince Rahim will then 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.

To open the window to the first 50 years of Princess Zahra’s life, 1970 — 2020, please click Part 1.

2021: New Wing at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi is Named Princess Zahra Pavilion

Like all members of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s family, Princess Zahra works silently and effectively. Consequently, the Jamat was deeply pleased to learn that a state-of-the-art wing at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi has been renamed the Princess Zahra Pavilion.

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2022 (1): PRINCESS ZAHRA AGA KHAN JOINS MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM IN MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OF PORTUGAL

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2022 (2): PRINCESS ZAHRA AGA KHAN PRAISES AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY GRADUATES FOR RESILIENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC

More than 660 students in Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda graduated from the Aga Khan University (AKU) in a live-streamed Global Convocation Ceremony that viewers worldwide watched. The ceremony was a celebration of academic achievements and a platform for the University to announce its commitment to becoming carbon-neutral in its operations by 2030. This significant pledge and the inspiring words of climate scientist, author, and activist Dr. Peter Kalmus, the convocation’s chief guest, filled the event with hope and inspiration. The Global Convocation Ceremony also featured the inauguration of President Sulaiman Shahabuddin, who became the third president in AKU’s 39-year history. 

Speaking on behalf of the University’s Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, Princess Zahra Aga Khan praised the graduates for the resilience and agility they demonstrated throughout the pandemic and highlighted AKU’s contributions to the countries it serves. 

“Globally, AKU has educated 18,000 individuals,” Princess Zahra said. “It cares for more than 2 million patients every year from internationally accredited hospitals and was recently ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in public health. It also serves as a trusted advisor to government and is a powerful advocate for pluralism and women’s empowerment. During the pandemic, the value of the University’s capacity for cutting-edge inquiry has never been clearer.”

Addressing the members of the Class of 2021 in all four countries, Princess Zahra said: “No AKU class has worked harder for this moment than you have. The last two years challenged you with lockdowns, quarantines and isolation. In the years to come, you will always be able to look back and draw strength from your achievements during this momentous period.”

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2022 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Hussain Welcome President of Greece as She Meets Refugees at Ismaili Centre Lisbon

Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the first woman to be elected President of Greece, visited the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon on March 30, 2022, and met with refugee families who have arrived in Portugal from Greece in recent months. Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her brother Prince Hussain received the President on her arrival. Hundreds of refugees have arrived in Portugal from Greece. One of the refugees the President met was 13-year-old Arezu Kabuli from Afghanistan, who has been awarded a scholarship to study at the International School of Boston starting in autumn 2022. In recent years, the government of Portugal has prioritised the reception and integration of refugees. It works with local authorities and civil society in a continuous effort to support this commitment. 

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2022 (4): Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Dar es Salaam for New Cancer Treatment Centre

The Citizen Tanzania reported that the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, officially launched the construction of its state-of-the-art Cancer Treatment Centre. The Tanzanian Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu and Princess Zahra Aga Khan laid the foundation stone for the Cancer Centre.

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2022 (5): Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Hussain Attend Iftar Dinner at Ismaili Centre Lisbon

On April 21, 2022, the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon hosted an Iftar dinner at which least 12 different religious traditions were represented, including attendees from the Muslim community in Lisbon, the Hindu community, the Buddhist Union, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Religious Freedom Commission. Diplomats from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the European Union were also present. The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was also present, along with Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Hussain. Iftar, a meal served to bring people together at the end of a day of fasting during the month of Ramadan, was more than just a dinner. It was a celebration of culture and pluralism, a testament to the beauty of diversity. Guests enjoyed an eclectic Iftar dinner featuring a mix of dishes from South Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. “Gatherings such as this one, of unity and understanding, are needed now more than ever,” remarked Nazim Ahmad, Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to Portugal.

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2022 (6): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Conveys Special Message from Mawlana Hazar Imam at the University of Central Asia’s 2022 Graduation Ceremonies

On June 18, 2022, amid the majestic mountains of the Pamirs and Tien Shan, the graduation ceremonies at the two University of Central Asia (UCA) campuses at Naryn and Khorog brought together parents, faculty and many distinguished guests who came to congratulate the students for their academic achievements and promises of successes yet to come. On behalf of the Chancellor, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, a trustee of UCA, conveyed a special message of congratulations. The message concluded as follows:

“As you continue your professional journey, our hopes and aspirations go with you. Ultimately, UCA’s success will be measured by the success of its graduates. No effort has been spared to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable you to thrive in a rapidly changing world, and it is our dearest hope that you will underpin your professional growth with the values of pluralism, pluralism, responsible citizenship, and ethical leadership.”

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2022 (7): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Mawlana Hazar Imam’s 65th Imamat Day Anniversary

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2022 (8): Princess Zahra Aga Khan is Presented with Proclamation of 50 Years of Major Ismaili Settlement in Alberta Province and Canada by Premier Jason Kenney

The celebrations of 50 years of the Ismaili community’s significant presence in Canada continued in Edmonton on September 28, 2022. Princess Zahra and Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Salma Lakhani attended a luncheon at Government House, followed by the formal opening of the Diwan Pavilion at the Aga Khan Garden.

Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney welcomed guests to the event at Government House and paid tribute to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s contributions to Canada in general and the province of Alberta in particular.

He also presented Princess Zahra with a Government Proclamation acknowledging 50 years of the Jamat’s significant presence in Alberta and Canada, and stated in his remarks that Canada has “benefitted incalculably from the contributions of the Ismaili community over these past five decades.” 

Princess Zahra thanked the Province of Alberta for its long-term partnership and support of the Ismaili community and Imamat institutions. 

