http://akdn.org/speeches/2008july3.html

Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Banquet in London, United Kingdom 3 July 2008

(Please also see Related Material)

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Baroness Thatcher
Secretary of State John Denham
High Representative Solana
Your Excellencies
My Lords
Ladies and Gentlemen

What a great pleasure it is for me to welcome you tonight - to greet so many friends, old and new - and to acknowledge how much your friendship - and that of this country - has meant to me.

I am deeply grateful for your warm welcome. I am no stranger to London, but this is a very special visit, as it is part of a year-long celebration - the Golden Jubilee anniversary of my Imamat.

I came to this office in 1957 upon the passing away of my grandfather. I was an undergraduate university student at that time - and perhaps I seemed a rather unusual student, when I showed up for the next school term with two secretaries and a personal assistant!

In Islamic thought and practice, the world of the spirit and the world of daily life are inseparably intertwined. This is why, over a half century, my role as a spiritual leader has also required me to act in a host of social, economic and cultural endeavours, in order to secure and enhance the well being of the Ismailis and the communities amongst which they live. The Aga Khan Development Network has grown out of those efforts, and I am happy to say, the size of its staff has also grown just a bit since my undergraduate days!

In all of these endeavours, we have developed wonderful partnerships with many institutions around the world. And many of our most effective partners have come from this country.

These partnerships have involved many collaborators - governmental and private, academic and charitable, non-profit and commercial, religious and secular, national and international - providing not only financial resources but also human resources and intellectual capital. London has also been an important base for our work with Governments around Europe, and with the European Union itself.

Many of our partners - from the UK and other parts of Europe - are represented here tonight. We have been fortunate in these relationships, and I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who have made them possible.

Our spirit of partnership here has deep roots. Over a century ago, my grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, worked closely with Her Majesty Queen Victoria and her governments in the pursuit of common ideals. These ties were further strengthened by the strong presence of the Ismaili community - initially in places which later became Commonwealth countries, and later, here in the United Kingdom.

Many of the developing countries in which Ismailis lived were just coming into independent nationhood when I took office fifty years ago. Since that time, my attention has been focused on their challenges. My goal has been to improve the quality of life and to build new opportunity for Ismailis and the peoples amongst whom they live, while strongly supporting their pluralism and diversity.

The approach we take in the Aga Khan Development Network is non-denominational and holistic. It encompasses both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. We seek to catalyze the creation of necessary basic infrastructure, together with the provision of good quality education and healthcare. We are concerned with ensuring access to appropriate credit for the poor at the same time as we are working to sustain the arts and culture.

It is particularly in the field of rural development in East Africa, South East Asia and Central Asia that we have established long standing and successful programmes with the Department for International Development. This has been born of a common philosophy and approach, and has resulted in an improvement in the quality of life for tens of millions of people in some of the poorest regions in the world.

It is striking to me that in 1957, there were only about 100 Ismaili residents in this country, and most of them were students. Today, there are fourteen thousand Ismailis permanently living here and of all ages and walks of life.

Our story in this country is a case study in the settlement of an immigrant community - one which originated from East Africa, the Indian subcontinent and now Central Asia. Upheavals in their native lands - wars of independence, civil wars, collapsed economies and other dislocations affected the Ismailis and millions of others around them. Today almost one third of my community in this country have been born in the United Kingdom. They have maintained their religious and cultural identity and they are well integrated into their local environment. It is a community in which over 90 per cent of the university age population participate in tertiary education. The average household income is a third higher than the national average - although I say this with some trepidation as I hope we are not being overheard by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs!

Britain has been an enabling environment. As a result, the community is now making a meaningful contribution to the economy and civic society, whilst also providing a resource to support initiatives in other parts of the world.

In 1957, there was only one Ismaili space here for congregational prayer - and that was on leased premises! Creating places of prayer as centres for community life was fundamental to ensuring the cohesion of the community, and there are now over 40 such places. Among them, of course, a central focal point is The Ismaili Centre, located in South Kensington. Having Baroness Thatcher with us tonight is particularly significant because The Ismaili Centre was opened by her in 1985.

