“My uncle, Prince Amyn, was a source of great companionship and support to my father all his life. He has played an important role in the creation and development of almost all of our institutions for nearly seven decades. I hope to continue to benefit from his experience and wise counsel in the years to come — please.” — Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, 50th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, Takht-nishini (ceremonial enthronement), February 11, 2025, Lisbon, Portugal.

Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

On September 12, 2026, Prince Amyn Mohamed Aga Khan, uncle of Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim Al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan, and brother of Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan marks his 89th birthday. We join together with our readers around the world to congratulate Prince Amyn on this special day and wish him a happy birthday and many more to come.

We also take this opportunity to extend our warmest congratulations to Mawlana Hazar Imam who is currently visiting India. This is indeed a doubly joyous occasion for the Imam and his family.

For seven decades, Prince Amyn has dedicated his entire life to the Institution of Imamat, channelling his creativity, intelligence, time and energy, knowledge and leadership in numerous Imamat endeavours benefiting both jamati (Ismaili community) and non-jamati constituencies. His unique role and dedication have left an indelible mark, and his contributions are deeply appreciated. Rarely did Mawlana Shah Karim single out and praise his family members for their contribution to the Imamat. One such rare instance was during a speech he made at the Ismaili Centre Toronto (ICT) opening ceremony on September 12, 2014, which also coincided with the 77th birthday of Prince Amyn. The opening of the Aga Khan Museum — please see our incredible post celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Museum — by the then Prime Minister Stephen Harper took place on the same day.

It is with deepest admiration that I thank the person whose guiding hand has been so important at every stage of this project: a member of my family, my brother, Prince Amyn Aga Khan.” — Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, September 12, 2014, Ismaili Centre Toronto.

The Prince has inspired the entire Ismaili Jamat around the world. As we honour him on his 89th birthday through two special sections below — Beautiful Photographic Moments and Prince Amyn Aga Khan’s contributions to the Ismaili Imamat 2021-2026 — we extend a warm invitation to our readers to read and deeply reflect on the following earlier pieces about Prince Amyn, engaging in the celebration of his life and contributions.

• Barakah’s Tribute to Prince Amyn Aga Khan on His 84th Birthday; and Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre Mark 7th Anniversary of Opening
• Prince Amyn Aga Khan’s 1973 visit to the Ismaili Jamat in Toronto, Canada
• September 28, 1960: An Important Letter from Prince Amyn Mohamed Aga Khan Expressing His Strong Devotion and Loyalty to the Imamate of His Brother, Mawlana Shah Karim Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan
• Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Younger Brother of Mawlana Hazar Imam, Turns 85; Please Watch His Recent Interview
• A Tribute to Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Younger Brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, as He Celebrates His 86th Birthday, September 12, 2023

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A small collection of beautiful photographic moments

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Highlights: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Contributions to the Ismaili Imamat
(2021 to 2026)

The following material on Prince Amyn has been condensed and edited for clarity from multiple posts containing news related to Mawlana Shah Karim and Mawlana Shah Rahim Hazar Imam and members of their family. The posts are (1) NEWS: July 13, 2021, to December 31, 2022, (2) NEWS: 2023, (3) NEWS: 2024, Part I, (4) NEWS: 2024 Part II, (5) NEWS: 2025, and (6) NEWS: 2026. Please read them for extended details of the coverage below.

2021

October 24, 2021: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Portuguese President Inaugurate NOVA University’s Westmont Hospitality Hall

On October 24, 2021, Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa joined Prince Amyn Aga Khan to inaugurate the Westmont Hospitality Hall at NOVA University in Lisbon, Portugal. The newly opened space will serve as a home for the Westmont Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at NOVA University’s School of Business and Economics (SBE). The school’s students and faculty are an open and collaborative community focused on the positive impact of their work and research worldwide.

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In his remarks at the event, Prince Amyn congratulated NOVA SBE for its pivotal role in the establishment of The Westmont Institute of Tourism and Hospitality. He shared his hopes for the project’s future, stating, “The institute will have the mission to inspire and prepare leaders in the tourism and hospitality industries,” he said, “providing not only excellence in service but sound business knowledge to promote and support sustainable tourism ventures both in Portugal and, I hope, in Africa and developing countries.”

“I think that tourism, by opening up to travellers’ new lifestyles, new cultures, new traditions, acts as a strong educational experience and breeds understanding, and appreciation of shared values — of how much we share, and not how great are our differences, and that ultimately it promotes a pluralistic approach,” continued Prince Amyn, who has decades of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry globally.