As far back as the 1980s, Alberta Aid supported education, health, and rural development initiatives of the Aga Khan Foundation, and in 2012, Alberta became the first province in Canada to sign an Agreement of Cooperation with the Ismaili Imamat. “It is a privilege to be here with you today and to express, on behalf of His Highness and the Ismaili community around the world, our gratitude for our permanent friendship,” said Princess Zahra. “Thank you, Alberta, and thank you, Canada, for creating such fertile ground for improving quality of life, not just for the Ismaili community, but for all peoples, regardless of their history, origin, or story,” she added.

She spoke of the experience of moving to Canada as a child and living within its enabling environment. “Most of us have felt surrounded by the open arms and generosity of spirit and resources of countless individuals in Canada who have supported us in our aspirations and reached out to us during our challenging times.” she said before adding, “Just as today we feel a duty, as not so new Canadians, to reach out to others.”

Later in the day, the Diwan Pavilion at the Aga Khan Garden was inaugurated at the University of Alberta’s Botanic Gardens in Edmonton. Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, University of Alberta President Bill Flanagan, and Princess Zahra, on behalf of Mawlana Hazar Imam, presided over the ceremony.

“It is a gift of His Highness the Aga Khan to Alberta,” said Premier Kenney “and we can see in it his remarkable care, his aesthetic sense, his spiritual sense.”

Premier Kenney also shed light on some of the principles that the Garden can teach. “People,” he said, “can bring their families and have a moment of spiritual restoration, of contemplation of beauty, of quiet, of communing with nature, of seeing the best of the spiritual idea of humankind in harmony with nature.” 

The Aga Khan Garden was inaugurated in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam in 2018. It symbolises the hope, peace, and unity that comes when people interact with each other amidst the beauty and inspiration of nature. The Garden was a gift from Hazar Imam to the University of Alberta in honour of its long-standing partnership with the Aga Khan University and broader Aga Khan Development Network.

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2022 (9): Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim at Signing of Agreement Between the Ismaili Imamat and the Province of British Columbia

His Highness has noted that a central mandate of his role as Imam is to work with others to improve the quality of life of the Community and all those amongst whom they live. I want to express my deep gratitude to British Columbia, and to Canada, on behalf of our family and our community, for the ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life of all, reflecting on any shortcomings, and redoubling efforts, such as reconciliation with the indigenous communities — Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Vancouver, September 29, 2022. 

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2023 (1): PrinceSS Zahra Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan Lead Ismaili Imamat and AKDN Delegation to “Climate Resilient pakistan” Conference in Geneva

In a marathon day-long conference held in Geneva on Monday, January 9, 2023, dozens of countries and international institutions pledged more than $9 billion for Pakistan in response to last summer’s record-breaking monsoon rainfall that caused catastrophic flooding, affecting more than 33 million people. Upwards of 1,700 people died, over 2 million were rendered homeless, crops were wiped out, and vital infrastructure was destroyed and damaged.

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the UN Secretary General, a delegation led by Prince Rahim Aga Khan and his sister Princess Zahra Aga Khan, representing the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), attended the conference that was held in Geneva at the Palais des Nations. Consistent with the Imamat and AKDN’s enduring commitment to Pakistan, and specifically climate resilience and adaptation. Prince Rahim and Princess Zahra reiterated the commitment to deepen AKDN’s numerous activities on the ground, in alignment with the 4RF and in continued collaboration with the government, communities and international partners.

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2023 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends Aga Khan University’s First Ever Founder’s Day on its 40th Anniversary

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, the Aga Khan University (AKU) celebrated in Karachi, Pakistan, the graduation of the Class of 2022, its first-ever Founder’s Day and the University’s 40th anniversary. Simultaneously, ceremonies were held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and broadcast online to an international audience of AKU’s friends and supporters. A total of 777 students graduated from AKU’s global campuses with diplomas and degrees in 19 fields, bringing the total number of diplomas and degrees awarded by the University to more than 19,000, including more than 4,500 in East Africa.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan attended the event in Karachi and shared a message from Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Founder and Chancellor of the University. In it, he traced the AKU’s 40-year journey from 1983 to the present, calling the University a source of hope and expressing pride in its achievements and confidence in its future.

Mawlana Hazar Imam said:

“Together, all of us are the custodians of the founding vision. Our history gives us every reason to believe that so long as we remain true to that vision, AKU’s light — the light depicted in the University’s seal — will grow ever brighter, helping to illuminate the path to a better future for the people it serves.”

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2023 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Zanzibar for Aga Khan Polyclinic Opening

To stand where we are today, and to see the Old Dispensary re-opened as a polyclinic makes me immensely proud. This isn’t just about using and improving an iconic building, but it’s about bringing 21st century cutting-edge health services to this health dispensary building and reflecting the evolution of the Aga Khan Health Services and healthcare in Tanzania — Princess Zahra Aga Khan

At a special event on April 25, 2023, attended by Princess Zahra, doors opened to the Aga Khan Polyclinic, Zanzibar, a big step forward for healthcare provision on the island.

The new clinic’s home is the ornate ‘Old Dispensary’ on the waterfront in Zanzibar’s historic capital, Stone Town. Originally built by the Ismaili pioneer Sir Tharia Topan in the 1880s to address local healthcare needs at the time, it operated for this purpose until the government took it over in the revolution of 1964. After decades of disrepair, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture carefully restored the ornate property to its former glory in the 1990s.

