Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT
This page focuses solely on His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Germany from July 4 to 6, 2026. Pre-arrival details are available on a separate page HERE. This page was last updated on July 7 at 03:48 AM EDT.
July 6, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan concludes a 3-day visit with meetings with German leaders and the signing of important agreements
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, concluded his first official visit to Germany since becoming the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on February 4, 2025. The visit aimed to meet with Ismaili Muslims across several countries in Continental Europe and to consolidate and strengthen the long-standing relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by his younger brother, Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, met with Germany’s President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul; and the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan.
President Steinmeier warmly welcomed Mawlana Hazar Imam to the Villa Borsig, where the two discussed ongoing and potential areas of collaboration between the Ismaili Imamat and Germany.
Following a separate meeting, Mawlana Hazar Imam and Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul signed a Joint Declaration of Intent between the Ismaili Imamat and the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. The document embodies a commitment to work together on some of the most pressing global challenges of our times. Priority sectors include climate change, health, education, economic development, humanitarian issues, civil society and governance.
Photograph: IPL / Akbar Hakim
“Germany has been a trusted partner for over six decades, sharing the Ismaili Imamat’s commitment to addressing critical development challenges, sustaining pluralism, and improving the quality of life in resource-poor environments. I’m delighted that we are continuing to deepen this valued friendship,” said Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Mawlana Hazar Imam also met with Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, at the BMZ offices. AKDN and BMZ have sustained extensive ongoing collaborations since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2004.
During the visit, an MOU was also signed between the Egyptian Museum Berlin and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture as a framework to cooperate on projects of common interest. Together, they will rehabilitate the Qubbet al-Hawa or Dome of the Wind in Aswan, Egypt, the resting place of ancient nobles and priests that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Another MOU was signed between the International Security and Development Center (ISDC) and the University of Central Asia to reflect a continuing partnership that includes the longest running panel study in Central Asia, surveying the same individuals since 2010. Initially funded by the German Volkswagen Foundation and with the economic research institute DIW Berlin as the consortium leader, the most recent round of this study has been supported jointly by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
AKDN and Germany have been partners since the early 1960s, beginning with German private sector engagement in the establishment of Industrial Promotion Services, the industry and infrastructure arm of AKDN’s Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. The partnership now extends to include 15 countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
After the meetings, a delegation of Jamati leaders gathered at the airport to bid Hazar Imam farewell, marking the conclusion to a historic visit.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Please click the links below for additional coverage of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s meetings with German leaders in Berlin, Germany, July 6, 2026:
- AKDN: His Highness the Aga Khan concludes visit to Germany
- The Ismaili: Ismaili Imamat strengthens ties with Federal Republic of Germany
- Tribune GB: Aga Khan Concludes Germany Visit, Signs Key MOUs
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Social Media Coverage
Post(s) on X
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Translation of the X post below: Federal President Steinmeier received Prince Rahim Aga Khan V in Berlin today [July 6]. The focus of their conversation was the appreciation of the work of the Aga Khan Development Network, the planned expansion of the network in Germany, as well as the situation in regions where it is already active.
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Post(s) on Bluesky
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Post(s) on Instagram
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Post(s) on Facebook
Please visit German President Facebook post
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YouTube
Ismaili Update 3 highlights Mawlana Hazar Imam’s meetings with Germany’s President and senior government officials to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the Federal Republic. The update also includes a recap of his European visit.
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July 5, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan graces his European community with a Didar in Berlin
In a historic moment on Sunday, July 5, 2026, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, bestowed a Didar (lit. a glimpse) upon his Continental European Jamat in Berlin, marking the first-ever religious encounter in Germany by any Ismaili Imam. The Mukhi — who, along with Kamadia, Mukhiani, and Kamadiani, officiate over the proceedings in Ismaili Jamatkhanas — of Berlin Jamatkhana submitted bayʿa (oath of allegiance) to Mawlana Hazar Imam on behalf of the Jamat. Following this, the Jamati Mukhi-Kamadias and Student Mukhi-Kamadias presented Mehmani — a symbolic and traditional food offering — to Hazar Imam on behalf of the Jamats.
Following the Didar, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with a mosaic wall art piece as a gift. The mosaic comprises 12 pieces, around the visit motif, which has been used throughout his inaugural visits to Ismailis worldwide.
Each piece was crafted from recycled objects and represents the culture and heritage of the Ismaili community from the 12 European countries with the largest Ismaili settlements.
Later in the day, Hazar Imam was joined by his younger brother, Prince Aly Muhammad, for an institutional reception with Jamati leaders and staff.
Mawlana Hazar Imam thanked attendees and their families for their service to the Jamat and wider society. “I will start by expressing my gratitude to all of you for the work that you’re doing for the benefit of the Jamat in Continental Europe,” he said. “I know that it comes with great sacrifice as far as your personal lives and family lives and professional lives are concerned, and so I’m deeply grateful for the work that you’re doing.”
Before departing the venue, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with project leads and junior volunteers involved in the historic Didar and thanked them for their work. Mawlana Hazar Imam joyfully greeted well-wishers and many members of his community and, together with Prince Aly Muhammad, posed for photographs.
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MEDIA COVERAGE
Please click the links below for additional coverage of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Didar in Berlin, Germany, July 5, 2026:
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YouTube
Ismaili Update 2 highlights Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Didar with the Jamat of Continental Europe, marking the first-ever Didar in Germany. Later that day, on the second day of his three-day visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam was joined by Prince Aly Muhammad for an institutional reception with Jamati leaders and staff.
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July 4, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Germany for a 3-day visit
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, arrived in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, for a three-day visit to meet his community across Continental Europe. He was welcomed at the airport by representatives of the German Government and the Presidents of the Aga Khan Ismaili Councils for the UK, Germany, and Sweden.
Tomorrow, Sunday, July 5, Hazar Imam will grant a Didar in Germany for the first time. For many thousands of his followers, it will be the first spiritual encounter of their lives. Preparations have been underway for weeks, with the community planning, building, and celebrating in anticipation of welcoming their 50th Imam, who ascended to the Hereditary Throne of Imamat on February 4, 2025.
This is his 9th visit to his followers since becoming the Imam. His earlier visits were to France, Kenya, Uganda, USA, Portugal, UK, Eastern Canada and Pakistan (click on the links for Barakah’s special coverage of the nine trips).
He is scheduled to visit the Ismailis in Western Canada from July 24 to 26, 2026. Please read our Western Canada pre-arrival post HERE.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Please click the links below for additional coverage of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in Berlin, Germany.
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A selection of posts on X
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YouTube
The Ismaili Update 1 highlights Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in Berlin and the spirit of One Jamat, as events and programs are held to honour his visit.
Date posted: July 4, 2026.
Last updated: July 7, 2026.
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