Like other Ismaili Centres around the world, the London Centre serves not only as a gathering place for Ismailis, but as an active participant in local society, sponsoring a variety of cultural initiatives - exhibitions, lectures and other public events. These efforts reflect our pride in our heritage and our eagerness to share it with others.

We have also, in these recent decades, established two new institutions of higher learning here, The Institute of Ismaili Studies, and The Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations, which is part of the Aga Khan University. They both offer Masters level teaching programmes, they engage in research and publication, and they also develop curriculum materials for children in primary and secondary schools. In all these efforts, they take a holistic, civilizational approach to Islamic studies, rather than emphasizing the more narrow domain of theological dialectic.

What some describe as a clash of civilizations in our modern world is, in my view, a clash of ignorances. This is why education about religious and cultural heritage is so critically important—and why we will continue to invest in these institutions. We deeply believe that scholarship, publication and instruction—of high quality and generous breadth– can provide important pathways toward a more pluralistic and peaceful world.

All of these comments, then, speak to the context in which we gather tonight– a rich history of partnership reaching deeply into the past - and extending, we hope and trust, into an even more productive future.

Thank you very much.

http://akdn.org/speeches/2008july3.html

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…..Asked what was discussed at the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Aga Khan, the PMS said that they had discussed the cooperation between the Government and the Aga Khan Development Network, which supported projects in health, education, poverty alleviation, peace and stability. The Prime Minister had also congratulated the Aga Khan on his golden jubilee.

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page15895.asp

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From The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s photostream at Flickr. All photos link to original source.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw meeting His Highness the Aga Khan at Lancaster House, London, 3 July 2008.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband meeting His Highness the Aga Khan in London, 3 July 2008.

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The Ismaili Muslim Community of Calgary cordially invites you to celebrate the Calgary Stampede from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Ismaili Jamatkhana, 4623 11 St. N.E.  This year the Ismaili Muslim Community is proud to partner with the Women & Wellness Conference to celebrate the meaningful role of women in developing an enriched civil society. As a special feature attendees are also invited to tour the Historic Cities Programme Exhibition in the Social Hall of the Jamatkhana.

Calgary Herald

Information available in attached PDF: ismaili_community_stampede

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) meets the Aga Khan, who is visiting the United Kingdom to mark the fiftieth anniversary of becoming the Imam of the Shia Ismaili community, at 10 Downing Street, in London, on July 3, 2008. The Aga Khan is expected to attend a dinner hosted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II during his visit.  Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

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Thursday, July 3: This morning, on the first full day of his Golden Jubilee visit to the United Kingdom, His Highness the Aga Khan met with the British Government’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, The Rt Hon David Miliband MP at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

His Highness was a guest of honor at a luncheon hosted by The Rt Hon Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Justice and the Lord Chancellor. After lunch he met with British Prime Minister The Rt Hon Gordon Brown.

Wednesday July 2: His Highness the Aga Khan arrived in London, England, commencing his seven-day Golden Jubilee visit to the United Kingdom. He was greeted at the airport by officials of the British Government and leaders of the UK Jamat.

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/484/United-Kingdom-visit

Additional Photographs

Published: Thursday, July 03, 2008

At this time of year, one could be forgiven for turning one’s thoughts to summer, taking the kids to the parade tomorrow, seeing if last year’s cowboy shirt still buttons over this year’s gut (maybe that’s just me . . . and the prime minister).

I’m busy helping organize a really great community event myself — the Ismaili Muslim Community Stampede Breakfast on Saturday morning. Do stop by; it’s at the southeast corner of McKnight and Deerfoot.

With all this activity and the warm weather, it’s hard to get up a head of steam about politics. Nonetheless, summer is a good time to take stock of who we are as a community and where we want to go.