At the request of the Government of Zanzibar, the Old Dispensary is now a functioning health centre after being transferred to the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS). Located in the heart of Stone Town, the new clinic is designed to offer a range of services, including emergency and urgent care, enhanced diagnostics, dialysis services, and dentistry.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to His Highness the Aga Khan, Princess Zahra Aga Khan and the Aga Khan Development Network and its development partners, particularly the French Development Agency, AFD, for their ongoing efforts to support the United Republic of Tanzania in implementing our national priorities… may I take this opportunity to extend a warm invitation to His Highness the Aga Khan to visit Zanzibar in the near future. Would you, Princess, kindly convey to him this message: Karibu Sana Zanzibar…His Excellency Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the President of Zanzibar also extends his warm greetings to His Highness the Aga Khan. We would be deeply honoured to have you visit our island again.

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2023 (4): Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Kampala to Launch Construction of AKU Campus

Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni launched the construction of the Aga Khan University’s Kampala campus on Thursday, April 27, 2023. This marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the university’s history as it establishes a long-term future in Uganda.

The new campus will feature a seven-storey University Centre, a nine-storey student housing building, and the Aga Khan University Hospital, Kampala.

“We aim for these facilities — in collaboration with partner governments and educational institutions — to be staffed by highly-trained clinicians, equipped with the latest technologies, and prepared to address the region’s changing burden of disease. Offering care in two dozen specialties, the hospital will, Insha’Allah, provide families with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that specialist care is available here, close to home,” said Princess Zahra.

The Honourable First Lady expressed her wish that the project would have a significant positive impact on the population: “It is my prayer and hope,” she said, “that in the coming years through the Aga Khan Teaching Hospital Kampala, thousands of our people will receive life-saving care, making it a beacon of hope; thousands of our babies will be born in delivery rooms, making it a scene of joy; and that thousands of our young generation will receive quality education, making it a hub for personal growth and transformation.”

“It is with great pleasure,” Princess Zahra concluded, “that we all come together on this absolutely wonderful site to launch this project, which, with your help and with your support, we know will make a huge difference for Uganda, for the region, and for medical care around the world.”

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2023 (5): Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Kyrgyzstan for UCA Graduation Ceremony

On June 15, 2023, the foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev, met with Princess Zahra Aga Khan. She was visiting to participate in the University of Central Asia’s graduation ceremony, which took place at the Naryn campus on June 16. The meeting took place in Bishkek, the country’s capital.

Minister Kulubaev thanked Princess Zahra for AKDN’s active work in Kyrgyzstan in areas significant for the country and for her personal support of the activities of the University of Central Asia, which have a multiplier effect and positively influence the socioeconomic development of the Naryn region. Princess Zahra appreciated the bilateral interaction within the framework of AKDN project activities in the Kyrgyz Republic. She expressed AKDN’s readiness to strengthen its support to Kyrgyzstan in promoting ongoing socio-economic reforms.

After meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubae in Bishkek, Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her children, Sara and Iliyan, travelled to the mountainous town of Naryn. There, they conversed with students, faculty members, and Time and Knowledge (TKN) volunteers at the University of Central Asia’s (UCA) Naryn campus. She also visited Naryn town, exploring the School of Professional and Continuing Education and the Aga Khan Medical Centre.

Princess Zahra and her children also attended a luncheon hosted by the Board of Trustees, where they spoke with graduating students about their time at UCA and their aspirations for the future. Sara and Iliyan were also taken on a tour of the campus by Associate Dean Sohail Ashrafi and members of the graduating class. They interacted with students and heard stories of their experiences at UCA.

To celebrate its students’ outstanding achievements, the University hosted a student awards night, attended by Princess Zahra. The atmosphere was filled with joy and emotion, not least for the recipients, who were honoured with well-deserved accolades.

On June 16, 2023, the University of Central Asia’s Class of 2023 was honoured for their achievements at a special convocation ceremony held at campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, andKhorog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan.

Princess Zahra acknowledged the students’ achievements during a rigorous few years and encouraged graduates to look ahead to the future. She said:

“In your time at UCA, you forged friendships that will last a lifetime….You acquired a new sense of who you are and what you are capable of. You tried and failed, tried again and succeeded, and felt the wind of confidence fill your sails and propel you toward new tests and trials.”

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Princess Zahra also shared a message from Mawlana Hazar Imam, who underlined the challenges that Central Asia and the wider world face today, including new forms of artificial intelligence, climate change, and globalisation. He said UCA has helped to prepare graduates to tackle these challenges.

“In my eyes, you embody promise,” Hazar Imam’s message read. “The promise of a new generation, alive to new ways of collaborating, communicating, and thinking; and the promise of a new university, alert to emerging problems and eager to identify new opportunities to serve its countries. Born as the University of Central Asia was first taking shape, you are as young as the University itself. Equally bright futures lie ahead of you and your alma mater.” 

“My wish,” Hazar Imam’s message concluded, “is that you will both continue to draw strength and inspiration from one another for many, many decades to come.

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2023 (6): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Welcomes Zanzibar’s Minister for Tourism to the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat

The Tanzanian, The Citizen, reported that Princess Zahra Aga Khan met Minister Simai Mohamed on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon. The visit came on the heels of Princess Zahra’s visit to Zanzibar in May 2023 to inaugurate a Polyclinic. Minister Said accompanied Mr. Rahim Bhaloo, Chairman of the Zanzibar Commission of Tourism. Mr. Nazim Ahmad was also present at the meeting. During the meeting, Princess Zahra and her guests discussed various issues, including the activities and presence of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies in Zanzibar. They also explored areas of cooperation in fields such as education, culture, and other programmes, which they described as the core foundation for improving the quality of life of populations.

