https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... -inspired/
Where faith and beauty bloom: Inside Edmonton’s new Islamic-inspired garden
After years of planning and a $25-million donation from the Aga Khan, a monument to Muslim culture and the majesty of nature is opening to the public this weekend
Marty Klinkenberg
EDMONTON
Published June 26, 2018
The world’s newest and northernmost Islamic-inspired garden has been sculpted out of Alberta’s rugged countryside on a tract of land 15 minutes northwest of the Edmonton airport.
The Aga Khan Garden, funded by a $25-million donation from the philanthropist and spiritual leader of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslims, opens Canada Day weekend on the grounds of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.
The Aga Khan chose the site in 2009 when he came to Edmonton to deliver the university’s convocation address. It is just the second garden of its kind in North America, and is larger than the one that opened in Toronto in 2015.
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Design elements were drawn from Persian gardens established in the 16th century and Islamic architectural treasures, including the Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb and the Red Fort in India and Al-Azhar Park in Egypt. The 12-acre plot is not intended to be a religious space but a place for people to learn about one another with nature as a unifying feature.
“It is a huge opportunity to draw a distinction between the culture of Islam and the religion,” says Lee Foote, director of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden. “It is a showcase for architecture and cultural meaning. Those with deep faith will see in it the work of their creator. In others, awe will be inspired by the architecture or the wonder of nature.”
The project was planned and designed over eight years by a U.S.-based landscape architecture firm that dispatched employees to study historical sites around the globe. They saturated themselves in Islamic landscapes and consulted with scholars to understand the underlying themes.
Medieval Islamic gardens are known for their use of geometric lines and terraces to tame uneven terrain. Water is a primary component and is often displayed in a variety of ways.
“We don’t do projects like this all the time,” says Breck Gastinger, who worked with the principal architect, Thomas Woltz. “It was remarkable in terms of the high aspirations and what the Aga Khan wanted the University of Alberta to gain. It made the whole thing challenging and pretty unique.”
Eighteen months of construction ended last week. The public will be able to enter the gardens for the first time on June 29. A formal grand opening will be held in 2019.
The university sees the Aga Khan Garden as a catalyst toward better understanding and a boon to tourism. It believes it could attract 90,000 more visitors a year to its botanic site. Without it, the 240-acre parcel, which houses a research centre and alpine, Indigenous and Japanese gardens, has attracted about 70,000 visitors annually.
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“This is an evolutionary moment in the [botanic] garden’s history,” says Kerry Mulholland, the communications and marketing co-ordinator for the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.
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Workers put the finishing touches on the garden on June 20. It opens to the public on June 29.
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
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A 10-point star fountain in a resting area. Canadian stone was used as much as possible during construction.
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
Open this photo in gallery
Lit niches in the fountain system. Design elements were drawn from 16th-century Persian gardens and Islamic cultural treasures like India’s Taj Mahal and Egypt’s al-Azhar Park.
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
Edmonton’s Islamic garden is the 11th financed by the Aga Khan. He has enjoyed long friendships with Canada. He was made an honorary citizen in 2010, was invited to address Parliament in 2014, and opened the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa last year. He has also been awarded an honorary law degree by the University of Alberta.
Despite its harsh winter climate, he chose Edmonton as the garden site because of the city’s sizable Muslim community and its historical significance: It was home to Canada’s first mosque, built in 1938 by early Arab Muslim immigrants.
The history of Muslims in Canada can be traced back at least 125 years. Many landed on the East Coast at a young age and gradually migrated to Manitoba and Saskatchewan and other parts west. Once in Alberta, some forged a living as peddlers and storekeepers, while others became fur traders, cattlemen and hotel operators with business dealings that stretched into the Northwest Territories.
Fearing they would lose their culture and religion in their adopted country, the newcomers built the first mosque at a cost of $4,850 on a piece of donated land which is now about a kilometre from the downtown hockey rink that serves as the home of the NHL’s Oilers. The original structure has since been moved to a living history attraction called Fort Edmonton Park.
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June 9, 2009: The Aga Khan receives an honorary doctorate from University of Alberta chancellor Linda Hughes.
Ben Lemphers/ Epic Photography
The Aga Khan inherited the role of Imam to the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims from his grandfather more than a half-century ago. Far more than a cleric, he is the founder of an international aid organization and oversees a network of agencies that pour vast amounts of money into charities and projects that support social development and education in oft-neglected parts of the world.
He is now 81, and announced this unremitting gift to the University of Alberta nearly a decade ago. His hope at the time was that it would be revered for its aesthetic value while at the same time be a setting for learning more about Muslim culture.
“It is Islam viewed through the medium of a garden,” Arif Karmali, a commercial developer and a member of Edmonton’s Ismaili community, says during a weekday walk-through. There are a little over one million Muslims in Canada, and among them are an estimated 90,000 Ismailis. “No matter where you come from, you can appreciate the beauty of nature.”
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Commercial developer Arif Karmali calls the new garden ‘Islam viewed through the medium of a garden.’
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
Carved out of the forest, the Aga Khan Garden sits at the edge of a pond flanked by orchards where apples, apricots, cherries, pears and plums flourish. Seeds from fruit trees and plants in the wetlands will be gathered to provide stock for reclamation and remediation projects caused by mining in the oil sands.
“We are not just a pretty face,” Ms. Mulholland says. “Serious work is done here.”
More than 20,000 annuals and perennials, 10,000 plants, 3,000 shrubs and 500 trees were planted in the last year as part of the project. They were chosen for their colour, fragrance, texture and toughness.
“They have to be able to survive,” Ms. Mulholland says. “You can’t grow figs and pomegranates here.”
Mr. Gastinger says the design team relied on the advice of experts when it came to deciding on the array of plant species. The botanical garden was founded as a unit within the university’s faculty of agriculture in 1959 and has been the site of much research. There is a massive greenhouse on the property, a tropical showcase, herbs and sensory gardens.
“They know what works and what doesn’t,” Mr. Gastinger says.
Canadian stone was used as much as possible during construction. The majority of paving stones were fashioned from granite quarried in Quebec. Patterns were created by using similar stones with different finishes. The columns on an upper terrace, which offers magnificent views of the gardens below, were rendered out of Portuguese limestone, which was selected for its character and lighter complexion.
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A worker walks through pillars on the main terrace.
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
There are 20 stone columns, each 18 feet tall, topped by a colourful canvas. It is a visage that evokes an impression of a rising ancient ruin.
“There is no architecture like this anywhere in Alberta,” says Paul Swanson, the assistant communications co-ordinator for the botanic garden. “I don’t think there is anything near as ornate as this.”
Members of the local Muslim community have been recruited as docents and will offer visitors free interpretive tours.
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Kerry Mulholland, communications and marketing co-ordinator, and Arif Karmali walk along the boardwalk leading to the Islamic-inspired garden.
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
A garden tour starts with a walk through the woods along a meandering path beneath a canopy of trees. The sky and forest reflect off a pool of water.
There are stepped terraces intersected by irrigation channels and pathways, fountains that produce a bare trickle and one cascading waterfall. There are sunken gardens full of purple and white irises, crimson and white petunias and Asiatic lilies. Life-sized frogs, salamanders and toads cast in bronze perch around the edge of a man-made stream, and steel replicas of walleye and sturgeon rest motionless in the shallows. A sweet fragrance emanates from creamy white roses, and the smell of mulch fills the air.
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A series of sunken gardens and plantings in the central court.
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
Bees go about the business of pollinating, butterflies flit around like kites steered in the breeze. Dragonflies zip over the pond where orchards are planted on both sides. A sandpiper returns to a nest hidden by a cover of flowers.
There will be tulips in next spring and a two-storey pavilion adjacent to the garden’s central courtyard is scheduled to open next year. There is space for music programs, lectures receptions and movie nights in an amphitheatre created from a natural earthen bowl. Mr. Karmali says local Muslims hope it can be used to lure Muslim entertainers that have previously skipped over Edmonton while travelling between gigs in Toronto and Vancouver.
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The amphitheatre, surrounded by a natural bowl of trees.
JASON FRANSON/The Globe and Mail
The Aga Khan envisioned all of this during that visit to the botanic gardens so many years ago. He liked the site so much that he scrapped plans to build the garden elsewhere.
“Our hope is that this will help us break down barriers,” Mr. Karmali says. “Islam is not just what people read about in the news. There is so much depth to it. We hope people visit and start to inquire.
“This isn’t political and it isn’t religious. It is just a garden. A beautiful garden.”
On Sunday, a picnic was arranged at the Aga Khan Garden as a thank you to the contractors that have worked on the project. Masons and other labourers, a lunch-box crowd, basked in the beauty around them.
“It is one thing to see the place empty and another thing to see people discovering it and enjoying it,” Mr. Gastinger says. “It was pretty remarkable.”
Diamond-jubilee in the News
PM meets His Highness the Aga Khan: 27 June 2018
The Prime Minister hosted His Highness the Aga Khan at 10 Downing Street.
“This afternoon the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with His Highness the Aga Khan.
“She congratulated him on his longstanding leadership of the Ismaili community and on his visit to the UK as part of his Diamond Jubilee tour.
“The Prime Minister thanked His Highness the Aga Khan for his foundation’s activities around the world to improve understanding of Islam as a peaceful and tolerant religion. She also thanked him for his support of the UK government’s agendas on integration and improving understanding of Muslim cultures.
“The Prime Minister welcomed the educational and cultural contribution to the UK made by the Aga Khan’s institutions, demonstrated by the new Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross. She also commended the vital work being done between the Department for International Development and the Aga Khan Foundation to deliver girls’ educational programmes in Central Asia, Tanzania and Afghanistan.
“Finally, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental right, and confirmed her interest in working with His Highness the Aga Khan and other faith leaders to promote better respect, collaboration and tolerance between religious communities internationally.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-m ... -june-2018
The Prime Minister hosted His Highness the Aga Khan at 10 Downing Street.
“This afternoon the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with His Highness the Aga Khan.
“She congratulated him on his longstanding leadership of the Ismaili community and on his visit to the UK as part of his Diamond Jubilee tour.
“The Prime Minister thanked His Highness the Aga Khan for his foundation’s activities around the world to improve understanding of Islam as a peaceful and tolerant religion. She also thanked him for his support of the UK government’s agendas on integration and improving understanding of Muslim cultures.
“The Prime Minister welcomed the educational and cultural contribution to the UK made by the Aga Khan’s institutions, demonstrated by the new Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross. She also commended the vital work being done between the Department for International Development and the Aga Khan Foundation to deliver girls’ educational programmes in Central Asia, Tanzania and Afghanistan.
“Finally, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental right, and confirmed her interest in working with His Highness the Aga Khan and other faith leaders to promote better respect, collaboration and tolerance between religious communities internationally.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-m ... -june-2018
Press release
UK welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan for the opening of new academic centre in London
FCO Minister Lord Ahmad attends official opening of the new Aga Khan Centre.
Foreign Office Minister for Human Rights Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon attended the official opening of the new Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross today (26 June) as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour of His Highness the Aga Khan.