Complete at the source

CHITRAL, 03 July 08: Mass wedding ceremony of 14 couples was held in Madaklasht valley.

The mass wedding ceremony was organized by Aga Khan Council in collaboration with Aga Khan Social Welfare Board. The organisers had fixed rupees 40 to 50 thousand as alimony and jointure per bride. The mass wedding was arranged to save the couples families from over and unnecessary spendings. A cultural and musical show was also arranged on the occasion.

The brides were presented gifts by the Aga Khan Social Welfare Board. A large number of men and women folk of the area participated in the ceremony. The mass wedding ceremony celebrated in a simple way is a very good example of the much needed practice of simplicity and austerity missing from our society. –(GH Farooqi)

http://www.chitralnews.com/LN960.htm

Official Website of Shigar Fort

Shigar Fort Residence has been open since June 1, 2005, following an intensive six-year restoration undertaken by Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan. Originally known as Fong-Khar, which in the local Balti language means “Palace on the Rock”, this 400-year old Raja fort-palace has been brought back to life following a careful strategy of adaptive re-use and restoration. The result is a combination of authentic original 17th century architecture together with the modern amenities and services of a luxury guest house.

Source

Earlier related:
UNESCO - 2006 Award of Excellence: Shigar Fort Palace
A prince of the Islamic world: Aga Khan - A must read

Around the world, an estimated one billion people–mostly in rural villages and the shanty towns surrounding developing-world cities–live in houses whose roofs are nothing more than thin sheets of corrugated metal. These houses become unbearably hot in the summer, freezing in the winter (especially in high-altitude regions), and deafeningly noisy when heavy rains pound on the bare metal.
A group of students from MIT and elsewhere think they have found a way to fix these problems all while generating jobs and income for local people in the process. This summer, they’ll be putting their ideas to the test.

–snip–

The team has formed partnerships with World Wildlife Fund, which is interested in the insulation from the perspective of reducing deforestation, as well as Packages Ltd., one of the largest straw processing firms in Pakistan, which is interested in the commercial potential, and the Aga Khan foundation, which is interested in poverty alleviation and improving living conditions in the northern areas. These partnerships have enabled the pilot project and planning for future scaleup of the project.

Physorg.com

“In a Knowledge Society, the most productive investments we can make are investments in education.”
His Highness the Aga Khan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 2008

CALGARY, July 2 /CNW Telbec/ - High-achieving students from the Ismaili Muslim Community across Canada will gather at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Calgary on Saturday, July 5th (6.30PM) to learn how participation in today’s Knowledge Society is essential for individual and community progress.

The Honorable Dave Hancock, Minister of Education of Alberta, will be the guest of honour and Dr. Tom Kessinger, Deputy Chairman, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), will deliver the keynote address.
The occasion is the inaugural Canadian Ismaili Students Total Achievement Recognition (I-STAR) Awards Gala which aims to promote, recognize and celebrate excellence achieved in all areas of endeavor by top calibre Canadian Ismaili Muslim youth at the junior high, secondary, and post-secondary levels.

This year’s National awards will recognize the achievements of 150 youth from across Canada who have been selected at regional I-STAR events in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. This high calibre awards ceremony encourages students from Grade 9 to Post-Secondary to strive for and
achieve excellence in academics, community service and leadership, athletics, arts and humanities, and science and technology.

“The theme of this first Canadian I-STAR Awards Gala is The Knowledge Society” said Shaukat Jiwa, Chairperson of the Aga Khan Education Board for Canada. “We recognize that we live in an age where human intellect, imagination and ingenuity have become the currency of choice and one that highlights the necessity of lifelong learning and the search for excellence.

We hope that our youth will become contributors in the 21st century Knowledge Society and will use this knowledge in a manner that is consistent with the ethics and values of our faith.”

The Canadian I-STAR Awards Gala is a national initiative commemorating the Golden Jubilee of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan as the Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.

