Introduced and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

As Ismailis worldwide come together to celebrate the historic first Imamat Day of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the 50th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, Barakah presents a collection of his speeches from the past 12 months. They cover a diverse array of topics — from arts and culture to education and the urgency of the climate crisis. His messages and speeches deepen our understanding of his teachings and encourage hope and motivation to address the challenges we face today.

February 18, 2025: Message from hIS hIGHNESS THE aGA kHAN — A Reflection on the two weeks since the passing of His Late Father

The past two weeks have been deeply emotional for the Ismaili community, and for all those around the world who had known my father or been touched by his work. I am awed by the outpourings of affection and respect for my father and the impact he made during his lifetime. His is indeed an immense legacy for us all to carry on.

On behalf of my family and me, I would like to express our deepest gratitude and admiration for the outstanding way in which our community immediately and seamlessly arranged the events that took place in Lisbon and Aswan. Beyond the flawless execution of the events themselves, millions of people in over 70 countries were able to participate through video streaming, images, and narration on The Ismaili digital channels.

Organising this involved a small number of our staff, and a huge number of volunteers working around the clock, with a clear unifying goal of holding a graceful series of events made widely accessible to the community wherever physically possible. This was done with sensitivity and care for all those participating.

My uncle, siblings, our children, and I see and appreciate all those who were involved – not just the leaders who were dealing directly with my family and me, but every single person who contributed, wherever they are.

Our tradition of volunteer service and its effectiveness is a source of enormous strength for our community, and I feel fortunate to be able to call on this for the benefit of my Jamat.

Well done to all involved, and especially to the handful of senior leaders who worked day and night to orchestrate all of this, and who provided tremendous support to my family and stable leadership to the community at this critical and difficult time. Knowing that we can rely on each other at a time like this is a source of the greatest comfort and reassurance.

My sincerest thanks again to all those involved in making the events of the last two weeks fitting, simple, and beautiful.

Aga Khan

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March 17, 2025: Statement by His Highness the Aga Khan at Brussels IX: Standing with Syria — vIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT

VIDEO

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TRANSCRIPT

(Read speech at source HERE)

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I thank the European Commission for inviting me to this Conference. It is the first under a new Syrian government, and therefore guided by a spirit of possibility to revive the country and to reset its international relationships.

The Shia Ismaili Muslim community, of which I am the Imam, has been established in Syria for more than 1,000 years.

The Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network renew today the pledge of our ongoing and permanent support for the Syrian people, and our determination to help foster peace, hope, and development for a better future.

We commit today to make available a minimum of €100 million over the next two years toward Syria’s recovery.

With our partners, we intend to scale up humanitarian efforts; to invest in renewable energy and other vital areas of the economy; to expand the provision of health care and education; to address food insecurity; and to restore and preserve Syria’s rich cultural assets.

This work will require critical enabling conditions, foremost of which is an end to violence, and a commitment to peace by all parties.

It is our dearest hope and expectation that Syria’s new government will uphold its promise of enlightened, pluralistic, and inclusive government for all Syrians, irrespective of gender, faith, or background.

Now is the time to address a massive humanitarian crisis and the economic despair affecting the country. It is a time to release vital transitional assistance at scale, because the Syrian people need support.

We have an opportunity and an obligation now to foster hope, stability, and prosperity in Syria — for all Syrians.

Thank you.

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March 21, 2025: Nawruz Message from His Highness the Aga Khan

“My family joins me in wishing Nawruz Mubarak to the Ismaili community and all those around the world who celebrate Nawruz. May this day bring new beginnings, good health, happiness, prosperity, and, above all, peace. Aga Khan.” 

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April 22, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan’s Message of Condolence on the passing of Pope Francis

(Read message at source HERE)

“My family and the global Ismaili Muslim Community join me in conveying our heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. 

“I recall with great warmth my meetings with His Holiness and our discussions on humanity’s shared principles and values, the importance of embracing pluralism, and the urgent need to offer hope and opportunities to the less fortunate.

“His Holiness Pope Francis will be remembered for his courageous stance in defending the values of compassion and service to others. He leaves an important and inspiring legacy, which his words and actions will keep alive in the years to come. 

“My prayers accompany Catholic communities worldwide at this sad time.”

Aga Khan

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May 4, 2025: Message from His Highness the Aga Khan on bestowing Ismaili leader Shafik Sachedina with the title of Diwan

Mawlana Hazar Imam conferred the title of Diwan on Shafik Sachedina on May 4, 2025. The following are extracts from the Talika (written Holy Message) read out in Ismaili Jamatkhanas worldwide, in which Mawlana Hazar Imam explains the significance of the honour:

“The award of the title of Diwan in our Tariqah is one of the highest forms of recognition by which the Imam-of-the-Time acknowledges the services of a murid. Over the past decades, Diwan Shafik has worked closely with the Imam-of-the-Time on some of the most significant and important issues affecting the Jamat’s well-being. The Imam-of-the-Time and the Jamat have benefited from his generosity of time and effort, which he has given selflessly and with wisdom.