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2023 (7): Princess Zahra Aga Khan is Welcomed by THE University of Michigan as its Partnership with Aga Khan University Deepens to Address Global Health Challenges

The University of Michigan (U-M) welcomed Princess Zahra Aga Khan and representatives from Aga Khan University (AKU) campuses in Pakistan and Kenya on October 30, 2023. Senior leadership from both universities formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)) to expand ongoing collaborative efforts. The MOU was powered by a $900,000 gift from AKU to U-M to expand ongoing collaborative efforts.

The visit builds on a collaborative effort to use data science to improve health outcomes in under-resourced settings in sub-Saharan Africa. The collaboration started in 2019 and was formalised with a signed Memorandum of Understanding in 2021. The joint efforts have already yielded significant strides in strengthening health systems, informing health policy, utilising technology to promote health equity and empowering women.

“Partnership is powerful,” Princess Zahra Aga Khan said. “The AKU/U-M Collaborative Platform for Improving Health builds on what is already a highly successful partnership between two institutions with common values and unique strengths. I look forward to seeing our faculty members continue to work together to deliver new tools and insights that can improve health in Africa, Asia and beyond.”

“The visit of Princess Zahra Aga Khan and the distinguished AKU delegation is a testament to the enduring bond between our institutions, founded on shared values and a common vision for a better world,” said U-M President Santa Ono. He added: “This historic celebration is not only an opportunity to honour our past achievements but to set a course for an even brighter future of partnership and collaboration.”

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2023 (8): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Attends the 4th Pluralism Award Ceremony in Ottawa

The 2023 Global Pluralism Award Ceremony was held on November 14, 2023, in Ottawa, Canada, at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building on Sussex Drive, the National Capital’s ceremonial road. Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Board Member of the Centre, and the Pluralism Award winners delivered insightful remarks at the ceremony.

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2024 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan’s 6-Day Visit to kENYA

February 20, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Visits Kisumu to Commemorate Aga Khan Hospital Expansion

Located in Kisumu, the third-largest city in Kenya, the Aga Khan Hospital currently serves nearly 600,000 people in the Lake region bloc and even receives patients from Uganda and bordering towns of Tanzania. Over the years, the hospital has become a hub of qualified doctors and nurses who provide cutting-edge care to the community. The hospital, operated by the Aga Khan Health Service (AKHS) Kenya, was first established as an 18-bed dispensary and maternity home in 1952 and grew into a 46-bed facility by 1985. Today, it is an ultra-modern, 123-bed, state-of-the-art institution that provides integrated healthcare services, offering advanced clinical programs in cardiology, oncology, neurosciences, critical care, and maternal-child health, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care.

Princess Zahra visited Kisumu on February 20, 2024, to celebrate the Hospital’s expansion: “This hospital project is embedded in a regional system, which is now novel, exceptional, and probably has a very long way to go,” said Princess Zahra.  She added, “It provides affordable, quality care to the people in the region, and it’s part of a network structure that makes affordable care available to every level of the population.”

Through its French Development Agency, the Government of Francegenerously contributed to Aga Khan Hospital’s expansion, as noted in the expansion plaque unveiled during Princess Zahra’s visit.

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February 19, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Joins Students to Celebrate the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa’s 20th Anniversary

Tha Aga Khan Academy Mombasa was inaugurated by Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, and the late Mwai Kibaki, the former president of Kenya, on December 20, 2003. The Mombasa Academy is the first in an integrated, global network of residential schools known as the Aga Khan Academies, with other campuses located in Hyderabad, India; Maputo, Mozambique; and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan joined students, staff, and guests on Monday, February 19, 2024, to celebrate the Academy’s 20th anniversary as part of her six-day visit to Kenya.

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Princess Zahra cut a cake outside the Commons building to mark the occasion and joined the entire school for a group photograph. Students presented her with a gift on stage and also prepared a gift for Mawlana Hazar Imam. They requested that she pass on their gratitude to Hazar Imam for his vision in establishing the Aga Khan Academies.

In her address Princess Zahra said:

“Schools are optimistic places. Although young people go through many challenging transitions in their lives, we aim to make the Academy a positive and memorable experience for all, one that helps young people to set the right course for their lives and build their character and attributes as leaders. The purpose of schooling here the is not merely to support students to pass exams to enable them to enter the next phase of their education. Of course, exams are important, but the Academy embarked on a broader ambition, one that is at the heart of AKDN’s work for the betterment of society.”

In his welcome address, Mr. Colin Webster, the Head of the Academy in Mombasa, said:

“From the beginning, the Academy has asked students not just to be leaders but to be ethical leaders. This is something the world often feels in short supply of,” Mr Webster added. “More than anything we prepare our students to go out and live in a pluralistic world. Today, our students get to experience that pluralism in the student body with over 20-25 different nationalities and those who practise many different faiths.”

As part of the Academy’s mission, it admits students based on merit, regardless of their ability to pay, and over 50 percent of the students receive some form of financial assistance.

FLASHBACK 2003 — The Inauguration of the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa

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February 18, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Expresses Satisfaction With Renovations at Aga Khan Hospital Mombasa

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), and Mr Bertrand Willocquet, Country Director of AFD, visited the Aga Khan Hospital, Mombasa, on February 18, 2024, and expressed their satisfaction with the renovation and its enhanced capacity.

