Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

Page created: January 3, 2026, and last updated January 26, 2026, 22:55 EST: More links added to Visit Details. Please share this page with your family and friends in the UK.

Anchor Links: His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to the U.K.

Please visit this page frequently for updates on His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to the U.K. from February 1-5, 2026. For quick access to our stories posted on this page, please click on the following anchor links:

• January 3, 2026: Message from Naushad Jivraj, the President, His Highness the Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the UK
• January 1-2, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan announces official visit to the U.K.
• January 2, 2026: Essential details released by U.K. Ismaili institutions (this is updated regularly)
• March 13, 2025: Background note — King Charles grants the title of His Highness to the new Aga Khan
• Ginan: Supplication to the Imam-of-the-Time

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January 3, 2026: Message from the President of the Aga Khan Council for the UK

A special video message from Naushad Jivraj, President of the Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom Jurisdiction on the occasion of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to the United Kingdom.

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jANUARY 1-2, 2026: Announcement of His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to THE u.k

In a Talika Mubarak (holy written message) read in Jamatkhanas in the UK and other parts of the world on January 1-2, 2026, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, informed his Ismaili community (Jamat) that he will undertake an official visit to the U.K in February 2026. The Ismaili, the official website of the Ismaili community, reports that the visit will take place from February 1 to 5, and will include the Jamat of the Republic of Ireland. Mawlana Hazar Imam also told the Jamat about plans for a separate trip to Germany, for which dates will be announced later. To focus his attention on the Jamat in the U.K., Mawlana Hazar Imam does not wish members of the Jamat from other countries to travel to the U.K. during the visit.

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January 2, 2026: U.K. visit essential details

Following the announcement, the Ismaili Institutions in the U.K. published essential details and programs related to the visit. Please visit the following pages on the Ismaili website:

1. U.K. Visit: The Ismaili Instagram page has posted the above image that provides details of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s program on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the ExCel Centre
2. U.K. Visit: Arrangements for children
3. U.K. Visit: Learning from Mawlna Hazar Imam’s teachings (Primary resources, continued)
4. U.K. Visit: The Light that shines my way ( Secondary resources, continued)
5. U.K. Visit: ExCel Locker booking
7. U.K. Visit: Sustainability — Our commitment and actions
8. U.K. Visit: Sustainability Charter
9. U.K. Visit: The Light Within (Secondary resources, continued)
10. U.K. Visit: Why do we need a Guide (Primary resources, continued)
11. U.K. Visit: Early Years Learning Resources
12. U.K. Visit: Youth Learning Resources
13. U.K. Visit: Adult Learning Resources
14. U.K. Visit Accommodation
15. U.K. Vsit: Time off Letters (for schools and employers)
16. U.K. Visit: Curiosity and Wonder
17. U.K. Visit: Searching for Light
18. U.K. Visit: Didar day key information
    • Didar: Tuesday, February 3, at ExCel London
    • Youth Mulaqats: Monday, February 2, and Tuesday, February 3, at the Ismaili Centre London
    • Interfaith Family Meeting: Tuesday, February 3, at ExCel London
19. UK. Visit: Travelling to ExCel
20. U.K. Visit: Your Stories, Our Gift: Your story matters. Share it with Princes Irfan and Sinan
21. U.K. Visit: Expressions of Shukhrana (Gratitude and thanks)
22. U.K. Visit: Kindness and Pledges
23. U.K.Visit: Race to the Didar
24. U.K. Visit: Resources
25. U.K. Visit: Registration and Registration Eligibility
26. U.K. Visit: Didar day key information (Jamati Didar at ExCel London)
27. U.K. Visit: Call for Volunteers
28. U.K. Visit: Auditions Update
29. U.K. Visit Auditions (deadline January 9),
30. U.K. Visit: Gratitude to Kindness – Gifts to Mawlana Hazar Imam
31. U.K.Visit: Youth Programmes
32. UK Visit: Wara (reciter) auditions (deadline January 9)
33. U.K. Visit: Youth Mulaqat (Youth Didar at the Ismaili Centre, London)
34. U.K. Visit: Inter-faith meeting
35. U.K. Visit: Access Line for assistance
36. U.K. Visit: Calendar of events (January 5 to February 1)

We also recommend that you click on the following links to learn about the special status of the Imam and other pertinent material on the Didar of the Imam-of-the-Time.

• Special status of the Imam
• Didar of the Imam-of-the-Time: Life’s ultimate goal by Mawlana Mustansir bi’llah, 15th Century

The visit to the UK will be the Aga Khan’s sixth to his spiritual children since becoming the Imam on February 4, 2025, following his recent visits to France, Kenya, Uganda, the USA and Portugal (click on the links for Barakah’s special coverage of the five trips).

We heartily congratulate the Jamat of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and share their excitement for this event. We are fully committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the visit, ensuring that our readers worldwide are well-informed, as we did with Mawlana Hazar Imam’s earlier visits.

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March 13, 2025: A background note

Within days of becoming the 50th Imam upon the death of his father, Mawlana Shah Karim, on February 4, 2025, His Majesty King Charles III conferred the title of His Highness to Mawlana Hazar Imam. This act continues a historic tradition where the Monarch bestows the title, symbolizing the enduring bond between the British Crown and the Ismaili community, dating back to the first Aga Khan.

The background details regarding the granting of the title of His Highness to Mawlana Hazar Imam and his immediate 4 predecessors, from Aga Khan I to Aga Khan IV, can be read under the story titled The King is pleased to grant the new Aga Khan the title “His Highness”.

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Ginan: A perennial supplication to the Imam-of-the-Time from all his spiritual children worldwide

Transliteration

Eji, Aash Karine Ya Ali hun tere dar ubhi,
Kar jodine em mangu Ya Shah;
Dejo didar tusi mahavar datar Shah,
Hama tere charane lagu.

Translation

With hope I stand at Thy door,
O Ali! And sincerely beg of Thee;
Bless me with Thy Holy Didar,
O Great Lord and Benefactor!
At Thy Feet I fall to prostrate

and

O Exalted Islam Shah [Imam-of-the-Time]
Our Lord and Master of the Age,
To you our hearts devoutly supplicate,
O the Eternal King and Lord of our souls!
Grace us with your visit to the Indian Subcontinent
[The Imam’s base at the time was in Iran.]
O Ali! You are Eternal,
You are the Lord of Eternity.
You alone are the Knower of the End,
Of the End that has no End

(Verses from Venti Ginan and Anant Akhado composed by Pir Hasan Kabirdin)

Date posted: January 3, 2026.
Last updated: January 26, 2026 (more links added to visit details)

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