“I take this occasion to send to all the volunteers — who give unconditionally of their time, wisdom and resources — my warmest and most affectionate loving blessings for their services to the Jamat and the Imam-of-the-Time.”

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May 9, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan writes to Pakistan Prime Minister for Pakistan-India Peace

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June 3, 2025: mESSAGE ON BEHALF OF His hIGHNESS THE aGA kHAN AS His Late Highness Aga Khan IV IS inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the RAIC College

Following a press release dated March 7, 2025, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) announced the names of five Honorary Fellows, including Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, who would be inducted into the RAIC College at a special ceremony in Montreal. The Fellowship was accepted in Montreal on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, by Dr Mahmoud Eboo, Representative of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat to Canada. Speaking at the event, Eboo said:

“On behalf of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, his family and the Ismaili Muslim Community, I wish to thank the RAIC for the great honour of conferring this Fellowship on His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, in recognition of his lasting contributions to society and the built environment.”

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June 21, 2025: Message from His Highness the Aga Khan to his Ismaili community in Iran

(Read message at source HERE IN FARSI and HERE IN ENGLISH).

The Ismaili, the official website of the Ismaili community, shared the following important message dated June 21, 2025. NOTE: The content within square brackets is ours to provide clarification:

“The Jamat [the Ismaili community] is informed that Mawlana Hazar Imam is closely following the current conflict in the Middle East, and sent yesterday, 20th June 2025, a Talika [a holy written message] to the Jamat of Iran.

“Mawlana Hazar Imam requested the Jamat to remain calm and to follow the directions of the Council and institutions, which are providing support and assistance to protect the Jamat’s well-being.

“He has conveyed prayers for an end to the current conflict, a return to peace and tranquility, and for long term stability in the region.

“Mawlana Hazar Imam conveyed his blessings for the Jamat’s mushkil-asan [protection from difficulties], safety and security, and stated that he will send further guidance as required.”

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jUNE 21, 2025: Message from UCA Chancellor His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V to UCA’s 2025 graduating class

(Read message at source HERE)

The following message was delivered by Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chair of the UCA Board of Trustees, on behalf of His Highness the Aga Khan.

Honourable Ministers,
Honourable Governors,
Chair and Members of the Board of Trustees,
Rector, Faculty and staff of the University,
Parents, partners and friends,
And most importantly, dear graduates of the Class of 2025:

I am truly delighted to be addressing you and your families on this special day, and to share a few words as we mark this important milestone together. I understand that celebrations are taking place at both our Khorog and Naryn campuses, and I am sorry not to be with you in person.

Let me begin by warmly congratulating the graduates on this day, which marks the culmination of five years of hard work by you and your faculty, and the sacrifices of your families. You will leave today with your degree certificate in hand — a testament to your achievement — and carry with you the knowledge gained during your time at UCA for the rest of your lives.

Today’s ceremony is not only a celebration of your achievements, but also an opportunity for us to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the International Treaty that established UCA as a regional university through the extraordinary partnership between the founding states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and the Ismaili Imamat. Together with our partners and many stakeholders, we have achieved a great deal over these 25 years — and I am excited about the successes the next quarter of a century will bring.

This is my first address to you as Chancellor of the University, and I wish to begin by acknowledging my late father’s vision in conceptualising, founding and implementing this extraordinary and pioneering project. If he were here with us today, he would be proud and delighted to witness the achievement of the graduating class.

In the work of UCA, and across the broader endeavours of the Aga Khan Development Network, the Ismaili Imamat remains committed to improving the lives of the people of Central Asia – working in close partnership with governments and other valued collaborators through our shared efforts and projects. Access to high-quality education is a fundamental pillar of our approach to development and has the potential to bring about transformational and lasting impact.

We are living through a period of profound transformation and change, and the pace of technological advancement is accelerating. The field of education is undergoing the biggest change since the printing press, and UCA will have a duty to be at the forefront of this change. We are also witnessing the dramatic effects of climate change on our lives, which is particularly relevant in the mountain regions in which UCA operates. Global economic trends are also evolving, with significant shifts in trade patterns amidst a volatile geopolitical backdrop, and re-emerging models of governance.

In this context, I trust that the graduating class is well placed to navigate the challenges ahead. The majors you have studied are of particular relevance – whether it is Economics, Computer Science, Communications and Media, or Earth and Environmental Sciences. More importantly, our programme will have given you broad exposure to many disciplines and developed your ability to learn and to apply critical thinking. You are also fluent in your national languages and in English, the universal language of business and the internet.

The litmus test of the value of a university is how its graduates fare in the future — what they make of their education. I have every confidence that this graduating class will go on to be great contributors to society, and my best wishes and prayers are with you for your success and happiness.

Let me conclude by expressing my deepest gratitude to all who have made this journey possible over the past 25 years: the founding states, the faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, our donors and volunteers — and importantly, the communities who have welcomed this University into their midst. The road ahead will bring new challenges, but also new promise. Let us walk it together — with purpose, in partnership and with enduring hope.

Thank you.

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July 20, 2025: HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN’S MESSAGE FOR THE LAUNCH OF 2025 GLOBAL ENCOUNTERS – Transcript and video

Bismi’l-lahi’r-rahmani’r-rahim.