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2022

July 8, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Members of Mawlana Shah Karim’s Family Attend an Open Air-Concert at Lisbon’s São Jorge Castle

On July 8, 2022, Prince Amyn, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad attended a special open-air concert by the Aga Khan Master Musicians at Lisbon’s spectacular São Jorge Castle. The concert came about via a partnership between the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat to Portugal, the Aga Khan Music Programme, and EGEAC, the agency responsible for cultural equipment and programming in Lisbon. The aim was to offer an evening of musical delights to citizens and visitors in Lisbon. With this concert, the Aga Khan Master Musicians began looking forward to resuming their regular performance schedule and playing in unique venues and settings, such as the one in Lisbon, after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Distinguished guests at the live event included President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas, and Minister of Justice Catarina Sarmento e Castro.

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July 11, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan at Mawlana Shah Karim’s 65th Imamat Anniversary

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August 8, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Bestowed with Honorary Citizenship of Houston and Appointed as THE City’s Goodwill Ambassador

Prince Amyn Aga Khan’s visit to Houston was marked by a significant event: he was presented with the Honorary Citizenship of Houston when he met with the city’s Mayor, the Honourable Sylvester Turner, at City Hall. The purpose of his visit was to review progress on the construction of the Ismaili Center, Houston, a project of great importance to the local community, across from Buffalo Bayou Park in the heart of Houston.

Mayor Turner issued the following message on his Facebook page:

“Today, I welcomed Prince Amyn Aga Khan to Houston and bestowed an Honorary Citizenship to the City of Houston in recognition of his “unselfish public service for the benefit and welfare of humanity,” and selected him as a Goodwill Ambassador of Houston. Prince Amyn exemplifies the values of pluralism and inclusivity that also make the City of Houston one of the most diverse metropolitans in the world. I look forward to continuing our partnership with the Ismaili Imamat and the Ismaili community here to build bridges of friendships.”

As a token of his high esteem, Mayor Turner also appointed Prince Amyn as a Goodwill Ambassador of the City of Houston.

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August 11, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner Reflect on the Ismaili Center Houston

“The Ismaili Center is an ambitious project not just for the Ismaili Muslim community, but for all Houstonians…[It] is intended to be a resource for all Houstonians as a place to come together with local, national, and international partners — many of whom are here today — to enhance the vibrant nature and rich cultural tapestry of this city,” said Prince Amyn Aga Khan, at the Ismaili Center’s development luncheon held in downtown Houston on Thursday, August 11, 2022.

Houston’s Mayor, the Late Honorable Sylvester Turner, said on his Facebook page: “I joined Prince Amyn Aga Khan today [August 11, 2022] for The Ismaili Center Houston development luncheon. The Center will be a place where Houstonians of all backgrounds come together to strengthen and forge new bonds as they work together.”

In his address at the luncheon, the Mayor said, “The Ismaili Center Houston will be a magnificent building, both physically — with its landmark architecture, picturesque gardens, and ingenious design — and societally speaking, through its impact on Houston, across Texas, and throughout the United States.”

Houston was recently declared the most diverse city in the United States. As the fourth most populous city in the country (with a 2022 population of Metro Houston  at 6,603,000), it also boasts a fast-growing artistic and cultural scene. The Center will serve as a platform for the Ismaili Muslim Jamat (community) to make a significant contribution to this growth, thereby becoming an integral part of Houston’s cultural landscape.

“I have always believed that art and culture are effective ways to connect communities, and one of the Center’s objectives will be to offer the highest calibre of cultural programming and promote cultural dialogue, which are all key elements of enhancing one’s quality of life,” said Prince Amyn. “The dialogue between cultures has forever existed as a result of man’s urge and need to travel, to discover, to meet people, to share experiences, to buy and to sell. Cultural dialogue unites by showing, by underlining what we share despite our apparent differences,” he added.

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September 27, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony for Generations Toronto

Prince Amyn attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, for Generations Toronto, a multi-generational housing development near the Ismaili Centre in Toronto. Distinguished guests included Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto’s Mayor John Tory, and local, national, and international leaders of the Ismaili community.

Based on a successful pilot project launched in Calgary during Mawlana Shah Karim’s Golden Jubilee in 2007, Generations Toronto is a unique community campus that will offer services to bring together and support its residents and neighbours. Its fundamental premise is to enhance the value and dignity of human life.

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September 25, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Receives Key to the City of Toronto on Behalf of Mawlana Shah Karim

His Highness the Aga Khan has made remarkable contributions within our city and within the culture and heritage of Toronto’s Ismaili community. Particularly, the Ismaili Centre at Aga Khan Park has become a landmark in our city for the Ismaili community but for residents and visitors as well. I am proud to present His Highness the Aga Khan with Toronto’s highest honour and unveil a section of Wynford Drive renamed in recognition of his many contributions to Toronto — Toronto Mayor John Tory.