The renovation project represents a total investment of $12.2 million, with significant support from Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The refurbishment has transformed the 86-bed facility into a state-of-the-art 115-bed secondary hospital, offering comprehensive, integrated health services to the communities it serves. The facility now features a dedicated Accidents and Emergency Unit, a larger Intensive Care Unit, the region’s first private-sector Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the inaugural Sleep Lab utilising cutting-edge technology for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Holding Level 5 certification from SafeCare Health Standards, the hospital is well-equipped to offer specialised care in cardiology, oncology, neurology, psychiatry, advanced surgeries, and more. The completed renovation of the Aga Khan Hospital marks a milestone in its ongoing commitment to providing quality health care to nearly 1.2 million people.

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February 17, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Addresses AKU Convocation in Nairobi, Kenya

More than 730 students graduated from the Aga Khan University (AKU) on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at ceremonies attended by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and other dignitaries, including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Honorable Ezekiel Machogu, who read a speech by President of Kenya, His Excellency William Ruto. In total, 391 students graduated in Pakistan and 332 in East Africa, including 159 in Kenya, 106 in Uganda and 67 in Tanzania. Eleven students graduated from the London-based Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. The graduates were awarded degrees in almost two dozen fields in nursing, medicine, education, journalism and the study of Muslim civilisations. Nearly 70 percent of the members of the Class of 2023 are women. 

“On graduating, you return to a world that is full of daunting challenges but also of endless possibilities,” Princess Zahra Aga Khan said in Nairobi, speaking on behalf of AKU’s founder and Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan. “Continue to strive with courage and optimism to grasp opportunities to serve your communities and contribute to a more pluralistic and peaceful world.” 

“I have great faith in this group of men and women,” President Ruto said in the remarks shared by Cabinet Secretary Machogu. “The reason for my faith is simple: I know what the Aga Khan University stands for. It stands for high standards, access based on merit and service to society.” 

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Princess Zahra detailed some of the many achievements that have made the University’s 40^th anniversary year one of the most consequential in its history. AKU celebrated its anniversary on March 16, 2023. “We are hopeful that these new and continuing programmes and facilities will make AKU an increasingly powerful platform for the education of leaders, the creation of relevant knowledge and the delivery of world-class education and health care,” said Princess Zahra, who credited the Governments of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Pakistan, and the East African Community, with creating an enabling environment for the University. 

AKU President and Vice-Chancellor Sulaiman Shahabuddin called the day a “crowning moment” for the graduates. “That AKU has been able to achieve so much across its four decades is above all thanks to its founder, Chancellor and chief benefactor, His Highness the Aga Khan,” President Shahabuddin said. “His Highness’s vision continues to guide us and continually inspire us with the strength to make bold decisions that keep AKU at the forefront of innovation, quality and impact.” 

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February 16, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Meets Kenya’s President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto

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2024 (2): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Westminster Abbey for Annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration

Princess Zahra Aga Khan attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, March 11, 2024. Princess Zahra is listed as an Honorary Steward, Representing the Vice President of the Royal Commonwealth Society, on page 5 of The 2024 Commonwealth Day Service of Service Booklet.

In attendance in a program consisting of prayers, singing, and vibrant and colourful dancing were members of the Royal Family, including Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. His Majesty King Charles III did not attend the ceremony following recent medical procedures but delivered an inspiring speech.

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2024 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan’s Visit to Tanzania

May 2, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Cancer Centre

On May 2, 2024, the esteemed Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), and the honourable Tanzania’s deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Doto Mashaka Biteko, came together to inaugurate a cutting-edge Cancer Care Centre at Dar es Salaam’s Aga Khan Hospital. The Hospital, managed by AKHS, a healthcare institution with a legacy dating back to the 1920s, is a testament to their unwavering commitment to healthcare in East Africa.

Pollutants in the air, food and water, and a shift away from protective traditional diets as well as longer lifespans are causing higher rates of cancer in East Africa. The Tanzania Comprehensive Cancer Project (TCCP) has worked to improve this situation over the last four years. Its initiative led to the creation of the Aga Khan Hospital Cancer Centre. The Centre will accommodate 100 patients per day for radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and screening and vaccination services, reducing wait times and helping to cover costs for many patients who could not otherwise afford treatment. Machines with capability for 3D imaging and high-precision radiotherapy will enable state-of-art treatment.

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During his address at the opening ceremony, Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko conveyed appreciation on behalf of Tanzania’s President, and commended AKDN’s many years of work in the country. “Your decision to build a cancer treatment centre is another testament to your efforts, and this contribution to our country is truly commendable. We thank you very much,” he said.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan in her remarks said:

“Today, to see this incredible tertiary investment in Dar es Salaam is a testament not only to the progress that Tanzania is making in health care, progress that AKDN, Aga Khan Health Services, and Aga Khan University are causing to happen, in the countries where we work, but also to the vision of [the AKDN health] system to be able to provide health care to millions at the primary level, but also provide advances to this level of care, where we’re really seeing the height of technology in health care,” she said, expressing her appreciation to everyone involved.

May 3, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Meets Prime Minister of Tanzania

On the morning of May 3, 2024, Princess Zahra met with the Prime Minister of Tanzania, the Honourable Kassim Majaliwa, at his office in Mlimwa, Dodoma. They discussed matters of mutual interest, and the government recognised the efforts being made by the Aga Khan Development Network to serve the people of Tanzania, particularly in the health and education sectors. AKDN agencies have been present in Tanzania for over a century, working in the fields of poverty alleviation, education, health care, economic development and cultural restoration.

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2024 (4): Princess Zahra Aga Khan’s Visit to Northern Pakistan

May 26, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan is Hosted to Dinner by Ismaili Institutions

Princess Zahra Aga Khan concluded her six-day visit to Northern Pakistan with a dinner hosted on May 26, 2024, in Islamabad, by Pakistan’s Ismaili community institutions.