I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt thanks to His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and to His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and President of the UAE National Olympic Committee; to the city of Dubai; and to the government of the United Arab Emirates for the warm welcome they have extended to our Jamat.

“That His Highness Sheikh Nahayan and His Highness Sheikh Mansoor were also part of our celebrations during the Jubilee Games in 2016 highlights the continuity of our relationship and friendship with the UAE. We greatly appreciate this partnership, which is based on shared values and objectives.

“I truly wish I could be there to enjoy the Festival with you all in person, and I am grateful to my uncle, Prince Amyn, and to my brother, Prince Aly Muhammad, for being present on my behalf at the Opening Ceremony, and to my brother, Prince Hussain, who will join you later this week. I am conscious that mine is not the only absence from the Festival. I want to say that we are thinking very much of all of you who can not be here, for whatever reason, and who Insha’Allah, are joining us remotely with your families and Jamats, wherever possible. Of course, I want every gathering of our Jamat to be as inclusive as possible.

“Being with each other in person is fundamental to the health of our community. Even if sometimes difficult or costly, events like this give us a space to celebrate our diversity, to share our different experiences, and to make new connections and friends. But Global Encounters is more than just a gathering, it is also an amazing showcase of talent. This year promises to be another incredible spectacle — we are going to get a chance to see some of the greatest artists and athletes in our community. As the lineup shows, we can be deeply proud of the talent within our Jamat. We are good at celebrating our business, government, and thought leaders, but perhaps we are not always as quick to celebrate our athletes and artists, even though we have plenty of bright stars.

“Think of Rafiq Bhatia, recently Oscar-nominated for his film score work, or mountaineers like Sirbaz Khan and Samina Baig, both of whom have achieved world firsts in their field. It is only right that we celebrate these people and their accomplishments. To fulfil our potential as creatives or athletes is to realise a blessing. Sport and the arts are not only beautiful, they have a unique power to build bridges. Strangers who might not speak each other’s language can still come together to enjoy the same game of cricket or football and feel exactly the same passions. The poetry of great basketball, or volleyball, or wrestling is identical, whatever land you are from. And people who have different perspectives on almost everything can still fall under the same spell when they hear great music or see a beautiful piece of art. This is why many people have called art “the universal language.” And this is what Nelson Mandela meant when he said that sport “has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

“So, as you compete, do so with ambition, with integrity, humility and compassion, but most importantly, do so in the knowledge that you are sisters and brothers — members of One Jamat that has remained united over centuries. Let us cherish this unity, which has brought us so far and seen us through every challenge with courage and conviction.

“Finally, I would like to say a few more heartfelt thanks: to the thousands of volunteers who have sacrificed their time and efforts to bring this event to life; to the many donors whose generosity has enabled so many to participate regardless of means, and to the Council and Jamat of the UAE for hosting our global Jamat.

“To the parents, families, and communities who have supported our athletes, our artists, our performers, and musicians, here and at home, I convey my warmest Mubarak.

“I pray that each of you experiences the blessing of joy and happiness as you come together to celebrate art, culture, sport, and human potential, and that you leave with deeper understanding, hope and confidence in yourselves, in each other, and in our Jamat.

“Now I wish you all a wonderful Festival and all the very best.”

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VIDEO: HIS HIGHNESS THE AGA KHAN’S MESSAGE FOR THE LAUNCH OF 2025 GLOBAL ENCOUNTERS

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August 25, 2025: His Highness the Aga Khan assures support to flood-hit Gilgit Baltistan in letter to Chief Minister

The following report in the Pakistan daily, Dawn, includes a message from His Highness the Aga Khan (read report at source HERE):

In a letter presented to the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister by the Gilgit Shia Imami Ismaili Council president, His Highness the Aga Khan, extended “heartfelt sympathy for the devastating losses suffered by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as a result of the recent flash floods and related disasters”.

“I am in close contact with our Council and the agencies of the AKDN in Pakistan, and I continue to monitor the situation as more such events are witnessed each day,” the letter said, adding that he was particularly sad to hear about the deaths of the volunteers who were working to restore the water-supply infrastructure near Gilgit.

“Thank you for your letter of 24th July seeking assistance in the recovery and restoration phase,” he said in the letter.

“From the time of my great-grandfather, the Ismaili Imamat has sought to play an integral role in the development and progress of the GB people. This region remains close to my heart…,” the letter said.

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August 26, 2025: Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan at State House, Nairobi, Kenya

(Read at source HERE)

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellency President Ruto
Honourable Ministers
Your Excellencies
Distinguished Guests

Let me say first how grateful I am to Your Excellency President Ruto for your warm hospitality and kind courtesies extended to me on my first visit to East Africa since my accession to the Ismaili Imamat earlier this year.

Kenya has always held a very special place in the hearts of my family. Some of the earliest Aga Khan development projects from the time of my great grandfather were launched in this country; and many of these are still operating today. His Highness Aga Khan IV, my late father, spent his early childhood in Nairobi. And like my uncle Prince Amyn, who also spent his childhood here, my father always cherished memories of this beautiful country and its wonderful people. My two sons and I greatly enjoyed our visits here, and we look forward to many more in the years ahead.