September 25, 2022, News Release City of Toronto: Today, Toronto’s Mayor honoured humanitarian His Late Highness Aga Khan IV with a Key to the City. Accepting the Key on his behalf was Prince Amyn Aga Khan, His Highness’ brother. The City of Toronto has also renamed the portion of Wynford Drive, between Don Mills Road and the east side of the Don Valley Parkway overpass, to Aga Khan Boulevard. … READ MORE ON TORONTO

“We have looked to Canada as a model of pluralism for the world,” said Prince Amyn Aga Khan, who delivered remarks and received the honours on behalf of his brother, His Highness the Aga Khan. “The community’s presence here would not have been possible were it not for Toronto and Canada’s profound commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity.”

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October 29-31, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan at the Aga Khan Music Awards and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

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November 11, 2022: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Prince Rahim at the Paris Peace Forum

Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, attended the annual forum in the past. In recent years, he was represented at nemerous events by his family members. The 2022 Forum returned to its normal setting after COVID-19, and Prince Amyn was present along with Prince Rahim (now Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan), who attended it for the first time.

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2023

June 6, 2023: Prince Amyn Aga Khan visits Porto for the Opening Ceremony of the “Schools2030 Global Forum” and Signing of AKFP- City of Porto Agreement to Promote Quality of Life

Porto.pt, a web portal containing information about the city of Porto, reported that Prince Amyn Aga Khan signed a cooperation agreement between the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal (AKFP) and the Municipality of Porto on Monday, June 6, 2023, at the Alfândega do Porto (Alfandega Congress Center). We invite all our readers to visit the web portal, where they can easily access the agreement’s highlights in both Portuguese and English.

After the signing of the agreement, the Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, and Prince Amyn attended the opening ceremony of the “Schools2030 Global Forum,” which took place for the first time in Portugal and was held at the Congress Centre for three days.

In his address, the Mayor emphasized that Porto “has a long tradition of humanism and solidarity, of openness and intercultural dialogue, of tolerance and political pluralism.” He further highlighted the city’s commitment to promoting education, science, and innovation, stating, “Therefore, [the city of Porto] is dedicated to the goals of equity, inclusion, and quality that the ‘Schools2030’ program and the Aga Khan Foundation are promoting in education systems in the so-called global south.”

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The Aga Khan Foundation Portugal’s program focuses on the sustained improvement of education, from early childhood to secondary education. It is delivered by educational agents from ten countries (Afghanistan, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Portugal, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda) and runs from 2020 to 2030.

Porto Mayor Rui Moreira and Portugal’s Minister of Education, João Miguel Marques da Costa, provided their perspectives on the Schools2020 program. Both delivered their speeches in English. The YouTube video below presents their remarks and also includes clips from the international collaboration event where Prince Amyn signed the AKFP agreement with the Mayor of the Municipality of Porto.

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July 11, 2023: Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Prince Rahim, and Prince Aly Muhammad Welcome the Portuguese Leadership to Celebrate Mawlana Shah Karim’s 66th Imamat Day at the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat

On June 3, 2015, a landmark agreement was reached between Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, and the Portuguese Government to establish the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in the country. Palacete Mendonça in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, was acquired and chosen as the site for the Seat. On July 11, 2018, on his 61st Imamat Day, bringing his historic Diamond Jubilee to a close in Lisbon, Mawlana Shah Karim, in a formal and respectful ceremony, officially designated the building as the “Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat”.

Five years later, on July 11, 2023, the 66th anniversary of Mawlana Shah Karim’s Imamat, The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat hosted a reception that was attended on his behalf by his younger brother, Prince Amyn and two children, Prince Rahim and Prince Aly Muhammad. They welcomed a distinguished guest list, including President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the country’s most senior leaders, such as current and former Portuguese presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and mayors. These esteemed individuals were given an exclusive first look at the restored site of the Palacete Mendonça in Portugal’s capital.

In his welcome address, Prince Amyn said:

“While this is not an opening of the Diwan, it is very special for us at last to be able to host you in this beautiful building and welcome you to the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat which has been designated by my brother, His Highness the Aga Khan, as the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat.”

Prince Amyn remarked that Mawlana Shah Karim and the Ismaili community will forever be grateful to the Portuguese leadership and the country for their kind acceptance and welcome, dating back to the 1970s. This generosity, he said, has enabled the community to successfully integrate into Portuguese society.

“In keeping with the ethics of Islam,” Prince Amyn explained, “wherever we reside we ensure we are active in civil society, working in many fields of endeavour to offer our time, knowledge, expertise, and material resources to help better the cohesiveness of the communities and societies in which we live.”

