From the Archive
On this day in 2012, Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurated the Bujagali Hydropower Project. We look back on the story of the Bujagali Hydropower Project, starting with its foundation ceremony during Mawlana Hazar Imam's Golden Jubilee and seeing it through the years until it's the inauguration. We also take a quick look at the impact of Bujagali and other AKDN projects over the years in Uganda.
Path to Peace: Mawlana Hazar Imam's Second Visit to Tajikistan 22 September 1998.
His Highness The Aga Khan, leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims, receives the inaugural Adrienne Clarkson Prize for Global Citizenship. The annual award, earmarked for individuals who work to remove barriers and support the principles of tolerance and respect, is part of the 6 Degrees initiative. Among the dignitaries at the event were Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory. Farah Nasser reports.
On 19 May 2017, the Architectural League of New York awarded Mawlana Hazar Imam the President’s Medal, its highest and most important honour. The occasion highlighted the values of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, established 40 years ago.
In 2005, Mawlana Hazar Imam was awarded the Die Quadriga prize in recognition of his life’s work in helping people in the poorest regions of the world. We then tune in for the first part of the sixth Annual Pluralism Lecture, delivered by Karen Armstrong, author, and religious historian. Her lecture, entitled “Compassion or Toleration? Two Approaches to Pluralism" explores why pluralism is now of utmost global importance.
The Aga Khan became the first faith leader to address the Canadian Parliament. Shortly after, he sat down with Peter Mansbridge to discuss civil society in the developing world, and his concerns about Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East. Filmed 27 February 2014.
Our Imam, Our Times looks back on 50 years of the Imamat of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
You can read more about the history of the Ismaili Imamat on the Ismaili.Imamat website »
On 10 October 2019, Princess Zahra Aga Khan received Asia Society Texas Center's Huffington Award in Houston, Texas. The award is the highest honour bestowed by the Texas Center recognising leaders who are a major force on the international stage. Princess Zahra Aga Khan was honoured for her outstanding contributions that have furthered international understanding, uplifted lives, and advanced health and education through her work with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
You can read more about this event at The.Ismaili website »
Mawlana Hazar Imam visited Madagascar during his Golden Jubilee in 2007. President Nishad Djaffar delivered a loyalty address to the Imam on behalf of the Jamat of Madagascar and the countries under its jurisdiction.
Highlights from day seven of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
Highlights from day six of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
Highlights from day five of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
Highlights from day four of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
Highlights from day three of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
Highlights from day two of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
For two years filmmaker Veronika Hofer and her crew travelled the world visiting projects of the Aga Khan's organisations and to accompany His Highness. They visited the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in Doha, they explored projects in Egypt, Kenya, and India. In London and Paris Veronika Hofer searched the archives of the Aga Khan to find the most significant images. Finally, Veronika Hofer met Karim Aga Khan for an extraordinary personal and thoughtful interview in his private home in Nairobi.
On 16 December 2016, Mawlana Hazar Imam's 80th birthday was celebrated at Aiglemont by Jamati and institutional leaders, who represented the worldwide Ismaili community, and by members of Hazar Imam’s family.
A photo gallery of Mawlana Hazar Imam's 80th birthday celebration at Aiglemont can be viewed at The.Ismaili »
During his Canadian visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the Governor-General of Canada, as well as senior government and Jamati leaders, and granted four Golden Jubilee Darbars across the country. Hazar Imam was joined by the Prime Minister for the opening of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa.
On 11 July 2007, Mawlana Hazar Imam completed 50 years as Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismailis. Fifty years ago, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. As part of the commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee, Hazar Imam made official visits to countries around the world. In addition to recognising the friendship and longstanding support of leaders of state, government and other partners in the work of the Ismaili Imamat, Mawlana Hazar Imam granted some 26 Golden Jubilee Darbars to the worldwide Jamat. This film, Golden Jubilee Memories, provides an opportunity to relive the memories of those Golden Jubilee visits.
Mawlana Hazar Imam made an eight-day Golden Jubilee visit to the United States from 11 – 19 April 2008. During the visit, Hazar Imam granted Darbars in Texas, California, Illinois and Georgia, met with government leaders, and delivered the International Baccalaureate Organisation Peterson Lecture.
From 1999 to 2007, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) undertook conservation work on the citadels of Aleppo, Salah ad-Din and Masyaf in partnership with the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums. Work focused in three main areas: conservation of the Citadels; training of antiquities staff, local craftsmen and building professionals in modern conservation practice (while the conservation projects were carried out); and development of re-utilisation plans for the Citadels, including management guidelines and investments in visitor infrastructure such as visitor centres, pathways, signage, etc.
You can read more about AKDN's work in Syria on the AKDN website »