Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

Page created: January 3, 2026, and last updated February 1, 2026, 17:52 EST (Toronto, New York): The Aga Khan arrives in the UK. 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:

• February 1, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in the UK.
• 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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February 1, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in the UK

Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, arrived in London on Sunday, February 1, 2026, for a five-day visit during which he will meet his community of the UK and Ireland. He is scheduled to meet with Ismaili youth in two separate sessions on Monday, February 2, at the Ismaili Centre located in London’s South Kensington. On Tuesday, he will hold a Didar for his Jamat at the ExCel Centre and meet with multi-faith members.

David Pearey, Special Representative of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, warmly welcomed His Highness upon his arrival. Naushad Jivraj, the President of the Aga Khan Ismaili Council for the UK and a delegation of Ismaili leaders that included the Mukhi, Kamadia, Mukhiani and Kamadiani — the congregational leaders of the London Darkhana Jamatkhana — and the Chairman of the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board for the UK, were also among those present at the airport to receive Mawlana Hazar Imam.

This is the Aga Khan’s first visit to his followers in the UK and Ireland since he became the Imam on February 4, 2025, succeeding his father, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, to the Hereditary Throne. His earlier visits were to Portugal, the USA, Uganda, Kenya and France. Preparations for the UK visit have been underway for weeks since it was announced on January 1, 2026. Volunteers have been working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and meaningful experience for all. Amidst celebrations, workshops, and planning sessions, Jamati members of all ages have given their time, energy and devotion to prepare to welcome their beloved Imam to the UK.

Mawlana Hazar Imam’s UK Visit: The Ismaili Update 1

Earlier on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in London for a five-day visit and was welcomed by representatives of the United Kingdom government and leaders of the Jamat. Please watch the arrival video below.

Barakah will provide a comprehensive coverage of this first visit by the Aga Khan to his community in the UK since he became the 50th Imam on February 4, 2025.

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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: Preparing Our Hearts for Didar (Primary resources, continued)
3. U.K. Visit: In the Presence of the Imam (Secondary resources, continued)
4. U.K. Visit: Food & Beverage
5. Dastan – a post-Didar program at ExCel designed to unite the Jamat in a shared experience.
6. U.K. Visit: Arrangements for children
7. U.K. Visit: Learning from Mawlna Hazar Imam’s teachings (Primary resources, continued)
8. U.K. Visit: The Light that shines my way ( Secondary resources, continued)
9. U.K. Visit: ExCel Locker booking
11. U.K. Visit: Sustainability — Our commitment and actions
12. U.K. Visit: Sustainability Charter
13. U.K. Visit: The Light Within (Secondary resources, continued)
14. U.K. Visit: Why do we need a Guide (Primary resources, continued)
15. U.K. Visit: Early Years Learning Resources
16. U.K. Visit: Youth Learning Resources
17. U.K. Visit: Adult Learning Resources
18. U.K. Visit Accommodation
19. U.K. Vsit: Time off Letters (for schools and employers)
20. U.K. Visit: Curiosity and Wonder
21. U.K. Visit: Searching for Light
22. 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
23. UK. Visit: Travelling to ExCel
24. U.K. Visit: Your Stories, Our Gift: Your story matters. Share it with Princes Irfan and Sinan
25. U.K. Visit: Expressions of Shukhrana (Gratitude and thanks)
26. U.K. Visit: Kindness and Pledges
27. U.K.Visit: Race to the Didar
28. U.K. Visit: Resources
29. U.K. Visit: Registration and Registration Eligibility
30. U.K. Visit: Didar day key information (Jamati Didar at ExCel London)
31. U.K. Visit: Call for Volunteers
32. U.K. Visit: Auditions Update
33. U.K. Visit Auditions (deadline January 9),
34. U.K. Visit: Gratitude to Kindness – Gifts to Mawlana Hazar Imam
35. U.K.Visit: Youth Programmes
36. UK Visit: Wara (reciter) auditions (deadline January 9)
37. U.K. Visit: Youth Mulaqat (Youth Didar at the Ismaili Centre, London)
38. U.K. Visit: Inter-faith meeting
39. U.K. Visit: Access Line for assistance
40. 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: February 1, 2026 (Aga Khan UK Arrival)

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