The centre is a positive symbol of diversity, cross-cultural learning and shows Britain as a multicultural, multi-faith and tolerant nation.
The new development will be home to institutions and agencies including those of the non-profit Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international agencies dedicated to improving the quality of life in in the poorest countries of the world.
The UK Government works closely with the AKDN in Central Asia and Tanzania, as well as in Afghanistan where the Aga Khan Foundation implement Department for International Development (DfID) programmes including delivering an education programme under the Girls’ Education Challenge.
Speaking at the opening, Lord Tariq Ahmad said:
More....
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-w ... -in-london
UK welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan for the opening of new academic centre in London
FCO Minister Lord Ahmad attends official opening of the new Aga Khan Centre.
Foreign Office Minister for Human Rights Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon attended the official opening of the new Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross today (26 June) as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour of His Highness the Aga Khan.
The centre is a positive symbol of diversity, cross-cultural learning and shows Britain as a multicultural, multi-faith and tolerant nation.
The new development will be home to institutions and agencies including those of the non-profit Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international agencies dedicated to improving the quality of life in in the poorest countries of the world.
The UK Government works closely with the AKDN in Central Asia and Tanzania, as well as in Afghanistan where the Aga Khan Foundation implement Department for International Development (DfID) programmes including delivering an education programme under the Girls’ Education Challenge.
Speaking at the opening, Lord Tariq Ahmad said:
More....
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-w ... -in-london
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-m ... -june-2018
News story
PM meets His Highness the Aga Khan: 27 June 2018
The Prime Minister hosted His Highness the Aga Khan at 10 Downing Street.
Published 27 June 2018
From:
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Theresa May MP
This afternoon the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with His Highness the Aga Khan.
She congratulated him on his longstanding leadership of the Ismaili community and on his visit to the UK as part of his Diamond Jubilee tour.
The Prime Minister thanked His Highness the Aga Khan for his foundation’s activities around the world to improve understanding of Islam as a peaceful and tolerant religion. She also thanked him for his support of the UK government’s agendas on integration and improving understanding of Muslim cultures.
The Prime Minister welcomed the educational and cultural contribution to the UK made by the Aga Khan’s institutions, demonstrated by the new Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross. She also commended the vital work being done between the Department for International Development and the Aga Khan Foundation to deliver girls’ educational programmes in Central Asia, Tanzania and Afghanistan.
Finally, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental right, and confirmed her interest in working with His Highness the Aga Khan and other faith leaders to promote better respect, collaboration and tolerance between religious communities internationally.
News story
PM meets His Highness the Aga Khan: 27 June 2018
The Prime Minister hosted His Highness the Aga Khan at 10 Downing Street.
Published 27 June 2018
From:
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Theresa May MP
This afternoon the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with His Highness the Aga Khan.
She congratulated him on his longstanding leadership of the Ismaili community and on his visit to the UK as part of his Diamond Jubilee tour.
The Prime Minister thanked His Highness the Aga Khan for his foundation’s activities around the world to improve understanding of Islam as a peaceful and tolerant religion. She also thanked him for his support of the UK government’s agendas on integration and improving understanding of Muslim cultures.
The Prime Minister welcomed the educational and cultural contribution to the UK made by the Aga Khan’s institutions, demonstrated by the new Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross. She also commended the vital work being done between the Department for International Development and the Aga Khan Foundation to deliver girls’ educational programmes in Central Asia, Tanzania and Afghanistan.
Finally, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental right, and confirmed her interest in working with His Highness the Aga Khan and other faith leaders to promote better respect, collaboration and tolerance between religious communities internationally.
Mawlana Hazar Imam meets with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Mawlana Hazar Imam met with Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday at 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister, following a luncheon hosted by senior government officials.
During the meeting, Prime Minister May emphasised the importance of ongoing collaboration between the Ismaili Imamat, the Aga Khan Development Network, the Ismaili community and various departments of the UK government to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged communities around the world.
“Our partnership with the Ismaili Imamat has had a positive impact on livelihoods and living conditions in some of the poorest and most isolated parts of the world,” said Prime Minister May at the meeting. “We are delighted that His Highness has invested in London as the home of higher education institutions which are doing important work to improve our understanding of the history and cultures of Muslim civilisations.”
These higher education institutions include the Institute for Ismaili Studies as well as the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, both of which will be housed in the Aga Khan Centre, which was inaugurated the previous day by Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Prince of Wales at King’s Cross, in the heart of London’s thriving Knowledge Quarter. The Aga Khan Foundation’s UK offices will also be housed at the new Centre.
Mawlana Hazar Imam thanked Mrs May and noted that he looked forward to strengthening the partnership between Imamat institutions and those of the United Kingdom. The UK has long been a leader in the field of development working in partnership in areas such as girls education where they are impacting not only young people today but the generations to come. For over forty years, institutions of the Ismaili Imamat have contributed actively to the fabric of British civil society and its rich heritage of academic endeavour and international development, while fulfilling an international mandate which has a far reaching, global impact.
Earlier in the day, Mawlana Hazar Imam attended a luncheon at Lancaster House in honour of his Diamond Jubilee, hosted on behalf of the government, by the UK’s Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities, The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt.
Mawlana Hazar Imam thanked the Secretary of State and the UK government for the ongoing collaboration on common goals in both the United Kingdom and around the world.
Hazar Imam cited partnerships with the UK government in strengthening civil society as a foundational part of the relationship between the two organisations. Both parties expressed an openness to continue working together and deepening collaboration, particularly in the areas of early childhood education, entrepreneurship and access to finance, and community governance.
AKDN institutions and the UK government have a long history of cooperation around the world, dating back to the 19th century. The Aga Khan Foundation, works to improve the quality of life for some of the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and Asia.
The Foundation’s approach to community-led programming in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, and East Africa, has been adopted by governments, development agencies, and NGOs across the developing world.
Photos at:
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar- ... ed-kingdom
Mawlana Hazar Imam met with Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday at 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister, following a luncheon hosted by senior government officials.
During the meeting, Prime Minister May emphasised the importance of ongoing collaboration between the Ismaili Imamat, the Aga Khan Development Network, the Ismaili community and various departments of the UK government to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged communities around the world.
“Our partnership with the Ismaili Imamat has had a positive impact on livelihoods and living conditions in some of the poorest and most isolated parts of the world,” said Prime Minister May at the meeting. “We are delighted that His Highness has invested in London as the home of higher education institutions which are doing important work to improve our understanding of the history and cultures of Muslim civilisations.”
These higher education institutions include the Institute for Ismaili Studies as well as the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, both of which will be housed in the Aga Khan Centre, which was inaugurated the previous day by Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Prince of Wales at King’s Cross, in the heart of London’s thriving Knowledge Quarter. The Aga Khan Foundation’s UK offices will also be housed at the new Centre.
Mawlana Hazar Imam thanked Mrs May and noted that he looked forward to strengthening the partnership between Imamat institutions and those of the United Kingdom. The UK has long been a leader in the field of development working in partnership in areas such as girls education where they are impacting not only young people today but the generations to come. For over forty years, institutions of the Ismaili Imamat have contributed actively to the fabric of British civil society and its rich heritage of academic endeavour and international development, while fulfilling an international mandate which has a far reaching, global impact.
Earlier in the day, Mawlana Hazar Imam attended a luncheon at Lancaster House in honour of his Diamond Jubilee, hosted on behalf of the government, by the UK’s Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities, The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt.
Mawlana Hazar Imam thanked the Secretary of State and the UK government for the ongoing collaboration on common goals in both the United Kingdom and around the world.
Hazar Imam cited partnerships with the UK government in strengthening civil society as a foundational part of the relationship between the two organisations. Both parties expressed an openness to continue working together and deepening collaboration, particularly in the areas of early childhood education, entrepreneurship and access to finance, and community governance.
AKDN institutions and the UK government have a long history of cooperation around the world, dating back to the 19th century. The Aga Khan Foundation, works to improve the quality of life for some of the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and Asia.
The Foundation’s approach to community-led programming in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, and East Africa, has been adopted by governments, development agencies, and NGOs across the developing world.
Photos at:
https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar- ... ed-kingdom
UK Government welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee
Event underscores deep partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and the UK Government and a shared commitment to inclusive international development.
London, United Kingdom, 27 June 2018 - The UK Government today welcomed His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims at Lancaster House. The Luncheon was hosted by the UK’s Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt, in honour of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee.
The event commemorated decades of partnership between the UK Government and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) - the global network founded by His Highness. It was attended by the Aga Khan; senior leaders from the AKDN, the Ismaili community and the UK Government.
The AKDN and the UK Government have partnered in numerous joint projects designed to help improve the quality of life for people around the world, in areas including girls’ education, community development, clean energy, financial inclusion and conflict resolution.
More...
http://www.akdn.org/press-release/uk-go ... nd-jubilee
Event underscores deep partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and the UK Government and a shared commitment to inclusive international development.
London, United Kingdom, 27 June 2018 - The UK Government today welcomed His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims at Lancaster House. The Luncheon was hosted by the UK’s Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt, in honour of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee.
The event commemorated decades of partnership between the UK Government and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) - the global network founded by His Highness. It was attended by the Aga Khan; senior leaders from the AKDN, the Ismaili community and the UK Government.
The AKDN and the UK Government have partnered in numerous joint projects designed to help improve the quality of life for people around the world, in areas including girls’ education, community development, clean energy, financial inclusion and conflict resolution.
More...
http://www.akdn.org/press-release/uk-go ... nd-jubilee
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/06/29/fumih ... ngs-cross/
Fumihiko Maki unveils Aga Khan Centre in London's King's Cross
Tom Ravenscroft
Pritzker Prize-winner Fumihiko Maki has completed an educational centre, with a series of roof spaces, terraces and courtyards that contain eight Islamic gardens, for the Aga Khan Foundation.
The nine storey block, which stands next to a millennial-pink office designed by Duggan Morris, is the latest building to be completed as part of the development of King's Cross, London
Containing facilities for research and education, as well as offices for the Aga Khan Foundation's development organisations, the building is arranged around a central atrium that stretches its full-height.
The design also incorporates eight Islamic gardens located alongside the building, and on roof gardens, terraces and courtyards inside the educational centre.
The gardens and terraces take inspiration from Islamic communities around the world, including those in North Africa, Spain, the Middle East, Iran and India
"This place [King's Cross] has been shaped by many diverse influences – and among them we now welcome the rich traditions of Islamic architecture," said His Highness the Aga Khan, at the building's opening.
"One of those traditions– one that is appreciated by both the Islamic and the British cultures – is the special importance of the garden," continued the Aga Khan. "We see the garden not merely as an adjunct to other constructions, but as a privileged space unto itself."
The building contains six outdoor spaces, with a further two Islamic gardens nearby in King's Cross, which all have a distinct identity inspired by different regions in the Islamic world.
"Taken together, this winding ribbon of special spaces is an eloquent tribute to the rich diversity of the Muslim world," continued the Aga Khan.