“And in so doing,” he added, “our purpose is to uphold human dignity, to help improve the lives of the vulnerable, and to support the pluralism that exists here in Portugal, and which is crucial to the maintenance of a peaceful, compassionate and harmonious society.”

In paying tribute to the Portuguese Ismailis, President Marcelo in his address said:

“The Ismaili community in Portugal has about 10,000 citizens, fully integrated and imbued with the values of courage, innovation, persistence, and an openness to the world. It is this spirit of communion that keeps us firm and united at all times, good and bad, without hesitation.”

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Video: Imamat Day Reception Hosted at Diwan of Imamat

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July 13, 2023: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Members of Mawlana Shah Karim’s Family Grace Event Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Ismaili Centre Lisbon

Members of the family of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV — his brother Prince Amyn and two sons, Prince Rahim and Prince Aly Muhammad— and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, graced the event with their presence at The Ismaili Centre Lisbon on July 13, 2023, as it marked its 25th anniversary celebrations. The Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in a surprising turn of events, awarded the iconic building the Portuguese Order of Merit. Established in 1927, the Merit Award recognizes citizens or institutions for services that benefit Portuguese society. 

The Lisbon Ismaili Centre is the third in a network of six high-profile Centres in various parts of the world. It was inaugurated on July 11, 1998, by the then Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio in the presence of Mawlana Shah Karim. The other five Ismaili Centres are in London (1985), Vancouver (1985), Dubai (2008), Dushanbe (2009), and Toronto (2014). The seventh Ismaili Centre is under construction in Houston, Texas.

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In his address, President Marcelo praised the Ismaili community’s presence and commitment to the country. He particularly noted the Ismaili Centre’s vital role as a meeting point of cultures, faiths, and beliefs, stating, “Here in this Centre, the Ismaili community has worked for Portuguese society in education, science, technology, taking care of children, and of the older generations — helping almost everywhere. You made a difference with a very hard-working and open-minded community. A community that accepted and helped to build inclusion.”

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October 18, 2023: Prince Amyn Aga Khan at Aga Khan Master Musicians Performace in Paris

On October 18, 2023, L’Institut du Monde Arabe hosted the acclaimed Aga Khan Master Musicians in Paris, France, for their latest live performance. Hailing from Syria, Uzbekistan, and Tunisia, the five Aga Khan Master Musicians performed a mesmerizing selection of compositions. The collective chords of the duclar, qanoun, and doira mixed with vocals, the violin, and saxophone in a harmonious dialogue that vividly evoked the sights and sounds of the historic Silk Road, a route that once connected the East and the West, carrying not only goods but also cultural exchanges.

L’Institut du Monde Arabe’s current President, Jack Lang, who was France’s former Minister of Culture and founder of the Fête de la Musique, in his remarks, said:

“I salute His Highness the Aga Khan, who does so much around the world to promote creativity and preserve our heritage. It’s always a great privilege for us to attend this concert, which brings together musicians of the very highest calibre.” 

“Each musician has mastered his or her instrument to perfection,” he added, “offering us an exceptional soundscape between tradition and modernity.”

The event was attended by Prince Amyn Aga Khan. Guests at the concert included the Cultural Advisor to the President of France, representatives from the diplomatic corps, national and local government authorities, and leaders of French civil society, as well as the Ismaili Imamat’s Official Representative to France, Shamir Samdjee; President of the Ismaili Council for France, Aiaze Mitha; and other senior AKDN and Ismaili leaders.

Prince Amyn, in his remarks at a post-concert reception, noted, “While the musical worlds of North Africa, the Middle East, Iran, and Central Asia represented in this evening’s concert certainly overlap in significant ways, they are also quite different. Creating new music in which these different worlds meet harmoniously and without resorting to cliché is an admirable achievement.” 

The event coincided with the release of the Aga Khan Master Musicians’ debut album, titled Nowruz, on the prestigious Smithsonian Folkways label.

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October 23, 2023: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Attends Ismaili Center HoustoN’s Topping Out Ceremony, as Mayor Turner presents His late Highness Aga Khan IV with Key to City

Ismaili Center Houston achieved a significant milestone on October 23, 2023, with a special ‘topping out’ ceremony attended by Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. The ceremony celebrated the completion of the building’s superstructure and the placement of the final beam, marking a milestone in the construction journey.