The Ismaili Muslims are a community of ethnically and culturally diverse peoples living in over 25 countries around the world, united in their allegiance to the Aga Khan as the 49th hereditary Imam and direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Further information on the Ismaili Muslim Community may be found at www.theismaili.org.

CNW Telbec

Related:
National I-Star Awards - Calgary, Saturday July 5
Canadian I-STAR: Recognizing Excellence Coast to Coast

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Official seven-day trip will mark 50 years of becoming Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and the Aga Khan Development Network’s long-standing partnership with the British Government

2 July 2008, London, United Kingdom - His Highness the Aga Khan, arrives later today on an official seven-day visit to the United Kingdom on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.

During this visit, the Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims will attend a dinner hosted by Her Majesty the Queen to mark his Golden Jubilee and to acknowledge the close relationship he and his family have had over generations with the British Monarchy and the UK.

The Aga Khan is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary as well as the Secretary of State for International Development. The Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice, will host a lunch in his honour. He will also meet with the Leader of the Opposition and the Mayor of London. During his visit, the Aga Khan will meet with members of the Ismaili community.

The Aga Khan Development Network has had a longstanding relationship with development partners in the United Kingdom. Over the past 25 years, AKDN has received approximately $100m in complementary support of its development activities from UK institutions, primarily the Department for International Development (DfID) and its predecessors. The geographic areas of cooperation between the British Government and AKDN include Africa, Central Asia, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan, where UK support has played an important role in making a difference in the quality of life of tens of millions of people.

During his visit to the United Kingdom, the Aga Khan will host a dinner for senior members of the Government, diplomats, distinguished leaders from industry, academia, the arts, faith communities, the NGO sector as well as leaders of the Ismaili community. The evening will provide an opportunity for the Aga Khan to thank the British Government and the civil society representatives for their unwavering support and commitment.

During the past 50 years, the Aga Khan has fostered and overseen the growth of one of the largest private development networks in the world. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is engaged in a wide range of activities in education, healthcare, rural development, cultural and economic development. These activities are undertaken for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion in some of the poorest regions of the world. The work of the
Aga Khan Development Network is undertaken through its nine agencies in partnership with Governments and leading multilateral agencies.

The Aga Khan has received numerous awards and decorations. The title ‘His Highness’ was bestowed to him by Her Majesty the Queen in 1957.

This visit to the United Kingdom is one of many that the Aga Khan is undertaking around the world in commemoration of his Golden Jubilee year – the 50th anniversary of becoming the Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims – an ethnically diverse community whose members reside in some 25 countries, including the UK. He is founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Source

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Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tom Kessinger

Dr. Tom Kessinger will be the Keynote Speaker at the inaugural Canadian Ismaili Students Total Achievement Recognition (I-STAR) Awards Gala to be held on Saturday, July 5 at the Calgary Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Dr. Kessinger has been involved with many non-profit organizations globally for over ten years such as the Peace Corps and the Ford Foundation. He has served as a tenured member of the faculty at the Universities of Virginia and Pennsylvania and was elected as the eleventh President of Haverford College.

Dr. Kessinger has served with Imamat institutions for over 20 years and began his career as the General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was instrumental in the development of the Historic Cities Program in Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East and North Africa.

Dr. Kessinger is based in Aiglemont and is currently the General Manager of the Aga Khan Foundation, responsible for overseeing the Foundation’s work worldwide. In addition to his responsibilities as the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Dr. Kessinger works very closely with His Highness the Aga Khan on various international projects and frequently travels with him across the world.

All I-STAR participants, their families, and public at large from across Canada are invited to attend this historic Golden Jubilee weekend in Calgary. The festivities will begin on Friday, July 4 at the 2008 Calgary Stampede Parade. In the evening, I-STAR participants will watch Stampede Chuckwagon Races and will be seated in the Stampede Grandstands as VIP guests.  The I-STAR Gala Awards and Banquet will be held at the Calgary Hyatt the evening of Saturday, July 5.