The ground floor contains the reception area and a gallery, with the eduction spaces including the staff and student lounges and seminar rooms on the two floors above.
The first floor contains an outdoor space called the Garden of Tranquillity, which is arranged around a central fountain and overlooks the neighbouring Jellicoe Gardens.
The Aga Khan Library, which contain secure storage facilities for rare books and manuscripts, is spread across the third and fourth floor. The library's upper level contains the Terrace of Learning – the second Islamic garden – which took its inspiration from the cloisters and courtyards of Spain, Morocco and Egypt.
Above the library are four floors of offices for the Aga Khan's education and development organisations: the Institute of Ismaili Studies, the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations and the Aga Khan Foundation UK.
"My strong expectation is that, from this new home, our education-oriented institutions will contribute powerfully to building new bridges of understanding across the gulfs of ignorance," said the Aga Khan.
"As that happens, one important source of inspiration will be the place from which these institutions will be working - and that brings us to the second value I mentioned earlier - the inspiring power of architecture."
The Aga Khan Foundation was established in 1967 by the Aga Khan, who is the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, to improve the quality of life and enhance self-reliance in Asia and Africa.
The foundation organises the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which is one of the world's most lucrative architecture prizes. Winners in 2016 included Zaha Hadid and BIG.
Maki has previously designed two buildings for the foundation in Canada, its offices in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. The architect has also designed a V&A-backed design museum in Shenzhen.
Project credits:
Architect: Maki & Associates, led by Fumihiko Maki
Executive Architect: Allies and Morrison
Terrace of Discovery, Courtyard of Harmony, Terrace of Learning, Garden of Tranquillity design: Maki & Associates
Garden of Life design: Madison Cox
Garden of Light design: Nelson Byrd Woltz
Main Contractor: BAM Construct UK
Cost Consultant: Gardiner & Theobald
Employer's Agent: Gardiner & Theobald
Structural Engineer: Expedition
Building Services Engineer: Arup
Lighting Designs: Arup
Fumihiko Maki unveils Aga Khan Centre in London's King's Cross
Tom Ravenscroft
Pritzker Prize-winner Fumihiko Maki has completed an educational centre, with a series of roof spaces, terraces and courtyards that contain eight Islamic gardens, for the Aga Khan Foundation.
The nine storey block, which stands next to a millennial-pink office designed by Duggan Morris, is the latest building to be completed as part of the development of King's Cross, London
Containing facilities for research and education, as well as offices for the Aga Khan Foundation's development organisations, the building is arranged around a central atrium that stretches its full-height.
The design also incorporates eight Islamic gardens located alongside the building, and on roof gardens, terraces and courtyards inside the educational centre.
The gardens and terraces take inspiration from Islamic communities around the world, including those in North Africa, Spain, the Middle East, Iran and India
"This place [King's Cross] has been shaped by many diverse influences – and among them we now welcome the rich traditions of Islamic architecture," said His Highness the Aga Khan, at the building's opening.
"One of those traditions– one that is appreciated by both the Islamic and the British cultures – is the special importance of the garden," continued the Aga Khan. "We see the garden not merely as an adjunct to other constructions, but as a privileged space unto itself."
The building contains six outdoor spaces, with a further two Islamic gardens nearby in King's Cross, which all have a distinct identity inspired by different regions in the Islamic world.
"Taken together, this winding ribbon of special spaces is an eloquent tribute to the rich diversity of the Muslim world," continued the Aga Khan.
The ground floor contains the reception area and a gallery, with the eduction spaces including the staff and student lounges and seminar rooms on the two floors above.
The first floor contains an outdoor space called the Garden of Tranquillity, which is arranged around a central fountain and overlooks the neighbouring Jellicoe Gardens.
The Aga Khan Library, which contain secure storage facilities for rare books and manuscripts, is spread across the third and fourth floor. The library's upper level contains the Terrace of Learning – the second Islamic garden – which took its inspiration from the cloisters and courtyards of Spain, Morocco and Egypt.
Above the library are four floors of offices for the Aga Khan's education and development organisations: the Institute of Ismaili Studies, the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations and the Aga Khan Foundation UK.
"My strong expectation is that, from this new home, our education-oriented institutions will contribute powerfully to building new bridges of understanding across the gulfs of ignorance," said the Aga Khan.
"As that happens, one important source of inspiration will be the place from which these institutions will be working - and that brings us to the second value I mentioned earlier - the inspiring power of architecture."
The Aga Khan Foundation was established in 1967 by the Aga Khan, who is the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, to improve the quality of life and enhance self-reliance in Asia and Africa.
The foundation organises the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which is one of the world's most lucrative architecture prizes. Winners in 2016 included Zaha Hadid and BIG.
Maki has previously designed two buildings for the foundation in Canada, its offices in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. The architect has also designed a V&A-backed design museum in Shenzhen.
Project credits:
Architect: Maki & Associates, led by Fumihiko Maki
Executive Architect: Allies and Morrison
Terrace of Discovery, Courtyard of Harmony, Terrace of Learning, Garden of Tranquillity design: Maki & Associates
Garden of Life design: Madison Cox
Garden of Light design: Nelson Byrd Woltz
Main Contractor: BAM Construct UK
Cost Consultant: Gardiner & Theobald
Employer's Agent: Gardiner & Theobald
Structural Engineer: Expedition
Building Services Engineer: Arup
Lighting Designs: Arup
Aga Khan in Lisbon with State Honors
https://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2018 ... gs.pPiIcAY
A Google translated article.
Prince Karim Aga Khan's official visit to Portugal will last six days from July 6 to 12 and will bring to the country's capital more than 45,000 people of his faith to celebrate his 60 years of leadership of the Ismaili community in the world. . 15 million Ismaili Muslims will be connected to Lisbon, a city where the headquarters of Imamato is about to open, in the Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, located on Rua Marquês de Fronteira and already underway.
Aga Khan will be staying in a hotel in the capital and will be received with State honors first by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in the Palace of Belém. Then, on the morning of the 9th, the prince and his delegation will meet with the PR in camera, with the right to a press conference in Sala das Bicas. Not without before Aga Khan receive military honors. Leaving Belem at lunchtime, the Ismaili leader will continue to Palacio Foz, in the Restauradores, for a luncheon with the prime minister, António Costa. The night, however, will be spent in Queluz, at a banquet offered to the prince by the President of the Republic.
More...
https://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2018 ... gs.pPiIcAY
https://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2018 ... gs.pPiIcAY
A Google translated article.
Prince Karim Aga Khan's official visit to Portugal will last six days from July 6 to 12 and will bring to the country's capital more than 45,000 people of his faith to celebrate his 60 years of leadership of the Ismaili community in the world. . 15 million Ismaili Muslims will be connected to Lisbon, a city where the headquarters of Imamato is about to open, in the Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, located on Rua Marquês de Fronteira and already underway.
Aga Khan will be staying in a hotel in the capital and will be received with State honors first by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in the Palace of Belém. Then, on the morning of the 9th, the prince and his delegation will meet with the PR in camera, with the right to a press conference in Sala das Bicas. Not without before Aga Khan receive military honors. Leaving Belem at lunchtime, the Ismaili leader will continue to Palacio Foz, in the Restauradores, for a luncheon with the prime minister, António Costa. The night, however, will be spent in Queluz, at a banquet offered to the prince by the President of the Republic.
More...
https://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2018 ... gs.pPiIcAY
Via google translate: "Prince Karim Aga Khan's official visit to Portugal will last six days from July 6 to 12 and will bring to the country's capital more than 45,000 people of his faith to celebrate his 60 years of leadership of the Ismaili community in the world. . 15 million Ismaili Muslims will be connected to Lisbon, a city where the headquarters of Imamato is about to open, in the Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, located on Rua Marquês de Fronteira and already underway.
Aga Khan will be staying in a hotel in the capital and will be received with State honors first by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in the Palace of Belém. Then, on the morning of the 9th, the prince and his delegation will meet with the PR in camera, with the right to a press conference in Sala das Bicas. Not without before Aga Khan receive military honors. Leaving Belem at lunchtime, the Ismaili leader will continue to Palacio Foz, in the Restauradores, for a luncheon with the prime minister, António Costa. The night, however, will be spent in Queluz, at a banquet offered to the prince by the President of the Republic.
The next day, it will be the turn of the speeches in the Assembly of the Republic, where Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues opens the exhibition "Ideals of Leadership: Masterpieces from the Aga Khan Museum Collection". A lunch follows.
Aga Khan will spend the afternoon of the 10th to visit the palace that will be the future headquarters of Imamato Ismaelita and dedicate the rest of the time to its faithful, both in ceremonies with the community leaders and in private religious ceremonies at the Lisbon International Fair .
On the last day, the prince will be at the Ismaili Center in Lisbon, where he will receive the visit of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, as well as the 16 researchers who already work under the protocol signed between Imamato and that ministry.
During the visit of Aga Khan Lisbon will be in celebration. The cultural program that accompanies the stay of the prince and the closing of his Diamond Jubilee starts on the 5th at night with the performance of Cuca Rosetta and Cheb Khaled at the Altice Arena in the Parque das Nações. In addition, there will be several concerts and exhibitions. "
http://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2018- ... gs.dTHJlRo
Aga Khan will be staying in a hotel in the capital and will be received with State honors first by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in the Palace of Belém. Then, on the morning of the 9th, the prince and his delegation will meet with the PR in camera, with the right to a press conference in Sala das Bicas. Not without before Aga Khan receive military honors. Leaving Belem at lunchtime, the Ismaili leader will continue to Palacio Foz, in the Restauradores, for a luncheon with the prime minister, António Costa. The night, however, will be spent in Queluz, at a banquet offered to the prince by the President of the Republic.
The next day, it will be the turn of the speeches in the Assembly of the Republic, where Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues opens the exhibition "Ideals of Leadership: Masterpieces from the Aga Khan Museum Collection". A lunch follows.
Aga Khan will spend the afternoon of the 10th to visit the palace that will be the future headquarters of Imamato Ismaelita and dedicate the rest of the time to its faithful, both in ceremonies with the community leaders and in private religious ceremonies at the Lisbon International Fair .
On the last day, the prince will be at the Ismaili Center in Lisbon, where he will receive the visit of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, as well as the 16 researchers who already work under the protocol signed between Imamato and that ministry.
During the visit of Aga Khan Lisbon will be in celebration. The cultural program that accompanies the stay of the prince and the closing of his Diamond Jubilee starts on the 5th at night with the performance of Cuca Rosetta and Cheb Khaled at the Altice Arena in the Parque das Nações. In addition, there will be several concerts and exhibitions. "
http://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2018- ... gs.dTHJlRo
https://sol.sapo.pt/artigo/618143/princ ... e-diamante
English Google Translate follows Portuguese text
Tatiana Costa
5 de julho 2018
Príncipe Aga Khan está em Portugal para celebrar jubileu de diamante
O líder espiritual da comunidade muçulmana ismaelita, o príncipe Aga Khan, escolheu Lisboa para acolher as celebrações do seu jubileu de diamante - 60 anos à frente da comunidade.