Princess Zahra’s visit covered more than a dozen projects across various districts and regions, including the inauguration of the Aga Khan Hostel in Sherqilla and a new purpose-built Aga Khan Health Centre in Aliabad. She also visited visited Chitral. Princess Zahra’s son, Ilyan, accompanied her on the visit.

In her remarks at the institutional dinner, Princess Zahra acknowledged the vital work being done in Pakistan: “It’s thanks to every single person in this system. Officially, unofficially. Unemployed. Volunteer. Donor. Friend. Every single person makes this network of agencies and institutions what it is. And so I just stand here as a representative of an ongoing vision. The vision that we’re all following, His Highness’ vision that has had such a huge impact… And I just want to say thank you.”

The President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan, Nizar Mewawalla, in his remarks, said: “I would like to request Princess Zahra and her dear son, Iliyan, to please visit us again soon, because your visit here not only inspires the rest of us and the Jamats and the communities in which we work to do better, to do more. This is all driven by the spirit of the vision of our Imam. And your presence here makes us feel his presence in a much more direct manner. So thank you very much.”

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May 25, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Visits Chitral

On May 25, 2024, Prince Zahra and her son Ilyan, visited the Chitral Diagnostic Centre and the Aga Khan Medical Centre Booni, the hub facility of the Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan, in the Chitral region. The centre was established to provide primary and comprehensive obstetric, neonatal, and child health care to approximately 250,000 people living in Upper Chitral and now serves as a significant health care provider in the region. They also visited the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat’s (AKAH) Emergency Operation Centre in Chitral and the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Seenlasht. While at the school, Princess Zahra planted a tree as a symbolic groundbreaking for a new school to be built in nearby Garamchashma. 

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May 24, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Inaugurates Aga Khan Hostel in Sherqilla, Visits AKDN Projects in Immit and Gakhukch, and Observes Emergency Simulation by AKAH Response Teams

On May 23, 2024, Princess Zahra inaugurated the Aga Khan Hostel in Sherqillaa, a new facility designed to cater to and support female students of the adjacent Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Sherqilla. The hostel will provide boarding for more than 100 students from valleys around Gilgit-Baltistan, such as Yasin, Ishkoman, Gupis, and Puniyal. It will enable them to attend the nearby Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Sherqilla, from Grades 8 to 12.

The school started as the Diamond Jubilee Middle School, Sherqilla, in 1968. The new purpose-built campus was inaugurated by Mawlana Hazar Imam in 1983 during his Silver Jubilee. In 2012, the school became the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Sherqilla. “The Aga Khan School, Sherqilla, is a project of which everyone in the Jamat and in the village can be proud,” Hazar Imam said at the time.

Today, the school is well-known for its commitment to high standards, and many of its students come from remote and underserved communities. The Aga Khan Hostel, Sherqilla, provides female students with a safe, nurturing, and academically engaging residential environment.

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Its convenient location next to the school enables students to fully immerse themselves in school life. This will support young minds on their educational journeys and help them grow into well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to their communities and beyond.

During the day, Princess Zahra and Iliyan visited a health centre, the Diamond Jubilee School in Immit and the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Gakhukch. They also observed an emergency simulation by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH)’s emergency response teams.

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May 23, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Inaugurates Aga Khan Health Centre in Aliabad; Visits Aga Khan School and Professional Development Centre

On May 23, 2024, Princess Zahra attended the inauguration of the purpose-built Aga Khan Health Centre in Aliabad. This new facility aims to boost healthcare quality in the region, treating illnesses and promoting overall well-being.

Equipped with the latest medical technologies and staffed by highly trained healthcare professionals, the new centre is a significant step forward in the infrastructure of Aliabad and the surrounding area, bringing timely and effective medical services closer to the community. The new centre includes:

• Digital-health services.
• An accident and emergency department.
• A high-dependency unit.
• Comprehensive obstetric and neonatal services.

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In the hub-and-spokes model that the Aga Khan Health Service has adopted in Pakistan, the centre is linked to the Aga Khan Hospital in Gilgit for referrals. At the same time, Aliabad serves as a sub-hub for nine basic health centres in Hunza and Nagar. The facility also provides digital health services, where patients can receive tele-consultations for psychiatry and dermatology. 

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May 22, 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Arrives in Gilgit-Baltistan

The May 23, 2024, edition of Pakistan’s Daily Times reported that Princess Zahra Aga Khan was warmly received by Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan when she arrived in Gilgit on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The Ismaili website mentions that Princess Zahra also called on the Governor before embarking on her visits related to Imamat projects.

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2024 (5): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at Ireland’s Maynooth University

Princess Zahra Aga Khan attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan University (AKU) and Ireland’s Maynooth University (MU). This first-of-its-kind partnership will promote collaboration in research, student and staff mobility, and knowledge exchange in mutual expertise and development areas. AKU President Sulaiman Shahabuddin and MU President Professor Eeva Leinonen signed the agreement.

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“The world has never been more interconnected than it is today,” Princess Zahra Aga Khan said. “That means problems are more complex, but also that there are unprecedented opportunities for collaboration across borders. I look forward to seeing AKU and Maynooth help one another to address the health, education, climate and other challenges facing the people they serve in creative new ways.”

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2024 (5): 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.”

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2024 (6): Princess Zahra accepts award on behalf of her father as he is Honoured by Horse Racing Ireland

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 Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, 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.