From Easy Nash

Summer reading for those who are interested; My choice of the top 50 posts in my 375-post Blog

My blog postings are about to become sporadic as the summer vacation dawns upon us so I came up with a list of my top 50 posts as I see them. They represent a tiny fraction of my experiential encounter with the religion of my birth, Islam. The idea that learning about our universe, what it is made up of and how it operates, can be and is an integral part of the faith of Islam is a very powerful idea indeed. Here they are in descending order:

http://gonashgo.blogspot.com

The Golden Jubilee Games, a week-long international Ismaili festival of sport in celebration of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Golden Jubilee, took place in Nairobi, Kenya between 23 – 29 June. You are invited to relive the experience of the Games through the detailed coverage provided by TheIsmaili.org, the official website of the Ismaili Muslim community.

Feature articles

The ceremonial end; the beginning of an era

The inaugural Golden Jubilee Games came to a close on 29 June 2008, following seven days of international brotherhood, intense athleticism, and a celebration of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Jubilee through sport. The Closing Ceremony was attended by Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya.

Celebrating the spirit of the Games

Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya join the Jamat to participate in the Games

More feature articles…

Sport Coverage

Games draw to a close: Final sports wrap- up

The Golden Jubilee Games wrapped-up on Sunday following final matches in 14 sport categories.

Medal winners by sport

Sport action

Video and Photo Gallery

Video: A time to shine

This video montage documents the struggles that athletes faced during the Games, and their valiance in overcoming them.

Video: Celebrating the Games

Video: Opening Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Games

Golden Jubilee Games photo gallery

More video and photos…

Remembering the Games

Looking back at the Games

Complete Voices of the Village

Today at the Games: A diary

With the hot sun pounding down on their beaming faces, 58 people were sworn in as Canadian citizens Tuesday at the Alberta legislature.

Among them was Nothando Aggrey, 38, who arrived in Canada from Zimbabwe in 2001.

“I feel great. I feel like shouting,” the shy woman professed, laughing. “I do feel like a Canadian, although deep inside I am a Zimbabwean.”

Aggrey moved to Canada with her husband to flee the violence in her home country.

“I came because of the political situation,” said Aggrey, describing it as “hell.”

“Canada is a country that has lots of freedom. That’s why I came here.”

-snip-

Citizenship Judge Sonia Bitar, who was herself an immigrant after fleeing her home country of Lebanon, conducted the ceremony.

“People from different cultures and backgrounds, they chose a different life in Canada,” she told the crowd. “To tell you the truth, we are living in the best country in the whole world.”

The group ceremony wrapped up with the singing of O Canada, followed by some tea served by Edmonton’s Ismaili community. For Aggrey, it was her first time singing the national anthem.

“It felt great,” she said with a giant grin. “It felt so liberating.”

-snip-

Edmonton Journal

An excellent article from Irish Times

ALISON HEALY

THE AGA Khan has received an honorary degree from NUI Maynooth for his work in eliminating poverty, encouraging the advancement of women and promoting Islamic culture and pluralism.

The Aga Khan (71) is the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, whose 15 million-strong population is spread across 25 countries.

A key figure in the equine industry, he has close ties with Ireland and owns properties including Gilltown Stud in Kilcullen, Co Kildare.

He received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the chancellor of the NUI, Dr Garret FitzGerald, in a ceremony attended by his eldest child, Princess Zahra.

In his citation, NUI Maynooth president Prof John Hughes said the Aga Khan was the first member of the Islamic community to be honoured in this way.

“It is particularly fitting that this university should honour him at this time, steeped as it is, and proudly so, in the history of Catholicism in Ireland, but now a vibrant, multicultural and multi-denominational university,” Prof Hughes said.

“For the Aga Khan embodies the spirit of understanding, tolerance and ecumenism that should link the great religions of the world. For 50 years he has been a voice of moderation, a voice of reason, in promoting an Islam that embraces and indeed celebrates pluralism and diversity.”