O programa das celebrações - que começou ontem à noite com os concertos de Cuca Roseta e Cheb Khaled e se estende até à próxima quarta-feira, dia 11 de julho - irá trazer até à capital 45 mil fiéis. O plano de comemorações conta também com várias exposições e encontros oficiais.
No dia 9 de julho, o multimilionário vai encontrar-se com António Costa para um almoço e, mais tarde, irá a Belém para ser recebido pelo Presidente da República, seguindo-se um jantar com Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
No dia seguinte, o líder da comunidade muçulmana ismaelita vai visitar a Assembleia da República e irá discursar na Sala do Senado. No dia 11, a Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), no Parque das Nações, receberá os 45 mil fiéis para uma cerimónia religiosa. Ainda nesse dia, o príncipe Aga Khan irá visitar o Palacete Henrique de Mendonça.
O programa da sua passagem pelo nosso país só será encerrado no dia 12, com Aga Khan a reunir-se com o ministro da Ciência, Manuel Heitor, e os 16 bolseiros que estão a desenvolver os primeiros projetos aprovados no âmbito de um acordo assinado com o governo que pretende atribuir 10 milhões de euros em bolsas a investigadores.
As celebrações do jubileu de diamante vão afetar a circulação do trânsito no Parque das Nações, Lisboa, onde estão a decorrer as comemorações previstas - o programa está a ter lugar na Altice Arena, na FIL e na antiga Praça Sony, a partir das 8h.
A comunidade muçulmana ismaelita em Portugal
O príncipe tornou-se líder da comunidade muçulmana ismaelita a 11 de julho de 1957, depois de ter sido o escolhido em testamento pelo seu avô, que ocupou o lugar durante 20 anos.
Esta comunidade religiosa é constituída por cerca de 15 milhões de fiéis, dos quais sete mil vivem em Portugal. Esta ligação de proximidade com o nosso país deveu-se à presença da comunidade religiosa em Moçambique. Nos últimos anos, este vínculo tem vindo a ser reforçado através da Fundação Aga Khan. Em 2015 foi anunciada a vinda da sede mundial da comunidade ismaelita para Portugal e, no ano passado, o príncipe Aga Khan doou meio milhão de euros para ajudar a reconstruir Pedrógão Grande, após os incêndios que assolaram o concelho no verão.
Depois das comemorações deste ano, Portugal acolhe em 2019 a primeira cerimónia dos prémios de música da Fundação Aga Khan.
----------------------------------
Translation:
The spiritual leader of the Muslim Ismaili community, Prince Aga Khan, chose Lisbon to host the celebrations of his diamond jubilee - 60 years at the head of the community.
The program of celebrations - which began last night with the concerts of Cuca Rosetta and Cheb Khaled and extends until next Wednesday, July 11 - will bring to the capital 45,000 faithful. The plan of celebrations also counts on several expositions and official meetings.
On July 9, the multimillionaire will meet Antonio Costa for a lunch and later he will go to Belém to be received by the President of the Republic, followed by a dinner with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The next day, the leader of the Ismaili Muslim community will visit the Assembly of the Republic and will speak in the Senate Room. On the 11th, the Lisbon International Fair (FIL) in Parque das Nações will host the 45,000 faithful for a religious ceremony. Later that day, Prince Aga Khan will visit the Palacete Henrique de Mendonça.
The program of its passage through our country will only be closed on the 12th, with Aga Khan meeting with the Minister of Science, Manuel Heitor, and the 16 fellows who are developing the first projects approved under an agreement signed with the government intends to allocate 10 million euros in scholarships to researchers.
The diamond jubilee celebrations will affect traffic flow in Parque das Nações, Lisbon, where the celebrations are taking place - the program is taking place at Altice Arena, FIL and the old Sony Square, starting at 8am.
The Ismaili Muslim community in Portugal
The prince became leader of the Muslim Ismaili community on July 11, 1957, after being chosen in testament by his grandfather, who held the post for 20 years.
This religious community is made up of about 15 million faithful, of whom seven thousand live in Portugal. This close connection with our country was due to the presence of the religious community in Mozambique. In recent years, this link has been strengthened through the Aga Khan Foundation. In 2015, the world headquarters of the Ismaili community was announced for Portugal, and last year Prince Aga Khan donated half a million euros to help rebuild Pedrógão Grande after the fires that devastated the county in the summer.
Following this year's celebrations, Portugal hosts the first Aga Khan Foundation music awards ceremony in 2019.
English Google Translate follows Portuguese text
Tatiana Costa
5 de julho 2018
Príncipe Aga Khan está em Portugal para celebrar jubileu de diamante
O líder espiritual da comunidade muçulmana ismaelita, o príncipe Aga Khan, escolheu Lisboa para acolher as celebrações do seu jubileu de diamante - 60 anos à frente da comunidade.
O programa das celebrações - que começou ontem à noite com os concertos de Cuca Roseta e Cheb Khaled e se estende até à próxima quarta-feira, dia 11 de julho - irá trazer até à capital 45 mil fiéis. O plano de comemorações conta também com várias exposições e encontros oficiais.
No dia 9 de julho, o multimilionário vai encontrar-se com António Costa para um almoço e, mais tarde, irá a Belém para ser recebido pelo Presidente da República, seguindo-se um jantar com Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
No dia seguinte, o líder da comunidade muçulmana ismaelita vai visitar a Assembleia da República e irá discursar na Sala do Senado. No dia 11, a Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), no Parque das Nações, receberá os 45 mil fiéis para uma cerimónia religiosa. Ainda nesse dia, o príncipe Aga Khan irá visitar o Palacete Henrique de Mendonça.
O programa da sua passagem pelo nosso país só será encerrado no dia 12, com Aga Khan a reunir-se com o ministro da Ciência, Manuel Heitor, e os 16 bolseiros que estão a desenvolver os primeiros projetos aprovados no âmbito de um acordo assinado com o governo que pretende atribuir 10 milhões de euros em bolsas a investigadores.
As celebrações do jubileu de diamante vão afetar a circulação do trânsito no Parque das Nações, Lisboa, onde estão a decorrer as comemorações previstas - o programa está a ter lugar na Altice Arena, na FIL e na antiga Praça Sony, a partir das 8h.
A comunidade muçulmana ismaelita em Portugal
O príncipe tornou-se líder da comunidade muçulmana ismaelita a 11 de julho de 1957, depois de ter sido o escolhido em testamento pelo seu avô, que ocupou o lugar durante 20 anos.
Esta comunidade religiosa é constituída por cerca de 15 milhões de fiéis, dos quais sete mil vivem em Portugal. Esta ligação de proximidade com o nosso país deveu-se à presença da comunidade religiosa em Moçambique. Nos últimos anos, este vínculo tem vindo a ser reforçado através da Fundação Aga Khan. Em 2015 foi anunciada a vinda da sede mundial da comunidade ismaelita para Portugal e, no ano passado, o príncipe Aga Khan doou meio milhão de euros para ajudar a reconstruir Pedrógão Grande, após os incêndios que assolaram o concelho no verão.
Depois das comemorações deste ano, Portugal acolhe em 2019 a primeira cerimónia dos prémios de música da Fundação Aga Khan.
----------------------------------
Translation:
The spiritual leader of the Muslim Ismaili community, Prince Aga Khan, chose Lisbon to host the celebrations of his diamond jubilee - 60 years at the head of the community.
The program of celebrations - which began last night with the concerts of Cuca Rosetta and Cheb Khaled and extends until next Wednesday, July 11 - will bring to the capital 45,000 faithful. The plan of celebrations also counts on several expositions and official meetings.
On July 9, the multimillionaire will meet Antonio Costa for a lunch and later he will go to Belém to be received by the President of the Republic, followed by a dinner with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The next day, the leader of the Ismaili Muslim community will visit the Assembly of the Republic and will speak in the Senate Room. On the 11th, the Lisbon International Fair (FIL) in Parque das Nações will host the 45,000 faithful for a religious ceremony. Later that day, Prince Aga Khan will visit the Palacete Henrique de Mendonça.
The program of its passage through our country will only be closed on the 12th, with Aga Khan meeting with the Minister of Science, Manuel Heitor, and the 16 fellows who are developing the first projects approved under an agreement signed with the government intends to allocate 10 million euros in scholarships to researchers.
The diamond jubilee celebrations will affect traffic flow in Parque das Nações, Lisbon, where the celebrations are taking place - the program is taking place at Altice Arena, FIL and the old Sony Square, starting at 8am.
The Ismaili Muslim community in Portugal
The prince became leader of the Muslim Ismaili community on July 11, 1957, after being chosen in testament by his grandfather, who held the post for 20 years.
This religious community is made up of about 15 million faithful, of whom seven thousand live in Portugal. This close connection with our country was due to the presence of the religious community in Mozambique. In recent years, this link has been strengthened through the Aga Khan Foundation. In 2015, the world headquarters of the Ismaili community was announced for Portugal, and last year Prince Aga Khan donated half a million euros to help rebuild Pedrógão Grande after the fires that devastated the county in the summer.
Following this year's celebrations, Portugal hosts the first Aga Khan Foundation music awards ceremony in 2019.
Aga Khan arrives in Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal, 6 July 218 - His Highness the Aga Khan arrived in Portugal today for a visit commemorating his Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of leadership as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslim community. This visit, at the invitation of the Portuguese Government, represents the culmination of celebrations that have been undertaken worldwide since 11 July 2017 - 60 years to the day that he acceded to the office of the Ismaili Imamat in 1957 at the age of 20 years.
Over 40,000 people from the global Ismaili community will gather in Lisbon over the next week to commemorate this special occasion and to celebrate the Aga Khan’s commitment towards uplifting the lives of thousands of vulnerable communities, and promoting the values of peace and pluralism. Activities will include Jubilee concerts featuring world-renowned performers as well as artists from the Aga Khan Music Initiative; exhibitions; an international talent showcase featuring Ismailis from around the world; an international art gallery; a film festival, and a series of other celebrations.
More and photo and video at:
http://www.akdn.org/press-release/aga-k ... ves-lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal, 6 July 218 - His Highness the Aga Khan arrived in Portugal today for a visit commemorating his Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of leadership as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslim community. This visit, at the invitation of the Portuguese Government, represents the culmination of celebrations that have been undertaken worldwide since 11 July 2017 - 60 years to the day that he acceded to the office of the Ismaili Imamat in 1957 at the age of 20 years.
Over 40,000 people from the global Ismaili community will gather in Lisbon over the next week to commemorate this special occasion and to celebrate the Aga Khan’s commitment towards uplifting the lives of thousands of vulnerable communities, and promoting the values of peace and pluralism. Activities will include Jubilee concerts featuring world-renowned performers as well as artists from the Aga Khan Music Initiative; exhibitions; an international talent showcase featuring Ismailis from around the world; an international art gallery; a film festival, and a series of other celebrations.