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December (7): PRINCESS ZAHRA AGA KHAN’S INTERVIEW WITH FARAH NASSER

Canada’s award-winning journalist, Farah Nasser, conducted an insightful and inspiring interview with Princess Zahra regarding her lifetime of work for Mawlana Hazar Imam and his futuristic vision. Her reflections as a mother on the good human values to instill in young children and youth as they grow are heartwarming. This must-watch interview explores developmental projects and how they contribute to a better world through their commitment and passion. Princess Zahra, thank you for this wonderful and inspiring interview in which you talk so lovingly about our beloved Hazar Imam. And Farah, thank you for conducting a gracious interview with our beloved Princess.

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2025 (1): Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Olli-Pekka Heinonen Renew MOU between Aga khan development network and International Baccalaureate

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), which first signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2010, have renewed the MoU to strengthen access to high-quality education for students across the Global South and provide richer opportunities for educational research and growth. The renewal was signed on January 13, 2025, by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and the Director General of the IB, Olli-Pekka Heinonen.

“This renewal of AKDN’s agreement with the IB reinforces our longstanding relationship and strengthens our continued work based on a shared belief in the ability of education to achieve societal improvement,” said Princess Zahra. “AKDN looks forward to working with the IB to increase access to high-quality education that is relevant to students from diverse cultures and traditions.”

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2025 (2): The passing of Mawlana Shah Karim, February 4, and the Takht-nihsini of Mawlana Shah Rahim, February 11

For parents, daughters are particularly special. Mawlana Shah Karim had one, Princess Zahra! Who can forget that she accompanied her father on almost every Golden Jubilee visit? However, she had been with him since her childhood, as this special post celebrating her 55th birthday beautifully illustrates. Her passion and dedication over the past 35 years to supporting his personal interests and missions, as well as the broader scope of Ismaili Imamat activities through the Aga Khan Development Network, Jamati, and institutional programs, are truly heartwarming. So his passing on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88, was the most challenging and emotional day in her life. However, as her father had wished in his will, within days, she was on a mission to East Africa and Pakistan to present the 2024 Class of Aga Khan University graduates with their degrees and diplomas. It showed her strength and resolve at a very difficult moment in her life.

FATHER, DAUGHTER AND FAMILY: MOMENTS OF TOGETHERNESS

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MAWLANA SHAH RAHIM, THE 50TH IMAM, ON PRINCESS ZAHRA

Her younger brother, Prince Rahim, on becoming the 50th Hereditary Imam, succeeding Mawlana Shah Karim, spoke about Princess Zahra during his Takht-nishini (ceremonial installation) on February 11, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal. He said:

“My sister, Princess Zahra, has played a major leadership role for many years, contributing with all her heart, intellect and capcity to advance the well-being of the Jamat. I know that she is still wll loved and admired by the Jamat and the leadership and staff of our institution. These sentiments are well deserved, and I share them too.”

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2025 (3): Princess Zahra Aga Khan at AKU graduation ceremonies in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania

Within days after the passing of her father, Princess Zahra travelled to East Africa from February 20 to 24, 2025, to participate in Aga Khan University’s Class of 2024 graduation ceremonies. She fondly remembered Mawlana Shah Karim in all her remarks at the three convocations. In Uganda on February 20 — as well as later graduation ceremonies in Kenya and Tanzania — she explained the importance of the convocations with the following words:

“This year’s Convocation is especially meaningful as we strive to honour the legacy of our Founder and Chancellor’s visionary leadership, unwavering support and great love for this University and its people. Around the world, our alumni embody his aspiration for AKU graduates to be leaders and change agents who transform their professions, take on societal challenges and uplift humanity.” 

In Uganda, 118 women and men graduated. Among them were nurses, midwives, educators, and journalists. The University marked a significant milestone in its history, as it awarded its 5,000th degree or diploma in East Africa. It also looked forward to another milestone: the completion of the University’s Academic Centre and student residence in Kampala, which occurred a few months later when she and her brother, Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini, visited Uganda from September 10 – 12, 2025.

At the Convocation in Kenya on February 22, one hundred and sixty-four women and men were conferred degrees in nursing, midwifery, education, digital journalism, media leadership, and medicine. For the first time ever, graduates of the Medical College, East Africa’s fellowship programme, participated in the convocation, with 16 fellows receiving certificates in cardiology, medical oncology, neonatology, nuclear medicine and paediatric neurology. 

Paying tribute to her father she said:

“My father always envisioned this university as a global institution of distinction — one that serves developing societies, embraces cultural diversity, and fosters innovation. What does this vision mean for us today? It means global impact, progress, and inclusivity in every dimension.” In an emotional moment, she said: “Around the world, our alumni embody his aspiration for AKU graduates to be leaders and change agents who transform their professions, take on societal challenges and uplift humanity.” 

The final convocation in East Africa was on February 24 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Seventy-one nurses, doctors, journalists and educators were conferred degrees in their respective disciplines. This came at a time when the University is expanding its scope, with nine new degrees launched in the last three years, including a four-year Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in Tanzania. While praying tributes to Mawlana Shah Karim, the convocation also welcomed

The Aga Khan University (AKU) celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2024 in Tanzania on Monday. With Princess Zahra Aga Khan in attendance, the University paid tribute to its late founder and first Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan IV, and welcomed his successor, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. 

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2025 (4): Princess Zahar at AKU Graduation in Karachi — His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan appoints Princess Zahra as Pro-Chancellor of the Aga Khan University

Jet lag or not, from East Africa, Princess Zahra, the longest-serving member of AKU’s Board of Trustees, travelled to Karachi, where she took on a new and significant role as the newly installed Imam appointed her to serve as the University’s Pro-Chancellor and act on his behalf. This important announcement was made by the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Zakir Mahmood, during the graduation ceremony, where 473 women and men graduated from the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Pakistan on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Students earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 16 different fields in nursing, medicine and education. More than 70 percent of the graduates are women. To date, AKU has awarded nearly 16,000 degrees, diplomas and postgraduate certificates in Pakistan. 