The planning and construction of the first Ismaili Center in the US was significantly advanced by the support of Mayor Turner, a contribution of immense significance. To honour his pivotal role, a luncheon was organized, graced by elected officials, civil society leaders, and friends and partners of the Ismaili community. Mayor Turner, who was serving his 2nd and final term as Houston’s Mayor, was first elected to office in 2016 and re-elected in 2019. His tenure was marked by the historic visit of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV to Houston on March 18, 2018, to commemorate his Diamond Jubilee. The development of the new Ismaili Center, a testament to his support, primarily took place during his time as Houston’s mayor, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

In a moment of special recognition, Mayor Turner awarded the key to the city of Houston to Mawlana Shah Karim, which Prince Amyn accepted on his behalf. Prince Amyn said:

“I would like to begin my comments this afternoon by saying how touched I am by the recognition that you have given to my brother, His Highness the Aga Khan. It is with great happiness that I receive, on his behalf, the Key to this wonderful city. He has previously remarked on this old historical tradition that has existed in many countries in many parts of the world and said, ‘ I am going to use these keys to open as many doors as possible. Doors to happiness, doors to peace, doors to unity, doors to human progress’.”

Prince Amyn also expressed appreciation for the warm reception in Houston, highlighting the role of the upcoming Ismaili Center as a hub for cultural exchange, intellectual growth, and community engagement. The Center’s expansive gardens and public spaces, designed to be inclusive and welcoming, will embrace people from all walks of life, beliefs, and backgrounds, fostering enriching programs and meaningful dialogue.

To commemorate the occasion, Prince Amyn, Mayor Turner, and a small number of guests visited the construction site and signed the final beam that will complete the building’s superstructure. Prince Amyn and Mayor Turner also planted a Texas Red Oak tree, intended to grow and mature alongside the Ismaili Center, symbolizing progress and stability and offering wishes for peace and prosperity.

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2024

May 10, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Honoured with Castelo Branco’s Gold Medal

Prince Amyn Aga Khan was honoured with the gold medal of Castelo Branco in recognition of his efforts to promote arts and culture in Portugal and around the world. Castelo Branco in central Portugal is known for its ancient gardens, architectural marvels, and colourful embroidery. 

The city’s Mayor, Leopoldo Martins Rodrigues, welcomed Prince Amyn and paid tribute to his contribution to the arts in Europe and beyond. The Mayor, in particular, highlighted Prince Amyn’s contribution to the upliftment of Castelo Branco through the international projection of its tradition of embroidering.

This prestigious award, the city’s highest distinction, was unanimously approved by the Municipal Council and presented during the 253rd-anniversary celebrations of Castelo Branco’s elevation to city status. 

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June 30, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Honoured with Medal in Sintra, Portugal

The Mayor of Sintra, Basílio Horta, awarded the town’s Municipal Merit Medal to Prince Amyn Aga Khan in recognition of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)’s profound impact on the local area. Their many years of work have significantly enhanced the quality of life, inspiring hope and a brighter future. The honour was bestowed at the Town Hall during the Municipality Day celebrations hosted by Sintra City Council.

“It’s an appropriate day to salute you,” said Mayor Basílio Horta in his address at the event. “The Aga Khan Foundation, for us, is a very, very important partner, which serves our entire municipality, but extensively people who have special needs.”

“I’m delighted by the work that the Aga Khan Foundation has been doing here,” said Prince Amyn, who highlighted the importance of education, early childhood development, and culture in addressing some of the challenges communities and societies face today.

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July 1, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan Visits Houston to Review Ismaili Center Construction Progress

Prince Amyn Aga Khan met with the (new) Mayor of Houston, the Honorable John Whitmire, to discuss progress on the construction of the Ismaili Center in Houston, the seventh such center in the world and the first in the United States.

Mayor Whitmire became Houston’s 63rd Mayor on January 1, 2024, after winning a runoff election in a landslide on December 23, 2023. He succeeded Sylvester Turner (now deceased), who served as Houston’s Mayor for two consecutive terms, a limit imposed by the city charter.

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Prince Amyn and Jamati leaders met with the design team, including lead design architect Farshid Moussavi, structural engineer Hanif Kara, and landscape architect Thomas Woltz. They conducted a comprehensive review of the progress on the gardens and key spaces and facilities, including the prayer hall, blackbox theatre, social hall, open-air eivans, and administrative offices, leaving no stone unturned.

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July 4, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Prince Hussain and Princess Fareen Welcome Guests for 67th Imamat Day Commemorative Event

Prince Amyn Aga Khan and his nephew Prince Hussain, accompanied by his wife Princess Fareen, attended a reception at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 4, 2024. This was a momentous occasion, marking the 67th Imamat Day of Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, who became the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957, at the age of 20. in attendance were senior leaders of the Portuguese government, including former presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and mayors, many of whom have worked with the Imamat, leaders of Ismaili community institutions, the Aga Khan Development Network, and members of the diplomatic community and civil society.