For over a century, members of the Ismaili community have called this country home. They have contributed to Kenya’s progress and drawn inspiration from its spirit of unity and diversity. It’s against this backdrop that I am profoundly honoured to be named a Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart. I am most deeply grateful to you President Ruto for this award – and for his warm welcome. This recognition carries added significance for me because my late father was also named a Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart by President Kibaki during his Golden Jubilee.

I therefore accept this great honour with deep humility and gratitude. It is a privilege to be here today among the leaders of a nation with which the Ismaili Imamat shares a long friendship, profound respect and deepening partnership.

Through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network – whether in health, education, culture, economic development, or the environment – our aim has always been to improve the quality of life for all, regardless of background or faith. We are proud that our programmes and institutions serve millions of Kenyans from all walks of life, across the spectrum of human endeavour. In Kenya, we have found a Government and a society that have consistently welcomed these efforts, and supported them with vision and resolve.

The Memoranda of Understanding we are signing today build upon this rich legacy of engagement. They reflect the depth of the relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the Republic of Kenya. And they signal a shared ambition to make that relationship even more impactful. Our goal is to work alongside the Government as you tackle the emerging challenges of climate change, urban regeneration, and delivery of public services. Our approach will be to ensure that our programmes are meaningfully aligned with Kenya’s national priorities and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. As in the past, we will continue to mobilise not only our own institutional capacity and resources, but also those of our international partners and investors, for Kenya’s benefit.

Kenya has shown commendable leadership in confronting climate challenges. The Ismaili Imamat shares the sense of urgency and importance you attach to these threats. And I am committed to ensuring that our institutions support your efforts to create new knowledge and new solutions for environmental stewardship. We see promising opportunities for collaboration in areas such as coastal regeneration and climate research, where our institutions are prepared to dedicate increased resources in pursuit of our shared goals.

In closing, let me once again thank you, Your Excellency, for your warm hospitality and the honour that you have conferred on me today. I accept this decoration as a recognition of the past, but also as a pledge for the future. A pledge to continue walking side by side with the people of Kenya in the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable and hopeful tomorrow.

I thank you most sincerely.*

Asante sana.

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September 11, 2025: Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the inauguration of AKU’s academic facilities and the commencement ceremony for AKUH Kampala

(Read speech at source HERE)

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellency President Museveni,
Your Excellency the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mama Janet Museveni,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,

It is a great pleasure for me to join you in celebrating this milestone in the history of the Aga Khan University, and our partnership with the Government of Uganda. I am also very happy that my sister Princess Zahra and brother Prince Aly are here to share this special moment.

I would like to begin by conveying my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency President Museveni for providing the University with an exceptional site for its campus, and for your steadfast vision and enduring support for this project. I also express my heartfelt appreciation for the enabling environment that the Government of Uganda has created for the Aga Khan Development Network.

Your Excellency, the decades-long partnership between the Government of Uganda and the Ismaili Imamat has enabled our institutions to help improve the quality of life for all Ugandans across the country, and across multiple sectors, including health care, education, banking, insurance, energy, hospitality, and manufacturing. We are deeply grateful for your support.

This investment in AKU’s new academic and student housing facilities, together with its hospital, embody the belief of our late father, which I share, that Ugandans deserve the very best access to international quality higher education and health care. The University’s campuses across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda create an integrated system to share knowledge and expertise, and allow the mobility of faculty and students across the region.

Our commitment to international standards of excellence will, I believe, bring transformational impact to Uganda and to the region. It is a known fact that poor-quality health care costs as many lives as lack of access to care. Moreover, despite spending years in school, countless young people acquire only a fraction of the knowledge and skills they are meant to. Poor health and limited education rob individuals of their potential. At this campus, AKU will invest in developing the potential of Ugandans. My hope is that ambitious young people and skilled professionals will not need to leave their home country to study or practise at the highest level. And many Ugandans will not have to travel abroad to obtain advanced health care.

Our pursuit of excellence will go hand-in-hand with a commitment to access for the disadvantaged. AKU already provides nearly 60 million dollars annually in financial assistance to patients and students across its campuses. Here in Uganda, we will expand our programmes to enable access to life-saving care and life-changing education.

Excellence must be grounded in relevance. A significant aspect of AKU’s impact is tied to its research agenda that strives to address real, local challenges through knowledge creation and innovation that improve the quality of life. At this campus, we will be addressing Uganda’s specific disease burden, genetic profile, and environmental context. We will seek to contribute to the development of solutions powered by new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

All of this is only possible because of the generosity, commitment and dedication of our wonderful donors, both local and international, and many of whom are of Ugandan origin. I am very happy to see so many of them here today. We are equally grateful to Germany’s BMZ and KfW for their support not only to this project but to many others across the AKDN institutions. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for all that you have made possible – here in Uganda and across our University. Your generosity will benefit countless lives and generations to come.