More and photo and video at:
http://www.akdn.org/press-release/aga-k ... ves-lisbon
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Portugal
At the invitation of the Government of Portugal, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon this afternoon to mark the conclusion of his Diamond Jubilee year, commemorating 60 years of his Imamat. Global celebrations began on 11 July 2017 and conclude over the next week at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
Upon his arrival at the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with military honours by the Air Base Commander and was greeted by state and government officials as well as leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
After departing the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam drove past Parque Eduardo VII where arrangements had been made for members of the Jamat to safely congregate and welcome him to Portugal.
Thousands of members of the Jamat from around the world rejoiced as Hazar Imam’s motorcade passed by Jardim Amália Rodrigues.
Sana Momin from Houston, USA said “It was great to see members of the Jamat coming together from all over the world. You could tell how excited everyone was. It made me realise how blessed I am to have this opportunity.”
During his visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam will meet with the Portugal jurisdiction Jamat, and grant a Darbar to the global Jamat assembled in Lisbon.
At the invitation of the Government of Portugal, Hazar Imam will meet with various government representatives and will engage in activities relating to initiatives of the Ismaili Imamat and the AKDN. Mawlana Hazar Imam will also address the Portuguese Parliament on 10 July.
In June 2015, the Ismaili Imamat signed a landmark agreement for the establishment of a Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal. This agreement, unanimously ratified by Portugal’s Parliament, will result in intensified cooperation between Portugal and the Ismaili Imamat in improving the quality of lives of the people in Portugal and elsewhere.
During the Diamond Jubilee year, Hazar Imam has visited Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. During each visit, Hazar Imam met with leaders of government, civil society, development organisations, and partners of the Network. These meetings have strengthened and expanded AKDN’s ability to improve the quality of life of those in the greatest areas of need.
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/maw ... s-portugal
At the invitation of the Government of Portugal, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon this afternoon to mark the conclusion of his Diamond Jubilee year, commemorating 60 years of his Imamat. Global celebrations began on 11 July 2017 and conclude over the next week at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon, Portugal.
Upon his arrival at the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with military honours by the Air Base Commander and was greeted by state and government officials as well as leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
After departing the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam drove past Parque Eduardo VII where arrangements had been made for members of the Jamat to safely congregate and welcome him to Portugal.
Thousands of members of the Jamat from around the world rejoiced as Hazar Imam’s motorcade passed by Jardim Amália Rodrigues.
Sana Momin from Houston, USA said “It was great to see members of the Jamat coming together from all over the world. You could tell how excited everyone was. It made me realise how blessed I am to have this opportunity.”
During his visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam will meet with the Portugal jurisdiction Jamat, and grant a Darbar to the global Jamat assembled in Lisbon.
At the invitation of the Government of Portugal, Hazar Imam will meet with various government representatives and will engage in activities relating to initiatives of the Ismaili Imamat and the AKDN. Mawlana Hazar Imam will also address the Portuguese Parliament on 10 July.
In June 2015, the Ismaili Imamat signed a landmark agreement for the establishment of a Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal. This agreement, unanimously ratified by Portugal’s Parliament, will result in intensified cooperation between Portugal and the Ismaili Imamat in improving the quality of lives of the people in Portugal and elsewhere.
During the Diamond Jubilee year, Hazar Imam has visited Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. During each visit, Hazar Imam met with leaders of government, civil society, development organisations, and partners of the Network. These meetings have strengthened and expanded AKDN’s ability to improve the quality of life of those in the greatest areas of need.
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/maw ... s-portugal
VIDEO: Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Portugal
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon this afternoon to mark the conclusion of his Diamond Jubilee year, commemorating 60 years of his Imamat. Upon his arrival at the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with military honours by the Air Base Commander and was greeted by state and government officials as well as leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network.
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/vid ... s-portugal
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon this afternoon to mark the conclusion of his Diamond Jubilee year, commemorating 60 years of his Imamat. Upon his arrival at the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with military honours by the Air Base Commander and was greeted by state and government officials as well as leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network.
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/vid ... s-portugal
TVI24 Interviews Ismailis from Around the World Receiving His Highness the Aga Khan in Lisbon
http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/videos/internac ... /iol/login
http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/videos/internac ... /iol/login
https://observador.pt/2018/07/09/antoni ... -aga-khan/
PHOTOS AFTER THE TEXT
António Costa
O momento de Costa com os príncipes Aga Khan
9/7/2018, 17:29
Primeiro-ministro posou para a fotografia com irmão Aga Khan e só depois com o líder. Assessores dizem que Costa e Amyn se conhecem há anos e que por isso quis posar ao lado do príncipe
António Costa fez uma receção calorosa ao príncipe Amyn Khan à chegada da comitiva ao Palácio Foz, em Lisboa. O primeiro-ministro abraçou-o, conversou e posou para a fotografia com o príncipe perante os jornalistas, num momento que se estendeu para além dos habituais cumprimentos de circunstância, o que deixou a comitiva do líder ismaelita irrequieta. Um dos membros colocou até a mão no braço de António Costa (visível nas fotografias captadas pelo Observador) a alertá-lo que o líder Aga Khan estava a chegar, mais atrás.
Costa conhece bem Amyn há vários anos, e pelas melhores razões: foi ele quem deu o maior donativo (200 mil euros) para que o quadro “A Adoração dos Magos”, do pintor português Domingos António Sequeira (1768-1837), ficasse em Portugal, no Museu de Arte Antiga. O príncipe doou também 100 mil euros para a rearborização da Mata de Leiria.
Após a foto de Costa com o príncipe, a comitiva de Aga Khan abriu rapidamente alas para o líder seguir para a frente do grupo e António Costa tirou a fotografia com o convidado de honra – Aga Khan. Alguns jornalistas no local ficaram com a perceção de que nas primeiras imagens, Costa tinha posado por lapso. Mas não. O primeiro-ministro queria mesmo uma fotografia de Estado ao lado de Amyn.
Nesta primeira fotografia, é possível ver Costa a ser avisado da chegada de Aga Khan.
PHOTOS AFTER THE TEXT
António Costa
O momento de Costa com os príncipes Aga Khan
9/7/2018, 17:29
Primeiro-ministro posou para a fotografia com irmão Aga Khan e só depois com o líder. Assessores dizem que Costa e Amyn se conhecem há anos e que por isso quis posar ao lado do príncipe
António Costa fez uma receção calorosa ao príncipe Amyn Khan à chegada da comitiva ao Palácio Foz, em Lisboa. O primeiro-ministro abraçou-o, conversou e posou para a fotografia com o príncipe perante os jornalistas, num momento que se estendeu para além dos habituais cumprimentos de circunstância, o que deixou a comitiva do líder ismaelita irrequieta. Um dos membros colocou até a mão no braço de António Costa (visível nas fotografias captadas pelo Observador) a alertá-lo que o líder Aga Khan estava a chegar, mais atrás.
Costa conhece bem Amyn há vários anos, e pelas melhores razões: foi ele quem deu o maior donativo (200 mil euros) para que o quadro “A Adoração dos Magos”, do pintor português Domingos António Sequeira (1768-1837), ficasse em Portugal, no Museu de Arte Antiga. O príncipe doou também 100 mil euros para a rearborização da Mata de Leiria.
Após a foto de Costa com o príncipe, a comitiva de Aga Khan abriu rapidamente alas para o líder seguir para a frente do grupo e António Costa tirou a fotografia com o convidado de honra – Aga Khan. Alguns jornalistas no local ficaram com a perceção de que nas primeiras imagens, Costa tinha posado por lapso. Mas não. O primeiro-ministro queria mesmo uma fotografia de Estado ao lado de Amyn.
Nesta primeira fotografia, é possível ver Costa a ser avisado da chegada de Aga Khan.
Mawlana Hazar Imam's address to Portuguese Parliament to be webcast live
On the historic occasion of his Diamond Jubilee visit to Portugal, Mawlana Hazar Imam will deliver an address to the Portuguese Parliament on Tuesday 10 July 2018. The address will be webcast live at https://the.ismaili/live starting at 11:45 AM Lisbon time.
The webcast will be broadcast in English and Portuguese (both below):
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/maw ... bcast-live
********
Portuguese Prime Minister hosts luncheon in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam
Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa lauded Mawlana Hazar Imam’s work during a luncheon hosted in his honour earlier today.
The luncheon at Lisbon’s Palácio Foz was one of a series of engagements for Mawlana Hazar Imam, who is visiting the country this week to mark the conclusion of his Diamond Jubilee year.
Prime Minister António Costa also invited the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva, the Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, and Prince Amyn to Monday’s luncheon, where he unveiled an official Diamond Jubilee commemorative postage stamp featuring the Diamond Jubilee motif.
Earlier in the day, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa hosted Hazar Imam at the presidential palace in Lisbon.
Hazar Imam will address the Portuguese parliament on Tuesday, which will be streamed live on https://the.ismaili/live at 11:45 AM Lisbon time.
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/por ... hazar-imam
*******
Portuguese president hosts Mawlana Hazar Imam at Presidential Palace
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa officially welcomed Mawlana Hazar Imam to Portugal on 9 July with full state honours at Palácio de Belém, the official residence of the President.
Before entering the presidential palace on Monday, Mawlana Hazar Imam and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa paused to observe the Portugal Army Band’s rendition of the Portuguese National Anthem and the Nashid al-Imamah.
During a one-to-one meeting, the two parties discussed areas of mutual cooperation.
President de Sousa will host a dinner in honour of Hazar Imam on Monday night. Portuguese government officials and leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network are expected to attend.
At their last meeting in July 2017, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decorated Mawlana Hazar Imam with the Grã-Cruz da Ordem da Liberdade — or Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty — in recognition of his service to uplifting lives around the world.
Hazar Imam arrived in Portugal on 6 July to attend events marking the conclusion of the Diamond Jubilee; a celebration of 60-years of his Imamat. While in Lisbon, he is also expected to address the Portuguese parliament on 10 July, which will be streamed live on https://the.ismaili/live at 11:45 AM Lisbon time.
This is a historic time for the Ismaili Muslim community. Thousands of Ismailis have travelled to Lisbon from far and wide to take part in festivities related to the end of the Diamond Jubilee.
https://the.ismaili/portuguese-presiden ... ial-palace
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On the historic occasion of his Diamond Jubilee visit to Portugal, Mawlana Hazar Imam will deliver an address to the Portuguese Parliament on Tuesday 10 July 2018. The address will be webcast live at https://the.ismaili/live starting at 11:45 AM Lisbon time.
The webcast will be broadcast in English and Portuguese (both below):
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/maw ... bcast-live
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Portuguese Prime Minister hosts luncheon in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam
Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa lauded Mawlana Hazar Imam’s work during a luncheon hosted in his honour earlier today.
The luncheon at Lisbon’s Palácio Foz was one of a series of engagements for Mawlana Hazar Imam, who is visiting the country this week to mark the conclusion of his Diamond Jubilee year.
Prime Minister António Costa also invited the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva, the Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, and Prince Amyn to Monday’s luncheon, where he unveiled an official Diamond Jubilee commemorative postage stamp featuring the Diamond Jubilee motif.
Earlier in the day, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa hosted Hazar Imam at the presidential palace in Lisbon.