Prince Amyn extended a warm welcome to guests at the event. He spoke about Ismaili Imamat’s partnership with Portugal to improve people’s lives. He said:

“Our work in this country and our partnership with Portugal and its people provide us with the creations, discoveries and the actions not only to be of benefit to the people of this country but to work fruitfully and successfully in some of the most difficult regions of the world.”

He also hoped that “that this building and your presence with us today will be seen as strong signals of hope. ”

Her Excellency the Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr. Margarida Blasco, offered her congratulations to His Highness the Aga Khan and the Ismaili community “for the excellent work that has been done here in Portugal, as in dozens of other countries, in favour of peace and social, economic and cultural development.”

“Portugal is proud to welcome you,” she added, “and to collaborate with you through the Aga Khan Development Network to create better living conditions for all.”

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September 26, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan at Toronto City Hall

Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, held a reception for Prince Amyn Aga Khan, who was in Toronto for events to mark the significant 10th anniversary of the Aga Khan Museum. She thanked Prince Amyn for the Ismaili Imamat and Jamat’s participation in Toronto’s ethos of diversity and inclusion: “We are so grateful,” she said, “for your incredible contributions to this city and to Canada.”

Mayor Chow noted the significant value that Imamat institutions have added to the city’s social and artistic landscape. She offered special appreciation to Prince Amyn for his deep engagement with the Aga Khan Museum. “We look forward to many many years of working together,” she added.

Prince Amyn expressed gratitude to Mayor Chow for the city’s ongoing support, and highlighted the shared values between the Ismaili Imamat and the city, including pluralism, inclusivity, and good governance. 

“One of our aims is to improve the quality of life of all the people around us,” Prince Amyn said. “I hope that whatever we do here will be of benefit to the city and to the country in general.”

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November 11, 2024: Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Prince Rahim at the Paris Peace Forum

A delegation of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) led by Prince Amyn and Prince Rahim Aga Khan participated in the 7th edition of the Paris Peace Forum on November 11, 2024. AKDN is the founding strategic partner of the Paris Peace Forum, reinforcing its enduring collaboration with the French Republic and commitment to historic shared values of peace, human development and pluralism. The Forum’s inclusive approach resonates with AKDN’s decades-long commitment to growth through partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector.

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2025

February 4-11, 2025: The Passing of Mawlana Shah Karim and the Takht-nishini of Mawlana Shah Rahim Hazar Imam

PRINCE AMYN AND MAWLANA SHAH KARIM

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Since the significant dates of July 11, 1957, and May 12, 1960, when Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, Prince Amyn’s grandfather, and Prince Aly Khan, his father, passed away, no day could have been sadder for Prince Amyn than February 4, 2025. This was the day when his beloved older brother, Mawlana Shah Karim, left this world. Mawlana Shah Karim and Prince Amyn shared a deep bond during their childhood in Kenya, filled with beautiful memories. After his graduation, Prince Amyn joined the United Nations. In the mid-1960s, he was called upon by Mawlana Shah Karim to consider joining him to work for the Imamat. Prince Amyn has shared an insightful account of this and his relationship with Mawlana Shah Karim in an interview that is not just informative but also a MUST-read for all, given its value and relevance. In 1,400 years of Ismaili history, with Mawlana Shah Karim’s Imamat being the second longest, no member of the Imam’s family has served the Imamat of a single Imam for as long as Prince Amyn.

MAWLANA SHAH KARIM’S PASSING

Prince Amyn’s service, often representing his brother, the Imam, on numerous occasions, was truly remarkable. His nephew, Mawlana Shah Rahim Hazar Imam, our beloved 50th Imam, acknowledged Prince Amyn’s unique contribution to the Imamat during his Takht-nishini on February 11, 2025. He said:

“My uncle, Prince Amyn, was a source of great companionship and support to my father all his life. He has played an important role in the creation and development of almost all of our institutions for nearly seven decades. I hope to continue to benefit from his experience and wise counsel in the years to come – please.”

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March 10, 2025: Prince Amyn Aga Khan attends Commonwealth Day Service

Prince Amyn Aga Khan, uncle of the 50th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, His Highness the Aga Khan, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday, March 10, 2025, in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III and other senior members of the Royal Family. Prince Amyn, representing the vice-president of the Royal Commonwealth Society — a position held by Mawlana Shah Karim, His Highness the Aga Khan IV (d. February 4, 2025) for several years — led the procession of Loyal Societies at the service.

At the event, Farina Inayat, a young member of the Ismaili Muslim community and recipient of the prestigious Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, had the honour of carrying the flag of Pakistan in the procession of Commonwealth nations. Farina, a distinguished graduate of the Aga Khan University in Pakistan and a dedicated nurse in Bristol, UK, met with Prince Amyn during the event (see photo above).