The Aga Khan became Imam or spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in 1957, at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, a former president of the League of Nations. The Aga Khan is founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of development agencies which supports the developing world in areas such as education, health, enterprise and architecture.

Prof Hughes said the Aga Khan had become “a major activist for civilised humanity and universal values” and added that he had championed religious pluralism as a way of building a common understanding around the globe. “We in Ireland readily identify with this view, given that it brought peace to the island,” he said.

The Aga Khan said he was “deeply honoured” to receive the award, particularly as he was the first Muslim to do so. “Being the first Muslim does carry a level of symbolism with it, which I appreciate enormously because it means that institutions, particularly this institution, is looking at the wider horizons of our world,” he said.

He described NUI Maynooth as “a pathfinder” for people working in the developing world because of the way it linked research with economic development.

The visit had given “a wonderful opportunity to be able to look to this university and see how together we might build bridges for a better future between Ireland and the developing world,” the Aga Khan said.

Prof Hughes said the university was hugely excited by the possibility of collaboration with the Aga Khan as it already had outreach programmes in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. “I see enormous opportunities,” he said.

The university, which offers a BA in equine business, was keenly aware of the Aga Khan’s links with Ireland and Prof Hughes said the Aga Khan had played “a very significant role” in the Irish horse racing industry.

The Aga Khan also called for a greater pluralism in education and said it was essential to enhance the understanding that pluralism was an asset, not a liability.

People were not born with the capacity to see those from different backgrounds as equals, but with the right education, they could become pluralist without even being aware of it, he said.

Dr FitzGerald said it was a particular honour to present the honorary degree and he added that most people were unaware of the scale of educational work initiated by the Aga Khan.

© 2008 The Irish Times

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http://www.theismaili.org/default.asp?id=376

New videos:

30 June 2008 - NUI Maynooth

His Highness the Aga Khan today received an honorary law doctorate from National University of Ireland, Maynooth. He was cited for “outstanding contributions to the elimination of global poverty, the advancement of women, the promotion of Islamic culture and the furthering of pluralistic values in society”. The Aga Khan received his honorary doctorate from the Chancellor of the NUI, Dr Garret FitzGerald.

Speaking at the conferral NUI Maynooth President, Professor John Hughes said “Today the college is honouring an individual who has made a significant positive impact in the developing world. He has championed religious pluralism as a way of building a common understanding among millions of people throughout the globe. We in Ireland readily identify with this view given, that it brought peace to this island. This University is very proud to honour the Aga Khan and to recognise his great achievements”.

His Highness the Aga Khan became Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. He is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. Today, the Ismailis live in some 25 countries, mainly in West and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in North America and Western Europe.

Related: AKDN - Media

The Aga Khan has dedicated his life to addressing serious issues in the developing world. He is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the largest private development groups in the world. AKDN is made up of a group of institutions working to improve living conditions and opportunities in specific regions of the developing world. Their individual mandates range from architecture, education and health to the promotion of private sector enterprise, the enhancement of non-government organisations and rural development.

NUI Maynooth, which offers a BA in Equine Business, is keenly aware of the close ties that the Aga Khan has with both Ireland and the local Kildare community. He has played a very significant role in this country through his involvement in the Irish horse racing industry. He owns a number of stud farms across the country. The Aga Khan took over the studs from the estate of his father Prince Aly Khan, his inheritance included six farms in Ireland: Sheshoon, Ballymany, Ongar, Gilltown, Sallymount and Williamstown.

Sheshoon Stud in Kildare with the incorporation of Brownstown, is the oldest continuously operative stud in Ireland or England and was the first Irish farm purchased by the late Aga Khan. Today Gilltown, Sallymount and Sheshoon are nature sanctuaries with a great variety of wildlife, flowers and rare mature trees.

“His Highness is the first member of the Islamic community to be so honoured in the history of NUI Maynooth and it is particularly fitting that this University should honour him at this time, steeped as it is in the history of Catholicism in Ireland, but now a vibrant multicultural and multi-denominational university. For the Aga Khan embodies the spirit of understanding, tolerance and ecumenism that should link the great religions of the world” added Professor Hughes.