Hazar Imam will address the Portuguese parliament on Tuesday, which will be streamed live on https://the.ismaili/live at 11:45 AM Lisbon time.
https://the.ismaili/diamond-jubilee/por ... hazar-imam
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Portuguese president hosts Mawlana Hazar Imam at Presidential Palace
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa officially welcomed Mawlana Hazar Imam to Portugal on 9 July with full state honours at Palácio de Belém, the official residence of the President.
Before entering the presidential palace on Monday, Mawlana Hazar Imam and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa paused to observe the Portugal Army Band’s rendition of the Portuguese National Anthem and the Nashid al-Imamah.
During a one-to-one meeting, the two parties discussed areas of mutual cooperation.
President de Sousa will host a dinner in honour of Hazar Imam on Monday night. Portuguese government officials and leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network are expected to attend.
At their last meeting in July 2017, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decorated Mawlana Hazar Imam with the Grã-Cruz da Ordem da Liberdade — or Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty — in recognition of his service to uplifting lives around the world.
Hazar Imam arrived in Portugal on 6 July to attend events marking the conclusion of the Diamond Jubilee; a celebration of 60-years of his Imamat. While in Lisbon, he is also expected to address the Portuguese parliament on 10 July, which will be streamed live on https://the.ismaili/live at 11:45 AM Lisbon time.
This is a historic time for the Ismaili Muslim community. Thousands of Ismailis have travelled to Lisbon from far and wide to take part in festivities related to the end of the Diamond Jubilee.
https://the.ismaili/portuguese-presiden ... ial-palace
********
Mawlana Hazar Imam delivers historic address to Portuguese Parliament
Mawlana Hazar Imam delivers an address in the Senate Chamber at Sāo Bento Palace on 10 July 2018.
MO GOVINDJI
Mawlana Hazar Imam delivered an historic address to the Portuguese Parliament today in the presence of government officials, members of Hazar Imam’s family, and leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network.
In his opening remarks, President of the Assembly of the Republic, His Excellency Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, said, “Your establishment here shows how we would like to represent ourselves as a bridge building country.”
Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina introduced Mawlana Hazar Imam to members of Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic, saying, “His Highness the Aga Khan exercises his mandate with a very clear purpose: to support humanity. This is the humanist spirit of intercommunal dialogue which has created such honour for the community he has led for so many years.”
In his address, Hazar Imam expressed gratitude to the Republic for their warm invitation to Portugal. He acknowledged the Jamat that has gathered in Lisbon, many for the first time, for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
“We signed an historic agreement in Lisbon in 2015 — an Agreement to establish here a new Seat of the Ismaili Imamat. This means that Lisbon, already a leading international crossroads city, will also now serve as a central connecting point for the global Ismaili community,” Hazar Imam said.
The Ismaili community’s long-standing relationship with Portugal dates back to the 17th century when Ismailis settled in Portuguese territories in India and then later in Mozambique. Many of those Ismailis received a warm welcome in Portugal when they fled Mozambique during its civil war almost a half century ago. Since then, the “Ismaili ties to Portugal have multiplied,” remarked Hazar Imam, with the establishment of the Aga Khan Foundation, the Ismaili Centre Lisbon, various Protocols of Cooperation, the historic agreement to establish the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal, and other collaborations.
In his address, Mawlana Hazar Imam also reiterated the need for fostering a strong cosmopolitan ethic and lauded Portugal for aligning its values with the ideals of civil society. “We can think today of Portugal as a country of opportunity, a country that seeks to honour both its past achievements and its future opportunities, to embrace both the gift of social stability and the promise of social progress.”
Upon his arrival to the Portugal Parliament at Sāo Bento Palace this morning, Hazar Imam was received by a guard of honour, and invited into the Senate Chamber by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, His Excellency Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues. Members of Hazar Imam’s family were also present in the audience, including Prince Amyn, Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim, Princess Salwa, Prince Hussain, Prince Aly Muhammad, Miss Sara Boyden, and Master Iliyan Boyden.
https://the.ismaili/djcelebration/mawla ... parliament
Mawlana Hazar Imam delivers an address in the Senate Chamber at Sāo Bento Palace on 10 July 2018.
MO GOVINDJI
Mawlana Hazar Imam delivered an historic address to the Portuguese Parliament today in the presence of government officials, members of Hazar Imam’s family, and leaders of the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network.
In his opening remarks, President of the Assembly of the Republic, His Excellency Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, said, “Your establishment here shows how we would like to represent ourselves as a bridge building country.”
Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina introduced Mawlana Hazar Imam to members of Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic, saying, “His Highness the Aga Khan exercises his mandate with a very clear purpose: to support humanity. This is the humanist spirit of intercommunal dialogue which has created such honour for the community he has led for so many years.”
In his address, Hazar Imam expressed gratitude to the Republic for their warm invitation to Portugal. He acknowledged the Jamat that has gathered in Lisbon, many for the first time, for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
“We signed an historic agreement in Lisbon in 2015 — an Agreement to establish here a new Seat of the Ismaili Imamat. This means that Lisbon, already a leading international crossroads city, will also now serve as a central connecting point for the global Ismaili community,” Hazar Imam said.
The Ismaili community’s long-standing relationship with Portugal dates back to the 17th century when Ismailis settled in Portuguese territories in India and then later in Mozambique. Many of those Ismailis received a warm welcome in Portugal when they fled Mozambique during its civil war almost a half century ago. Since then, the “Ismaili ties to Portugal have multiplied,” remarked Hazar Imam, with the establishment of the Aga Khan Foundation, the Ismaili Centre Lisbon, various Protocols of Cooperation, the historic agreement to establish the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal, and other collaborations.
In his address, Mawlana Hazar Imam also reiterated the need for fostering a strong cosmopolitan ethic and lauded Portugal for aligning its values with the ideals of civil society. “We can think today of Portugal as a country of opportunity, a country that seeks to honour both its past achievements and its future opportunities, to embrace both the gift of social stability and the promise of social progress.”
Upon his arrival to the Portugal Parliament at Sāo Bento Palace this morning, Hazar Imam was received by a guard of honour, and invited into the Senate Chamber by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, His Excellency Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues. Members of Hazar Imam’s family were also present in the audience, including Prince Amyn, Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim, Princess Salwa, Prince Hussain, Prince Aly Muhammad, Miss Sara Boyden, and Master Iliyan Boyden.
https://the.ismaili/djcelebration/mawla ... parliament
2018, June 10: Mawlana Hazar Imam made a historic address to the Portuguese Parliament on Tuesday, 10 July 2018 at 11:45 am Lisbon time. He came to the Parliament accompanied by his family. In his speech he said "Through the centuries, the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat has been formally designated in one or more locations by the Imam-of-the-Time, depending on the requirements of the day. It has known many homes over the years - throughout the Arabian Peninsula, in the Middle East, in South Asia, and in North Africa. It moved to Cairo in the tenth century, when my ancestors founded that city."
Photos of H.H. The Aga Khan at the Presidential Diner on 9th of July 2018 evening.
Photos of H.H. The Aga Khan at the Presidential Diner on 9th of July 2018 evening.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/340596 ... parliament
Prince Karim Aga Khan addresses Portuguese Parliament
July 12, 2018
The News
LISBON, Portugal: In an historic address to Portugal’s Members of Parliament that received a standing ovation, Prince Karim Aga Khan praised Portugal as a leader on the global stage, one that is widely acknowledged as a country of opportunity, and thanked Portugal for a “progressive partnership” with the Ismaili Imamat, says a press release on Tuesday.
The speech took place in the Senate Chamber at the invitation of Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, the President of the Assembly of the Republic, with whom Aga Khan also held bilateral meetings today. The address coincides with global celebrations taking place in Lisbon commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan, marking 60 years of his leadership as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
Historic address reinforces ongoing partnership: The address marked yet another significant milestone in an increasingly close relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the Portuguese Republic. Building on a series of earlier accords and at the invitation of the Republic of Portugal, the Ismaili Imamat established a Seat in Portugal in 2015 pursuant to a landmark agreement. As a reflection of the mutual esteem and trust that has traditionally characterised their relationship, that agreement and the establishment of a Seat in Portugal was unanimously endorsed by the Parliament of the Republic.
The Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) share a long history with the Government of Portugal that has included partnerships to help improve the quality of life for people within Lusophone communities and around the world. Portugal is also home to a sizeable Ismaili population within Europe, and the Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the AKDN, which has been operating in the country for almost four decades in the areas of early childhood development, education, civil society, economic inclusion and care for the elderly.
In his welcoming remarks, the president of the Assembly of Portuguese Parliament spoke of the Aga Khan’s and the AKDN’s “notable” actions in addressing the “many challenges which the modern world faces.” He added that their “commitment to education, with emphasis on children’s education, the programmes to fight poverty and the provision of health services, development programmes for rural communities, the supportive spirit and social commitment are hallmarks” of their work in improving the condition and quality of life of communities in need around the world.
Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, echoed these sentiments in his speech saying, “His Highness the Aga Khan exercises his mandate with a very clear purpose to support humanity. This is the humanist spirit of inter-communal dialogue which has created such honour for the community which he has led for so many years, fifteen million faithful throughout the world. And action which, through the Aga Khan Development Network, covers critical areas for human development such as health, education, culture, rural development and the promotion of entrepreneurialism. This changes human lives and it changes the world for the better.”
Following these congratulatory statements, the Aga Khan, in his address to Parliament, expressed gratitude to the Republic of Portugal, and spoke of Portugal as a significant partner with the Ismaili Imamat, one that shares a commitment to pluralism and embracing diversity. He described Portugal as a country of opportunity, “a country that seeks to honour both its past achievements and its future opportunities, to embrace both the gift of social stability and the promise of social progress.” “The Portuguese Parliament,” he added, “is to be commended for its role in that encouraging story.”
Aga Khan also noted that the history of Ismaili engagement with Portugal stretches back many years, beginning when Ismailis settled in Portuguese Territories in India in the 17th century. He noted the warm welcome that Portugal offered almost half a century ago to Ismailis fleeing the Mozambiquan civil war. In reflecting upon the past, Aga Khan also looked forward and considered the challenges that lie ahead, remarking, “We know that the days ahead will be demanding ones, a time of profound global change.”
Nonetheless, the Aga Khan remained encouraged for the future and acknowledged the role that Portugal will play in addressing the demands of tomorrow. In concluding his address, Aga Khan emphasised the importance of Portugal in this regard, stating that, “the Ismaili Imamat will draw strength from our continuing sense of partnership with the people and the government of Portugal.” He ended, “So let us, then, go forward together, bound by our shared past, committed to our shared values, and inspired by our shared hopes for a constructive, purposeful future.”
Members of Aga Khan’ family who joined him for the address included his brother Prince Amyn, daughter Princess Zahra and her children Sara and Iliyan, son Prince Rahim with his wife Princess Salwa, and sons Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad.