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March 27, 2025: Prince Amyn Aga Khan visits Houston, Texas, to review progress on Ismaili Center

Members of the Ismaili Center Oversight Committee, including Prince Amyn Aga Khan, uncle of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan and younger brother of Late Prince Karim Aga Khan (d. February 4, 2025), visited Houston this week to review the ongoing progress of the Ismaili Center. During his visit, Prince Amyn met with members of the Design Team to review significant updates to the project, including proposed artwork to be installed and its placement, the trees and plants in the gardens, and various internal and external finishes in the building. Additionally, forward-looking discussions were held about the types of programs that were expected to be held at the Center, sparking optimism and excitement about the project’s future.

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April 5, 2025: Prince Amyn attends dazzling concert performance by Aga Khan Master Musicians

Members of the family of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan — his uncle Prince Amyn, younger brothers Prince Hussain, accompanied by his wife Princess Fareen, and Prince Aly Muhammad — joined a sold-out audience to witness new developments in the Aga Khan Master Musicians’ pioneering music making across borders and cultures.

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At a post-concert reception, Prince Amyn spoke of the Ismaili Imamat’s cultural endeavours and explained how music can play a unifying role in today’s world.

“Your very presence supports the mission my brother [49th Ismaili Imam, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV] and I had defined when first creating the Aga Khan Music Programme over 25 years ago — a mission to support, celebrate and validate extraordinary artists and also creators of music inspired by the musical and poetic traditions of the Great East,” he said.

“The great medieval Eastern philosophers, many of whom were also music theorists and talented musicians, had a profound understanding of the power of sound to affect the human psyche and the emotions and to bring people together, to unite them, as we all share the same five senses.”

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May 19-20, 2025: Prince Amyn Aga Khan in Houston for Aga Khan Museum Gala and Ismaili Center Progress

Prince Amyn Aga Khan visited Houston, Texas, for the Aga Khan Museum’s 10th Anniversary Gala and reviewed progress on the construction of the Ismaili Center. The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto was opened by His Late Highness and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on September 12, 2014.

The Houston Gala was attended by museum supporters and invited guests, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire. Through its innovative online and in-person programs, the Museum reaches millions of people worldwide. It is home to a diverse and growing Permanent Collection of over 1,200 masterpieces, including manuscripts, paintings, ceramics, and textiles from the 9th to the 21st century, catering to a wide range of artistic and cultural interests.

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July 20-27, 2025: Prince Amyn attends the Ismaili Global Encounters Festival in Dubai

The 2025 Ismaili Global Encounters Festival, held in Dubai from July 20 to 27, 2025, was a momentous occasion that brought together thousands of Ismaili athletes, artists, volunteers, and spectators from around the world. This grand celebration of sporting and artistic talent within the Ismaili community was a testament to our collective achievements and the spirit of unity that binds us.  The event featured a variety of activities, including sports competitions, art exhibitions, music and theatre performances, and concerts, all designed to foster global unity and shared experiences within the Ismaili Jamat. The opening ceremony was a historic moment, graced by the presence of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, who joined Prince Amyn and Prince Aly Muhammad as special guests at the event.

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November 6, 2025. His Highness the Aga Khan pays special tribute to his uncle Prince Amyn at the inauguration of the Ismaili Center, Houston

Mawlana Hazar Imam’s uncle, Prince Amyn, the younger brother of the Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, and his two younger brothers, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad, attended the opening ceremony of the new Ismaili Center in Houston on November 6, 2025, alongside members of Congress, Texas state legislators, and representatives of faith communities from across the country.

In paying a special tribute his uncle, Mawlana Hazar Imam said that Prince Amyn’s “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 a constant and regular presence on this site and at deliberations throughout planning and execution. I am profoundly grateful for his insight and contribution.”

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November 20, 2025: Prince Amyn Aga Khan attends the Aga Khan Music Awards inaugural concerts leading to the 2025 Awards ceremony

In two inaugural concerts held at the Ismaili Centre, London, on November 20, 2025, as part of the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards, the Triveni Quartet — comprising Fazal Qureshi on tabla, Kala Ramnath on violin, Jayanthi Kumaresh on saraswati veena, and Anantha Krishnan on mridangam — presented a musical conversation deeply rooted in classical tradition yet thrillingly spontaneous. The concerts, which were live-streamed worldwide, were a tribute to the late Zakir Hussain, widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation.