The event also served as a deeply respectful and appreciative tribute to the late Founder and first Chancellor, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. In her address, she said:

“It brings me much happiness that my brother, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, in accordance with my father’s wishes and the founding charter of AKU, has become Chancellor,” Princess Zahra said. “I am deeply honoured that His Highness has appointed me Pro-Chancellor of AKU, so that, together — in our respective roles — we may continue to sustain and strengthen this remarkable institution, remaining true to our father’s vision for the University.” 

Students earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 16 different fields in nursing, medicine and education. More than 70 percent of the graduates are women. To date, AKU has awarded nearly 16,000 degrees, diplomas and postgraduate certificates in Pakistan. 

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2025 (5): His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Receive Highest Honours from Kenya

President William Ruto of Kenya conferred on Mawlana Shah Rahim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan V, and his sister, Princess Zahra, the prestigious Order of the Golden Heart. The Order is split into three classes: Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) and Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart. The actual award ceremony took place in Kenya between August 25-27, 2025.

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2025 (6): Princess Zahra Aga Khan Bestowed with an Honorary Degree of Laws by Concordia University (Includes Video)

Following an earlier announcement Concordia University bestowed Princess Zahra Aga Khan with an honorary doctorate of Laws, LLD, 2025, “for her inspired leadership, shaping futures through education, healthcare and cultural stewardship.” This event took place on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the University’s convocation for the Faculty of Arts and ScienceIt coincided with Concordia’s 50th-anniversary celebration, marked a significant milestone in the University’s history. Princess Zahra was accompanied to the event by her children, Sara (b. 2000) and Iliyan (b, 2002).

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Princess Zahra, in her address, punctuated in French and English, said:

“I accept this honorary degree with utmost respect, humility and gratitude, on behalf of all those around the world, from remote villages to isolated valleys. Their unwavering commitment and selfless dedication to the cause of development, to improving the quality of life of people in the most vulnerable communities around the world, is the true foundation of this honour.” 

The convocation ceremony was graced by Princess Zahra’s inspiring message to the graduating class. Her words, filled with hope and determination, resonated with the audience, encouraging them to embark on their future with optimism and resilience.

“You, the graduands, have had the good fortune of studying in a country that values freedom, compassion, pluralism, equity, democracy, openness to others, education, generosity, and a spirit of welcome. Keep these values in your hearts and in your actions throughout your lives, as they will allow you to build a better world for all.” (Please watch the video below)

As part of her visit, Princess Zahra had the opportunity to meet with several Ismaili students and Aga Khan Schools graduates, all currently enrolled at Concordia. This meeting underscored the fruitful collaboration between Concordia and AKDN agencies on various educational initiatives since 2010. The University’s scholarships for select Aga Khan Schools graduates have been instrumental in enabling them to pursue and complete higher education in Canada.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, 2025 Concordia Honorary Doctorate (11:51 minutes)

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2025 (7): Princess Zahra Aga Khan attends the opening of the Aga Khan University Campus in Kampala

Accompanying his brother, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Princess Zahra, was honoured with the Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa (Grand Commander) in recognition of her long-standing contributions to health, education and women’s empowerment.

The award ceremony coincided with the inauguration of the new Aga Khan University Campus where significant new investments in higher education and healthcare were unveiled. Her Excellency the First Lady, the Honourable Janet Museveni, was also present at the award ceremony along with Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan.

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SEPTEMBER 18, 2025: Happy Birthday, Princess Zahra

Every year, I make 3 or 4 trips to the Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton. In winter, I visit after a fresh snowfall. With some guilt, I walk in my aggressive winter boots into beautiful, untouched, and pristine snow. In late spring, I witness the miraculous signs of life as trees and flowers start budding with leaves and flowers. July and August offer a breathtaking display of lovely flowers planted in several flower and plant beds below the iconic Talar building. The Cala pond also comes alive with wildlife as ducks swim leisurely through it, many with their tiny and delicate newborns. And finally, autumn unveils a stunning miracle of nature as planted larch trees — they usually are found on higher mountain altitudes — turn their needles from green to golden before falling off! With trees bereft of their leaves, the sky and sunsets look stunning. Often, there are performances and weddings held in the Diwan building, which was inaugurated by Princess Zahra on September 28, 2022. I never fail to remember her! So for her 55th birthday, Barakah presents the following photos taken during the summer of 2025.

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On her 55th birthday, we sincerely offer our prayers for her good health and long life. We extend our congratulations to her two children, Sarah and Iliyan, as well as to Mawlana Hazar Imam and his family. The global Jamat has truly appreciated her inspiring and dedicated service to Mawlana Shah Karim for decades, and we hope that she will continue to enrich the Jamat during the the Imamat of her brother.

We conclude with an excerpt from Mawlana Hazar Imam’s historic Takht-nishini address to the Jamat on February 11, 2025:

“My sister, Princess Zahra, has played a major leadership role for many years, contributing with all her heart, intellect and capacity to advance the well-being of the Jamat. I know that she is still well-loved and admired by the Jamat and the leadership and staff of our institution. These sentiments are well deserved, and I share them too.” — Mawlana Shah Rahim Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan.

Date posted: September 18, 2025.

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To read Part I of this birthday tribute, please click Princess Zahra Aga Khan in Pictures: Part I (1970-2020).

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