Our architects, Legorreta, also deserve recognition and our gratitude. The buildings we are inaugurating reveal the power of design to support and to inspire the quest for knowledge. They also reflect the AKDN’s commitment to addressing climate change. Designed to meet international energy-efficiency standards and to be powered by significant solar photovoltaic capacity, they will contribute to our efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.

As we move forward, AKU will continue to benefit tremendously from our partnerships with academia, government, civil society and others. I am pleased that AKU is pursuing effective working relationships with public-sector institutions in Uganda. It is partnership that turns ripples of change into waves of progress.

Distinguished guests, it is my conviction that the creation of this campus will prove to be a significant milestone in the history of higher education and health here in Uganda. As we embark on this new chapter of AKU’s story, our partners and generous supporters are among its primary authors. The leaders educated, the lives saved, and the knowledge generated will be their legacy.

Your Excellency, Mama Janet, I am confident that the leaders emerging from this institution will advance individual well-being and national progress in fulfillment of the steadfast vision and enduring support that have brought us to this moment.

Thank you.

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September 15, 2025: Remarks of His Highness the Aga Khan at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture prize-giving ceremony,  Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

(Read message at source HERE)

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellency Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers,
Head of the Presidential Administration,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome all of you to this Award ceremony in this beautiful venue.

It is almost 50 years since our late father established the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. I say “our father” because my brothers are here — not because I’m referring to myself with the royal “we”. In the decades since, the Award has recognised dozens of innovative creators and buildings around the world. It has influenced international discourse, promoting new ideas and solutions, and creating more projects today conceived, designed and built with people as their priority.

The Award ceremonies were ones our father looked forward to tremendously. And I would like to thank all the people who worked with him over the many decades to make this Award such a vital part of his legacy.

This is also an occasion to mark 25 years of partnership between the Aga Khan Development Network and the Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyzstan’s recent growth and development have been remarkable. Under President Zhaparov, the Government has taken great strides to translate hard-won economic success into a better quality of life for citizens, through expanded access to public services and targeted support for vulnerable households.

The government has expanded green spaces, established new learning environments to foster creativity and innovation, and built dignified housing for civil servants, especially those working in remote areas. All of these are significant investments not just in physical infrastructure, but in human well-being.

We should all pay tribute to President Zhaparov for his leadership in advancing the international Mountain Agenda, and spearheading the country’s Jashyl Muras (Green Heritage) campaign, an ambitious initiative to safeguard Kyrgyzstan’s precious natural landscapes through conservation, reforestation and sustainable development. Kyrgyzstan’s ecosystems are vital for the entire Central Asian region, and it makes these efforts all the more significant.

Kyrgyzstan has a rich cultural heritage. The country’s musical traditions, passed down from generation to generation, have contributed to the world’s musical legacy. Bishkek is home to one of the most prestigious centres devoted to musical education, the Abdraev School, which maintains old bonds of collaboration with the Aga Khan Music Programme.

I’m happy that we’re partnering with the Government to build a new Music Centre at the Abdraev School site. We hope the new centre, equipped with the state-of-art facilities for music education and interpretation, and an auditorium, will be a symbol of excellence and will support the Government’s aim to leverage architecture to celebrate and preserve the nation’s heritage.

Our work on a new music centre adds to the long history of our investments in this country. For more than two decades, AKDN agencies have established and operated strong national institutions, like the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank, in support of national development priorities. Last year alone, the Aga Khan School in Osh, the University of Central Asia and the Aga Khan Foundation served more than 100,000 learners across this country.

Through our collaboration with the Government and our partners, and I’m delighted to see many here today, we will continue to help individuals develop skills and create opportunities for themselves, for their communities and for this beautiful country.

One of the reasons that our father was so passionate about architecture was its power to improve the lives of the poor and marginalised, which is why this Award places such emphasis on buildings that address social and environmental needs. To quote my father: “I believe profoundly that architecture is not just about building. It is a means of improving people’s quality of life. At its best, it should mirror the plurality of cultural traditions and the diverse needs of communities… Each generation must leave for its successors a wholesome and sustainable social and physical environment.”

Buildings have power. They can raise living standards, inspire reverence and awe, and solve – or create – problems for generations to come. In this most recent cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, for instance, we have projects that cool soaring temperatures in Iran, that mitigate climate displacement in Bangladesh, and that promote inclusivity and pluralism in Egypt.

Today, more than ever, with the vast range of materials and techniques that humans have invented, great architecture has the power to answer directly to the most acute development challenges, and to create the inclusive, safe, dignified world that we want for everyone.

One of the biggest threats that we face globally is of course climate change. We know that every human activity will now need to adapt to it. Here, architecture offers great hope. Humans have always designed their buildings as a response to the climate. Today, with the climate more volatile than ever, architects have a great responsibility, and an opportunity, to use their creativity to design the buildings that will buffer that volatility and protect us all – and especially the most vulnerable – from climatic risk. This quality – flexibility in the face of the unexpected – was at the heart of the jury’s concerns in this cycle of the award.