Special exhibition from Aga Khan Museum Focused on Leadership: Following his address in the Senate Chamber, Aga Khan officially inaugurated a special exhibit of objects from the Toronto-based Aga Khan Museum entitled Ideals of Leadership: Masterpieces from the Aga Khan Museum Collections. The stories depicted in the images and conveyed through the objects relate to some of the most important and timeless ideals of leadership that rulers aspired to through the ages. The specially curated exhibition is particularly relevant on this occasion, as the Ismaili Imamat, the AKDN and the Republic of Portugal further acknowledge and strengthen a relationship that has grown deeper over the years.
Prince Karim Aga Khan addresses Portuguese Parliament
July 12, 2018
The News
LISBON, Portugal: In an historic address to Portugal’s Members of Parliament that received a standing ovation, Prince Karim Aga Khan praised Portugal as a leader on the global stage, one that is widely acknowledged as a country of opportunity, and thanked Portugal for a “progressive partnership” with the Ismaili Imamat, says a press release on Tuesday.
The speech took place in the Senate Chamber at the invitation of Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, the President of the Assembly of the Republic, with whom Aga Khan also held bilateral meetings today. The address coincides with global celebrations taking place in Lisbon commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan, marking 60 years of his leadership as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
Historic address reinforces ongoing partnership: The address marked yet another significant milestone in an increasingly close relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the Portuguese Republic. Building on a series of earlier accords and at the invitation of the Republic of Portugal, the Ismaili Imamat established a Seat in Portugal in 2015 pursuant to a landmark agreement. As a reflection of the mutual esteem and trust that has traditionally characterised their relationship, that agreement and the establishment of a Seat in Portugal was unanimously endorsed by the Parliament of the Republic.
The Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) share a long history with the Government of Portugal that has included partnerships to help improve the quality of life for people within Lusophone communities and around the world. Portugal is also home to a sizeable Ismaili population within Europe, and the Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the AKDN, which has been operating in the country for almost four decades in the areas of early childhood development, education, civil society, economic inclusion and care for the elderly.
In his welcoming remarks, the president of the Assembly of Portuguese Parliament spoke of the Aga Khan’s and the AKDN’s “notable” actions in addressing the “many challenges which the modern world faces.” He added that their “commitment to education, with emphasis on children’s education, the programmes to fight poverty and the provision of health services, development programmes for rural communities, the supportive spirit and social commitment are hallmarks” of their work in improving the condition and quality of life of communities in need around the world.
Mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina, echoed these sentiments in his speech saying, “His Highness the Aga Khan exercises his mandate with a very clear purpose to support humanity. This is the humanist spirit of inter-communal dialogue which has created such honour for the community which he has led for so many years, fifteen million faithful throughout the world. And action which, through the Aga Khan Development Network, covers critical areas for human development such as health, education, culture, rural development and the promotion of entrepreneurialism. This changes human lives and it changes the world for the better.”
Following these congratulatory statements, the Aga Khan, in his address to Parliament, expressed gratitude to the Republic of Portugal, and spoke of Portugal as a significant partner with the Ismaili Imamat, one that shares a commitment to pluralism and embracing diversity. He described Portugal as a country of opportunity, “a country that seeks to honour both its past achievements and its future opportunities, to embrace both the gift of social stability and the promise of social progress.” “The Portuguese Parliament,” he added, “is to be commended for its role in that encouraging story.”
Aga Khan also noted that the history of Ismaili engagement with Portugal stretches back many years, beginning when Ismailis settled in Portuguese Territories in India in the 17th century. He noted the warm welcome that Portugal offered almost half a century ago to Ismailis fleeing the Mozambiquan civil war. In reflecting upon the past, Aga Khan also looked forward and considered the challenges that lie ahead, remarking, “We know that the days ahead will be demanding ones, a time of profound global change.”
Nonetheless, the Aga Khan remained encouraged for the future and acknowledged the role that Portugal will play in addressing the demands of tomorrow. In concluding his address, Aga Khan emphasised the importance of Portugal in this regard, stating that, “the Ismaili Imamat will draw strength from our continuing sense of partnership with the people and the government of Portugal.” He ended, “So let us, then, go forward together, bound by our shared past, committed to our shared values, and inspired by our shared hopes for a constructive, purposeful future.”
Members of Aga Khan’ family who joined him for the address included his brother Prince Amyn, daughter Princess Zahra and her children Sara and Iliyan, son Prince Rahim with his wife Princess Salwa, and sons Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad.
Special exhibition from Aga Khan Museum Focused on Leadership: Following his address in the Senate Chamber, Aga Khan officially inaugurated a special exhibit of objects from the Toronto-based Aga Khan Museum entitled Ideals of Leadership: Masterpieces from the Aga Khan Museum Collections. The stories depicted in the images and conveyed through the objects relate to some of the most important and timeless ideals of leadership that rulers aspired to through the ages. The specially curated exhibition is particularly relevant on this occasion, as the Ismaili Imamat, the AKDN and the Republic of Portugal further acknowledge and strengthen a relationship that has grown deeper over the years.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/0 ... rtnership/
Aga Khan thanks Portugal for a ‘progressive partnership’
LISBON: Prince Karim Aga Khan has praised Portugal as a country of opportunity and has thanked the country for a “progressive partnership” with the Ismaili imamat.
He said this while addressing members of the Portuguese parliament. He was invited to speak at the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon by its president Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues.
The address coincides with the global celebrations taking place in Lisbon commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan, marking 60 years of his leadership as 49th spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
In his address to the parliament, he expressed gratitude to the Republic of Portugal and spoke of Portugal as a significant partner with the Ismaili imamat, one that shares a commitment to pluralism and embracing diversity. He described Portugal as a country of opportunity. He said that Portugal is “a country that seeks to honour both its past achievements and its future opportunities, to embrace both the gift of social stability and the promise of social progress.”
He also noted that the history of Ismaili engagement with Portugal stretches back many years, beginning when Ismailis settled in Portuguese Territories in India in the 17th century. He noted the warm welcome that Portugal offered almost half a century ago to Ismailis fleeing the Mozambiquan civil war. In reflecting upon the past, he also looked forward and considered the challenges that lie ahead, remarking “We know that the days ahead will be demanding ones, a time of profound global change.”
Members of his family who joined him for the address included his brother Prince Amyn, daughter Princess Zahra and her children Sara and Iliyan, son Prince Rahim with his wife Princess Salwa, and sons Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad.
Aga Khan thanks Portugal for a ‘progressive partnership’
LISBON: Prince Karim Aga Khan has praised Portugal as a country of opportunity and has thanked the country for a “progressive partnership” with the Ismaili imamat.
He said this while addressing members of the Portuguese parliament. He was invited to speak at the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon by its president Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues.
The address coincides with the global celebrations taking place in Lisbon commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan, marking 60 years of his leadership as 49th spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
In his address to the parliament, he expressed gratitude to the Republic of Portugal and spoke of Portugal as a significant partner with the Ismaili imamat, one that shares a commitment to pluralism and embracing diversity. He described Portugal as a country of opportunity. He said that Portugal is “a country that seeks to honour both its past achievements and its future opportunities, to embrace both the gift of social stability and the promise of social progress.”
He also noted that the history of Ismaili engagement with Portugal stretches back many years, beginning when Ismailis settled in Portuguese Territories in India in the 17th century. He noted the warm welcome that Portugal offered almost half a century ago to Ismailis fleeing the Mozambiquan civil war. In reflecting upon the past, he also looked forward and considered the challenges that lie ahead, remarking “We know that the days ahead will be demanding ones, a time of profound global change.”
Members of his family who joined him for the address included his brother Prince Amyn, daughter Princess Zahra and her children Sara and Iliyan, son Prince Rahim with his wife Princess Salwa, and sons Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad.
2018-07-10 Inauguration of the Seat of Imamat - Diwan
Presidente da República na Sede do Imamat Ismaili
O Presidente da República visitou os trabalhos de recuperação do Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, em Lisboa, futura Sede Mundial do Imamat Ismaili.
A convite do Príncipe Aga Khan, que está em Portugal no âmbito do encerramento das celebrações do seu Jubileu de Diamante, o Presidente Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa e representantes de outros Órgãos de Soberania e da Sociedade Civil visitaram o espaço que deverá ser inaugurado no ano que vem como sede mundial da Comunidade Ismaelita (Imamat Ismaili).
Translation:
President of the Republic at the Headquarters of Ismaili Imamat
The President of the Republic of Portugal visited the restoration works of the Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, in Lisbon, future World Headquarters of Ismaili Imamat.
Visita à futura Sede Mundial da Comunidade Ismaelita (Imamat Ismaili) no Palacete Henrique de Mendonça em Lisboa © 2016-2018 Presidência da República Portuguesa
At the invitation of Prince Karim Aga Khan, who is in Portugal to close the celebrations of his Diamond Jubilee, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and representatives of other Sovereign and Civil Society Bodies visited the palace that was inaugurated this year as the world headquarters of the Ismaili Community (Ismaili Imamat). – translated.
Click source for more images.
Source: http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=10&idi=150946
O Presidente da República visitou os trabalhos de recuperação do Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, em Lisboa, futura Sede Mundial do Imamat Ismaili.
A convite do Príncipe Aga Khan, que está em Portugal no âmbito do encerramento das celebrações do seu Jubileu de Diamante, o Presidente Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa e representantes de outros Órgãos de Soberania e da Sociedade Civil visitaram o espaço que deverá ser inaugurado no ano que vem como sede mundial da Comunidade Ismaelita (Imamat Ismaili).
Translation:
President of the Republic at the Headquarters of Ismaili Imamat
The President of the Republic of Portugal visited the restoration works of the Palacete Henrique de Mendonça, in Lisbon, future World Headquarters of Ismaili Imamat.
Visita à futura Sede Mundial da Comunidade Ismaelita (Imamat Ismaili) no Palacete Henrique de Mendonça em Lisboa © 2016-2018 Presidência da República Portuguesa
At the invitation of Prince Karim Aga Khan, who is in Portugal to close the celebrations of his Diamond Jubilee, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and representatives of other Sovereign and Civil Society Bodies visited the palace that was inaugurated this year as the world headquarters of the Ismaili Community (Ismaili Imamat). – translated.
Click source for more images.
Source: http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=10&idi=150946
H.H. The Aga Khan coming out of the luncheon with Prime Minister of Portugal in Lisbon 2018-07-09
VIDEO
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-07-09-lunch.mp4
VIDEO
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-07-09-lunch.mp4
2018-07-08 Prince Rahim obstructed from interacting with the Jamat... how rude!
VIDEO
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-0 ... -rahim.mp4
VIDEO
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-0 ... -rahim.mp4
Aga Khan meets Portugal president
The Aga Khan calls on Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belém Palace in Lisbon of Portugal.
He was given state honour on his arrival in Lisbon, and was greeted on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee, commemorating 60 years of global leadership and contributions to humanity, says a press release.
More than 40,000 members of the Ismaili community have gathered in Portugal for the culmination of year-long celebrations taking place this week throughout Lisbon.
During the meetings at the Presidential Palace, the parties discussed ways that the Ismaili Imamat, and the agencies and institutions of the AKDN, are partnering with the government and people of Portugal to improve the quality of life of communities within the Portuguese jurisdictions and around the world.