National University of Ireland, Maynooth is Ireland’s fastest growing university with about 9,000 students including 1,000 postgraduate students across 300 programmes. In 2008 the University has seen a 14% rise in its CAO first preferences – the highest of any institution in the country.

NUI Maynooth

Related: AKDN - Media

Press Release - Photographs

President John Hughes citation

Maynooth, Ireland, 30 June 2008 - His Highness the Aga Khan today received an honorary law doctorate from National University of Ireland, Maynooth. He was cited for “outstanding contributions to the elimination of global poverty, the advancement of women, the promotion of Islamic culture and the furthering of pluralistic values in society”. The Aga Khan received his honorary doctorate from the President of NUI Maynooth, Professor John Hughes.

Speaking at the conferral NUI Maynooth President, Professor John Hughes said “Today the college is honouring an individual who has made a significant positive impact in the developing world. He has championed religious pluralism as a way of building a common understanding among people throughout the globe. We in Ireland readily identify with this view given that it brought peace to this island. This University is very proud to honour the Aga Khan and to recognise his great achievements”.

His Highness the Aga Khan became Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. He is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. Today, the Ismailis live in some 25 countries, mainly in West and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in North America and Western Europe.

The Aga Khan has dedicated his life to addressing serious issues in the developing world. He is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the largest private development groups in the world. AKDN is made up of a group of institutions working to improve living conditions and opportunities in specific regions of the developing world. Their individual mandates range from architecture, education and health to the promotion of private sector enterprise, the enhancement of non-government organisations and rural development.

NUI Maynooth, which offers a course in Equine Business, is keenly aware of the close ties that the Aga Khan has with both Ireland and the local Kildare community. He has played a very significant role in this country through his involvement in the Irish horse racing industry. He owns a number of stud farms across the country. The Aga Khan took over the studs from the estate of his father Prince Aly Khan, his inheritance included six farms in Ireland: Sheshoon, Ballymany, Ongar, Gilltown, Sallymount and Williamstown.

Sheshoon Stud in Kildare with the incorporation of Brownstown, is the oldest continuously operative stud in Ireland or England and was the first Irish farm purchased by the late Aga Khan. Today Gilltown, Sallymount and Sheshoon are nature sanctuaries with a great variety of wildlife, flowers and rare mature trees.

“His Highness is the first member of the Islamic community to be so honoured in the history of NUI Maynooth and it is particularly fitting that this University should honour him at this time, steeped as it is in the history of Catholicism in Ireland, but now a vibrant multicultural and multi-denominational university. For the Aga Khan embodies the spirit of understanding, tolerance and ecumenism that should link the great religions of the world” added Prof. Hughes.

National University of Ireland, Maynooth is Ireland’s fastest growing university with about 9,000 students including 1,000 postgraduate students across 300 programmes. In 2008 the University has seen a 14% rise in its CAO first preferences – the highest of any institution in the country.

http://www.akdn.org/news/2008june30.html

Earlier related

http://fdc4all.blogspot.com/2008/07/aga-khan-foundation-fdc-from-india.html
Note: source contains Google Ads

Accompanied by an Ismaili friend of mine, I ventured to the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver’s Yaletown district to take a look at the Bridges That Unite exhibit that was on display for a limited time only. After being greeted by an usher, volunteers led us through each stage of the exhibit and explained the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and what Canada has to offer to the world at large. AKDN is a non-denominational organization that restores sites of cultural significance, provides educational opportunities for people in rural areas, and is involved in a host of other activities. I was not aware of their wide reaching activities, so this exhibit provided a valuable learning opportunity through the use of guides, multimedia, and physical artifacts. - http://arnab.blogspot.com/2008/06/bridges-that-unite.html

Video is in Arabic

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture hopes that upgrading the area with new homes, a park, and the restoration of monuments would attract new investment to the community.