Climate change is far from the only development challenge architecture has to meet. As I said, we look to our built environment to raise the quality of life for all, and to resolve issues of social as well as environmental justice. It is not an exaggeration to say that affordability of our housing, ease of access to green space, education, health and cultural heritage all hinge on the creativity of our architects and the wisdom of our civic planners. Creative designs that centre these priorities can widen access, both from the top down – by giving governments more and better options to commission – and from the bottom up – by giving people less expensive and better options to build themselves. There is no one recipe for excellence, because every country has its own unique challenges, but the qualities this Award is looking for will always endeavour to respond to those challenges in some manner.

In today’s era of waning trust, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture’s judging process remains an oasis of rigour. The judging process is uncompromising. It draws on extensive documentation, interviews and site visits to ensure that no detail is overlooked. The Award examines each project meticulously, looking to recognise those that promote values of equity, participation, environmental sustainability and good governance, while transcending their given constraints – whether economic, social, ecological, political, or technological. Some of the projects will only reveal the full extent of their impact in the years to come, but we are confident that all of them will do so.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you for being part of this ceremony, and for honouring these worthy winners, all of whom have shown us once again the power of architecture to answer the development challenges of this age and, in doing so, elevate us all. Let us continue to ensure that what we build reflects not only our creativity, but also our compassion, our responsibility and our shared vision for a just and sustainable world.

Thank you.

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November 6, 2025: Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan, at the opening of the Ismaili Center, Houston

(Read speech at source HERE)

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Honourable Members of the United States Congress,
Honourable Members of the Texas Legislature,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Elected Officials,
The Honourable John Whitmire, Mayor of Houston,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for members of my family and me to be with you today for the opening of this Ismaili Center here in Houston. It is a historic milestone for the Ismaili Muslim community in the United States.

I would like to begin by thanking Mayor Whitmire for his gracious invitation to visit this great city, for his resolute support of this project, and for honouring us with his presence today.

I also warmly recognise the contributions of his predecessors, Mayors Bill White, Annise Parker, and the late Sylvester Turner, as well as that of other city leaders, whose encouragement has been so vital in bringing this Center into being.

And I thank the many past and present leaders of the State of Texas, US Senators and members of Congress, members of the State Legislature, representatives of the federal government, and the many friends of the Ismaili community whose presence here makes this day even more special and meaningful.

My late father chose Houston to be the location of the first Ismaili Center in the United States. It was a very natural choice; because this city has been, for decades, home to a significant Ismaili community, and the headquarters of our Ismaili institutions in the US. It is also a global city, one that welcomes and offers friendship to people from all over the world, enabling them to flourish in whatever their fields of endeavour.

And, American Ismailis have flourished here, just as they have across the United States – creating businesses, stimulating innovation, contributing to scientific discovery, educating younger generations, and simply being good friends and neighbours. All of this has been made possible by the spirit of openness and meritocracy that has always made this country a land of opportunity.

The relationships between Ismailis and the communities in which they live have always been grounded in understanding and common purpose. Today, we honour that tradition, extending the hand of friendship to all, regardless of background or faith. This building may be called an Ismaili Center, but it is not here for Ismailis only. It is for all Houstonians to use; a place open to all who seek knowledge, reflection, and dialogue.

The Ismaili Center Houston is the seventh in a family of buildings spanning Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and North America. They serve many purposes. While daily congregational prayer is a primary focus, they also seek to enable a vibrant exchange of ideas, and to nurture understanding amongst peoples of diverse communities and faiths.

This is why this Center includes a theatre, exhibition spaces, a sports court, play areas for children, conference rooms, classrooms, and landscaped gardens for everyone to enjoy. We very much hope that the facilities and activities offered here will bring not just joy, but learning and new opportunities. Whether through hosting recitals, launching books, presenting concerts, promoting local artists, or offering training, our intent is to provide a constant rhythm of events that spark curiosity, engender understanding, and encourage exchange. Any positive impact will rely heavily on friendships, partnerships, and warm dialogue with government, civil society, academic institutions, cultural and faith organisations, neighbours, and others.

Empty buildings, however striking, don’t serve their communities. It is my deep hope that with your engagement, this Center will lift spirits and broaden horizons; this Center will bring people together, strengthen bonds, and help us all, collectively, to bring happiness and harmony to societies here and elsewhere.

am heartened by the presence today of representatives of faith communities from Houston and other parts of the United States. I would ask you please to consider this building a resource available to you all, that it might help us come together around our shared values, for the common good of humanity. This building is a symbol of this hope and aspiration

The Ismaili community is highly diverse and lives across dozens of countries. As Muslims, our faith teaches us to care deeply about pluralism. For us, it is not an abstract idea but a practical ethic, something lived every day. To mean anything, pluralism must be actively practiced in the willingness to respect, appreciate and learn from others. Our faith is a calling to build bridges and to engage with the world beyond our community. Human diversity is itself a gift from God. I hope this Center will embody this spirit.

As many of you already know, my late father was passionate about architecture, especially about buildings and spaces that drew on sources of knowledge that would inspire those who use them. He took a deep personal interest in the design of this building and its gardens.

He worked closely with the architects and landscape designers, as he did for many of the remarkable projects that he commissioned during his lifetime. This Center is the last of those signature works to reach completion, and he had designated it a project commemorating his Diamond Jubilee.