The Ismaili Centre concerts were attended in the afternoon by Prince Amyn, Prince Aly Muhammad and his sister Princess Theresa Zu Leiningen, with Prince Hussain and Princess Fareen joining the evening performance. In attendance were Ustad Zakir’s family, delegates from the culture sector, music enthusiasts, as well as leaders of the Ismaili community, the Aga Khan Music Awards and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

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November 21, 2025: Prince Amyn Aga Khan confers Patron’s Award at the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards in London’s Southbank Centre

Following two sold-out concerts on November 20, 2025, at the Ismaili Center London, by Triveni Quartet in honour of the famed tabla player Zakir Hussain, the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards opened its evening at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s renowned Southbank Centre on November 21 with Prince Amyn Aga Khan, uncle of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, conferring the distinguished Patron’s Award upon the Warsi Brothers and Naseeruddin Saami — two of South Asia’s most remarkable musical acts.

Both the Warsi and Saami musical lineages trace their heritage to Amir Khusrau, the esteemed 13th-century Sufi poet, musician and visionary polymath who profoundly shaped the cultural history of South Asia. Credited with creating the qawwali and khyal traditions, Amir Khusrau remains an enduring symbol of cultural pluralism.

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In his remarks, Prince Amyn emphasized the importance of the Patron’s Award, which honours laureates who exemplify humanitarianism and pluralism, encouraging attendees to recognize their vital contributions. “It is especially meaningful for me,” he said, “to bestow the Patron’s Award on these distinguished artists, who have so vigorously shared Amir Khusrau’s legacy of humanitarianism and pluralism with audiences in both South Asia and around the world.”

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November 23, 2025: Members of His Highness the Aga Khan’s family honour winners of the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards

The world’s music industry came together to celebrate eleven groundbreaking artists being honoured as 2025 winners of the Aga Khan Music Awards in a ceremony on November 23, 2025, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre, London. The laureates, selected by an independent seven-member jury from a pool of over 400 nominees, share a prize fund of $500,000 and gain access to professional opportunities such as commissions, recordings, management contracts, and support for educational and preservation initiatives. In attendance were special guests: His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE’s Minister of Culture; and Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain’s Authority for Culture and Antiquities. Prince Amyn Aga Khan was also present, along with Prince Hussain, Princess Fareen, Prince Aly Muhammad, and leaders of the Ismaili community and the Aga Khan Development Network. Prince Amyn, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad presented the Awards to the laureates.

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January 16, 2026: Prince Amyn Aga Khan meets President of Portugal as he completes his two full terms

Prince Amyn Aga met with His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, at the Presidential Palace in Belém, Lisbon. Prince Amyn conveyed New Year’s greetings, acknowledged President De Sousa’s outstanding service to the country, and thanked him for his tireless efforts for the protection of human dignity and the promotion of pluralism and peace.

The Portuguese President completed his second and final five-year consecutive term in office, and was not eligible for re-election. He was succeeded by António José Seguro, who won the second round of election on February 8, 2026.

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July 9, 2026: Prince Amyn Aga Khan attends a beautiful tribute to his late brother, Mawlana Shah Karim, in Porto Cervo, Northern Sardinia

At a ceremony in Porto Cervo on July 9, 2026, local officials formally named the Central Square in Porto Cervo, Northern Sardinia, after Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. A commemorative sculpture was also unveiled to acknowledge his pioneering work to develop the surrounding area in Sardinia into a thriving coastal region. Mawlana Hazar Imam was in attendance along with Prince Amyn and Princes Irfan and Sinan. In his remarks, which he delivered partly in Italian, Hazar Imam thanked local officials for the posthumous honour bestowed upon his father.

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August 21, 2026: Prince Amyn Aga Khan in Edinburgh for Aga Khan Music Programme Concerts

The Aga Khan Music Programme (AKMP) and Edinburgh International Festival celebrated the success of the 2026 AKMP series on August 21, following three sold-out concerts and an extended programme of learning and community engagement activity across the city. Presented in partnership with the Edinburgh International Festival, the series brought together Aga Khan Master Musicians and Aga Khan Music Awards winners in performances that explored the richness of musical traditions from across the Middle East and West Africa, while demonstrating how these traditions continue to evolve through contemporary artistic practice. The concerts reflected the Aga Khan Music Programme’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange, artistic excellence and musical pluralism.

The concerts took place in the presence of Prince Amyn Aga Khan, younger brother of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV and uncle of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. Prince Amyn is the Co-Chair of the Aga Khan Music Awards and a longstanding supporter of the Aga Khan Development Network’s work across culture, education and international development. Throughout his public life, Prince Amyn Aga Khan has championed initiatives that strengthen cultural heritage and creativity as essential elements of human development, helping to advance the vision that underpins the Aga Khan Music Programme.

Date posted: September 12, 2026.

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