You will come to discover that this building’s eivans and gardens, terraces and alcoves, atria and courtyards teach of places and ideas from across the world, while simultaneously linking the Center physically to the natural beauty of Buffalo Bayou and to Houston’s cultural corridor. It stands alongside the Menil Collection, Rothko Chapel, Asia Society, Museum of Fine Arts, and many other institutions that make this city a cultural capital.

I am proud that this Center has been built to LEED Gold standard, reflecting our commitment to stewardship of the earth, an ethic that our faith requires of us.

This project has been a complex undertaking, one that required consultation, collaboration, and persistence from many people over many years.*

I ask you to join me in acknowledging with warmest appreciation the lead design architect, Farshid Moussavi; the landscape architect, Thomas Woltz; the structural engineer, Hanif Kara; the architect of record, Paul Westlake; McCarthy Building Companies; each member of their teams; and the many artisans and specialists who worked on this project with skill and dedication.

I also wish to recognise the project team, who guided this complex endeavour with care and perseverance. Their collective effort has turned this vision into reality.*

With deepest admiration, I pay special tribute to my uncle, Prince Amyn, whose guidance, commitment, and close personal engagement over many years have been pivotal to the creation of Ismaili Centres across the world, and to this Ismaili Center here in Houston. He has been deeply involved with this project, from the selection of the architect through its design and development. He has been a constant and regular presence on this site and at deliberations throughout planning and execution. I am profoundly grateful for his insight and contribution.

My thanks also go to the leaders of my community, the volunteers, and the many friends who have laboured to bring us to this day. The numerous volunteers whose time and attention will keep the Center running into the future, I thank as well.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the magnificent generosity of supportive donors here in the USA and from around the world, without whom the construction of this Center would not have been possible.*

In concluding, I would like to say how happy I am again to be inaugurating this beautiful building and all that it represents – both in its physical form and the ideals and values it embodies. It is my sincere wish that we collectively fulfil its potential in the years to come.*

Thank you.

______________________

November 25, 2025: Video message from His Highness the Aga Khan at the 2025 Global Pluralism Award ceremony By His Highness the Aga Khan, Ottawa, Canada

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Centre’s Board of Directors, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Global Pluralism Award Ceremony.

Le Centre mondial pour le pluralisme a été créé pour aider les sociétés du monde entier à relever le défi de bien vivre ensemble, en mettant les différences au service du progrès, de la prospérité et de la paix.

[The Global Centre for Pluralism was conceived as a place to support societies around the world in the hard work of living well together – of harnessing differences as a means of progress, of prosperity, and of peace.]

Championing pluralism in our societies is not only the goal – it is the solution. Pluralism is the roadmap to bridging the schism between people and even institutions.

Le Prix mondial du pluralisme représentait, pour feu mon père, une façon d’incarner ce type de leadership et de démontrer concrètement les bienfaits du respect de la diversité et de la reconnaissance de toute sa valeur.

En ces temps difficiles, le Prix nous permet de dépasser les divisions et, inspirés par le travail des lauréats, de contribuer à un changement constructif au sein de nos propres sociétés.

[The Global Pluralism Awards were one way my late father sought to model this leadership and show the tangible results of respecting and valuing diversity.

At this challenging time in the world, the Awards enable us to look beyond division and empowered by the work of these laureates, be part of constructive change in our own societies.]

Often pluralism feels like a hard task, an almost unattainable ideal. But the beauty of the Global Pluralism Awards is that it shows us how ordinary people are making an impact on their societies every day, in the face of huge challenges.

These organisations, through ordinary actions, are making an enormous impact on their communities, and engaging partners – often unlikely ones – to work together to solve the biggest issues of our time. Together, they are building movements that change global systems and norms.

This is not always easy work, but its value can outlast us. Once we take time to listen to another who we see as different from ourselves, and we start to understand their story, we may find we have more in common than we thought and our conception of “we” begins to expand.

Ce soir, nous rendons hommage à ces dix lauréats pour tout ce qu’ils accomplissent au quotidien pour donner vie au pouvoir transformateur du pluralisme. Les champs d’action, les régions et les démarches diffèrent, mais le principe qui guide leur engagement est le même : il y a de la place pour que nous puissions, toutes et tous, bien vivre ensemble.

[We celebrate these 10 laureates tonight because of the actions they take every day to enact the transformative power of pluralism. The sectors, regions and approaches vary, but the principles that guide their work are the same – that there is space for everyone to live well together.]

This group of 10 joins a larger group of the 40 laureates who preceded them since the inception of the Award, and the multitude of people who are pushing back against division and marginalisation.

We are each of us part of our global community, and as members of this community we too are responsible for shaping it through our own behaviour toward others.

Je tiens à exprimer ma profonde gratitude aux éminents membres du jury, dont les parcours professionnels et personnels sont aussi riches que variés.

[We are grateful to the distinguished jurors, drawn from various parts of the world and who stem from different professional and personal backgrounds.]

I congratulate the jury Chair, Dr. Marwan Muasher, as well as its other members – Ms. Yásnaya Aguilar Gil, Dr. Comfort Ero, Ms. Reeta Roy, Mr. Gam Shimray, Dr. Stephen Toope and Mr. Antonio Zapulla – for their dedication and their inspired choices of Awardees.

As we congratulate and learn more about these exceptional laureates tonight, I invite you to think about what meaningful action you can implement in your own life. Each of our choices matters in the face of our global challenges.

Merci aux lauréats, au Centre mondial pour le pluralisme, et à chacune et chacun d’entre vous ici ce soir, pour votre engagement envers le pluralisme.

[I thank the laureates, the Global Centre for Pluralism, and each of you in attendance tonight, for your commitment to pluralism.]

_______________________

January 16, 2026: VIDEO — His Highness the Aga Khan’s Convocation Message to AKU Graduates

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Pro-Chancellor Princess Zahra Aga Khan,
Chair Zakir Mahmood and Members of the Board of Trustees,
Chairs and members of the Kenya and Uganda University Councils,
President and Vice-Chancellor Sulaiman Shahabuddin,
Leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the University,
Family members of the graduates,
Members of the Class of 2025:

The Aga Khan University has many proud accomplishments to its name, but none is more significant than the one we celebrate each year at Convocation. It gives me great happiness, as Chancellor, to congratulate the graduates of the Aga Khan University across all of our campuses, including Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is an important milestone for each of you – and I am confident it will be followed by many outstanding achievements in your lives.

I am also delighted about Princess Zahra’s installation as Pro-Chancellor of the Aga Khan University and I am deeply grateful for her dedicated leadership of the University over many years.

A strongly held belief in the power of education to change lives and societies has been a defining thread across the history of the Ismaili Imamat – from the founding of Al- Azhar in the 10th century, to the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University, the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia in the 20th century, and the network of more than 200 Aga Khan Schools educating young people across diverse societies today.

It is this enduring conviction that places education at the very heart of the Aga Khan Development Network’s mission. When we educate an individual, we do not merely confer a personal asset that can never be taken away; we set in motion a powerful ripple effect that extends to families and communities. Education amplifies impact – our own and that of our partners – by making our efforts across health, education, social development, livelihood enhancement and cultural preservation more effective, more efficient and more sustainable. Through those we educate and through the knowledge we generate, we seek to help communities overcome persistent challenges and build more pluralistic, safe and productive societies.

Over the past four decades, the validity of this conviction has been repeatedly affirmed. by the achievements of the Aga Khan University’s faculty, staff and alumni, and by their impact across health, education and development. It has also been strengthened by the support we have received from many quarters: from our donors, whose generosity reflects a deep confidence in the University’s vision and mission; from our volunteers and partners, who have helped extend AKU’s reach and capacity; from our Trustees, whose wisdom guides us through change; and from governments, which have created enabling environments in which the University can thrive.

This background helps to explain why the word that resonates most profoundly on this occasion is opportunity.

Never before have we known so much about nature and humanity. Never before have the tools of scholarship and science been so powerful – from gene editing to artificial intelligence, and from climate science to data-driven innovation. This moment therefore places upon the Aga Khan University and its graduates both an extraordinary responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity: to create, to disseminate and to apply knowledge in ways that improve the quality of human life.

The Class of 2025 must not miss that opportunity. Nor will it – because it has been prepared for this moment with care and rigour.

In that spirit, I wish to acknowledge the distinguished, world-class faculty of the Aga Khan University, whose deep commitment to excellence in teaching and sustained engagement in rigorous, cutting-edge research shape the intellectual life of the University and enrich the learning experience of our students every day.

This is an exciting time for our University as we embrace the opportunity to advance research, leverage technological innovation, promote virtual learning, demonstrate environmental leadership and deepen our commitment to pluralism, partnership and excellence. These goals are both timely and essential for our continued growth and impact.

Graduates, I pray that you will seize the opportunity to bring knowledge to bear on the challenges facing your communities. In doing so, you will demonstrate the power of a great education and confirm that the tradition AKU embodies has never been more vital.

Congratulations once again and thank you.

_______________________

February 4, 2026: Message from His Highness the Aga Khan upon completing his first year of Imamat

(Read speech at source HERE)

As I complete the first year of my Imamat, I have been deeply touched by the warm messages of congratulations received from around the world.

I convey my heartfelt thanks to the numerous world leaders and partners of the Ismaili Imamat and our institutions who have welcomed me during the past year. Their enduring friendship is a source of happiness and pride.

My visits to the Ismaili community around the world have brought me great joy, and I look forward to continuing to meet my community this year. I am immensely grateful to the thousands of volunteers who have made these visits possible, and to the national and local governments who have facilitated them.

The Aga Khan Development Network is one of the greatest legacies of my late father, and I am proud to lead this organisation. I convey my deep gratitude to the staff and volunteers of all our institutions for their hard work to improve the lives of millions around the world.

On this Imamat Day, I send my best wishes to the Ismaili community, and to all our partners, supporters, volunteers, and staff, with my prayers for peace, happiness, and prosperity across our world.

Aga Khan

Date posted: February 4, 2026.

_____________________

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