In the meeting, the Aga Khan and his delegates also discussed opportunities for wider collaboration and ways in which they can further reinforce the strength of their existing relationship.
http://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/d ... -president
The Aga Khan calls on Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belém Palace in Lisbon of Portugal.
He was given state honour on his arrival in Lisbon, and was greeted on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee, commemorating 60 years of global leadership and contributions to humanity, says a press release.
More than 40,000 members of the Ismaili community have gathered in Portugal for the culmination of year-long celebrations taking place this week throughout Lisbon.
During the meetings at the Presidential Palace, the parties discussed ways that the Ismaili Imamat, and the agencies and institutions of the AKDN, are partnering with the government and people of Portugal to improve the quality of life of communities within the Portuguese jurisdictions and around the world.
In the meeting, the Aga Khan and his delegates also discussed opportunities for wider collaboration and ways in which they can further reinforce the strength of their existing relationship.
http://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/d ... -president
Lisbon, Portugal - 11 July 2018
LaCroix, a journal from France writes on the Diamond Jubilee of H.H. The Aga Khan and the Seat of Imamat (Diwan) establishment. The French articles contains also color photos. Here is the PDF version.
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-07-11-lacroix.pdf
LaCroix, a journal from France writes on the Diamond Jubilee of H.H. The Aga Khan and the Seat of Imamat (Diwan) establishment. The French articles contains also color photos. Here is the PDF version.
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-07-11-lacroix.pdf
Last edited by Admin on Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
https://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Ag ... index.html
Aga Khan visits Portugal as year-long event ends
Monday July 16 2018
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (right) welcomes Prince Karim Aga Khan IV at Belem Palace in Lisbon on July 9, 2018. PHOTO | PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA | AFP
In Summary
Addressing the Parliament, the Aga Khan underlined the value of intercultural and interreligious connectedness.
The Aga Khan called on developing countries to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by technological innovations to spearhead their own developments
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By DAVID ADUDA
More by this Author
The Aga Khan concluded year-long celebrations to mark his 60th anniversary as the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims with a State visit to Portugal last week.
During the visit, he met President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belem Palace where he was conferred with State honours.
President Sousa and the Aga Khan discussed areas for mutual collaboration, including health, education, science and research as well as culture and environmental conservation.
PROGRESSIVE RELATIONS
The President later hosted the Aga Khan to dinner at the Queluz Palace, where he commended the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for spearheading development projects across the world.
The Aga Khan lauded the cordial relations between Portugal and AKDN.
“We have a very welcoming environment in Portugal; we have shared values – an appreciation for diversity, and a commitment to improve the quality of life where we live around the world. We have a global outlook,” the Aga Khan said.
The Aga Khan also met Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who hosted a luncheon in his honour and presented him with commemorative First Day Diamond Jubilee stamps issued by Portugal’s Postal Service.
COUNTRIES OF OPPORTUNITY
In addition, the spiritual leader addressed Portugal’s Parliament and concluded with an address to a global gathering that brought together the Ismaili and dignitaries from various parts of the world.
Addressing the Parliament, the Aga Khan underlined the value of intercultural and interreligious connectedness.
He called on developing countries to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by technological innovations to spearhead their own developments.
He said nations that sought to prosper must become “Countries of Opportunity”; those that build on the strengths of their past and tackled challenges of the present and established values and systems that respected and promoted diversity.
“A Country of Opportunity is one that encourages cooperation among diverse interests, fostering partnerships between government and the private sector, for example, while also encouraging those private organisations that are designed to serve public goals, what we often called institutions of civil society,” he said.
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
He saluted Portugal for fitting the bill – meeting the threshold of a Country of Opportunity – by pursuing economic and political growth and at the same time promoting cultural, spiritual and social well-being of the citizens.
Portugal, he said, played a central role in world’s history, producing the early adventurers and discoverers who toured the world and created connections between continents and peoples of different races.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations started last year and saw the Aga Khan travel to various countries around the world, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
He also visited Canada, France, UK and the US. He launched various projects during the visits.
His Highness the Aga Khan has been the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims for 61 years.
Aga Khan visits Portugal as year-long event ends
Monday July 16 2018
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (right) welcomes Prince Karim Aga Khan IV at Belem Palace in Lisbon on July 9, 2018. PHOTO | PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA | AFP
In Summary
Addressing the Parliament, the Aga Khan underlined the value of intercultural and interreligious connectedness.
The Aga Khan called on developing countries to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by technological innovations to spearhead their own developments
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By DAVID ADUDA
More by this Author
The Aga Khan concluded year-long celebrations to mark his 60th anniversary as the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims with a State visit to Portugal last week.
During the visit, he met President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belem Palace where he was conferred with State honours.
President Sousa and the Aga Khan discussed areas for mutual collaboration, including health, education, science and research as well as culture and environmental conservation.
PROGRESSIVE RELATIONS
The President later hosted the Aga Khan to dinner at the Queluz Palace, where he commended the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for spearheading development projects across the world.
The Aga Khan lauded the cordial relations between Portugal and AKDN.
“We have a very welcoming environment in Portugal; we have shared values – an appreciation for diversity, and a commitment to improve the quality of life where we live around the world. We have a global outlook,” the Aga Khan said.
The Aga Khan also met Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who hosted a luncheon in his honour and presented him with commemorative First Day Diamond Jubilee stamps issued by Portugal’s Postal Service.
COUNTRIES OF OPPORTUNITY
In addition, the spiritual leader addressed Portugal’s Parliament and concluded with an address to a global gathering that brought together the Ismaili and dignitaries from various parts of the world.
Addressing the Parliament, the Aga Khan underlined the value of intercultural and interreligious connectedness.
He called on developing countries to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by technological innovations to spearhead their own developments.
He said nations that sought to prosper must become “Countries of Opportunity”; those that build on the strengths of their past and tackled challenges of the present and established values and systems that respected and promoted diversity.
“A Country of Opportunity is one that encourages cooperation among diverse interests, fostering partnerships between government and the private sector, for example, while also encouraging those private organisations that are designed to serve public goals, what we often called institutions of civil society,” he said.
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
He saluted Portugal for fitting the bill – meeting the threshold of a Country of Opportunity – by pursuing economic and political growth and at the same time promoting cultural, spiritual and social well-being of the citizens.
Portugal, he said, played a central role in world’s history, producing the early adventurers and discoverers who toured the world and created connections between continents and peoples of different races.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations started last year and saw the Aga Khan travel to various countries around the world, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
He also visited Canada, France, UK and the US. He launched various projects during the visits.
His Highness the Aga Khan has been the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims for 61 years.
http://www.rfi.fr/hebdo/20180713-ismael ... m-mendonca
Lisbonne, nouveau siège spirituel des ismaéliens
Par Marie-Line Darcy Publié le 13-07-2018 Modifié le 13-07-2018 à 18:00
Le palais Mendonça, à Lisbonne, siège de l'imamat ismaélien qui accueille aussi les bureaux de l'Aga Kahn, chef spirituel de cette communauté.
RFI/Marie-Line Darcy
Chef spirituel d'une communauté de 15 millions de membres dispersés dans 30 pays dans le monde, l'Aga Khan, à la tête du courant musulman chiite des ismaéliens, s'apprête à installer officiellement le siège de son imamat à Lisbonne, perpétuant ainsi la tradition d'échange qui l'unit au Portugal depuis les années 1960.
De notre correspondante à Lisbonne
Le palais Henrique Mendonça est méconnaissable. Dans un écrin de verdure récemment paysagé, la demeure de 1909 vient de subir de profondes transformations. L’extérieur a été repeint et l’escalier monumental redressé. A l’intérieur, les salons recouverts de boiseries finement sculptées, de tissus et de carreaux de faïence, ont été refaits à l’identique. Ce travail de restauration a été confié aux meilleurs artisans de la capitale portugaise. Le vaste parc dissimule un parking souterrain d’un genre nouveau, destiné à accueillir les automobiles de l’Aga Khan.
En 2019, quand tout le travail de restauration sera terminé, le chef spirituel de la communauté ismaélienne, une mouvance de l'islam chiite, y installera les services de son imamat, son siège. Situé au coeur de Lisbonne, le palais Mendonça que s’est choisi le milliardaire, descendant supposé d’Ali, gendre du prophète Mahomet, le fondateur de l'islam, est à l’image de son propriétaire : fastueux et en même temps discret, luxueux sans clinquant, raffiné et stylé.
L’imam Aga Khan a dépensé 12 millions d’euros pour s’offrir le bel édifice construit par un ancien colon qui avait fait fortune à São Tomé, île de l'Atlantique autrefois portugaise. Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan, 49e imam de la lignée musulmane chiite ismaélienne, dispose de la 11e fortune du monde, évaluée à 3 milliards d’euros. L’imam est venu passer une semaine dans la capitale portugaise du 6 au 12 juillet pour ouvrir officiellement l’imamat, inauguré le 10 juillet.
Il a ainsi fait coïncider l’événement avec la fin de son année de jubilé pour les 60 ans de son intronisation comme chef suprême des ismaéliens, cette communauté forte de 15 millions de personnes réparties dans une trentaine de pays dans le monde dont il est moralement et matériellement responsable. Cet événement est le résultat d’un long cheminement aux côtés des différentes autorités qui ont régi le Portugal ces dernières années.
Relations privilégiées
Karim Al-Hussaini n’avait que 20 ans quand il a été intronisé, en 1957. Son grand-père, amateur comme lui d’équitation, l'avait préféré à son propre fils, jugé trop frivole pour endosser la responsabilité spirituelle des ismaéliens. Karim devient alors Aga Khan IV, littéralement « prince » des ismaéliens. Les relations privilégiées avec le Portugal datent de cette époque.
Le Portugal devient alors l’un des tout premiers pays à reconnaître la charge et la fonction du jeune homme. D’innombrables échanges suivent, l’Aga Khan ayant à cœur d’entretenir de bonnes relations avec le pays. Elles lui seront utiles notamment à la fin des années 1970. Pressentant la guerre d’indépendance au Mozambique, qui durera de 1964 à 1974, il conseille aux ismaéliens qui y vivent de venir s’installer dans l’ancienne puissance coloniale.
Originaires d’Inde, ces ismaéliens mozambicains obéissent à leur imam et sont les premiers réfugiés à s’installer sur les rives du Tage, ce fleuve qui se jette dans la mer au niveau de Lisbonne. Commerçants habiles, lettrés pour beaucoup, ils adoptent le mode de vie portugais, se fondent dans la population en toute discrétion, s’intègrent et…font fortune. Aujourd’hui, forte de quelque 7 000 à 8 000 membres, elle représente la 4e plus grosse communauté en Europe. La deuxième génération d'ismaéliens portugais raconte des histoires de succès, que ce soit dans le textile, l’hôtellerie ou l’immobilier. Sur l’avenue Almirante Reis, qui traverse une partie du centre-ville, certaines boutiques renommées affichent au mur le portrait du vénéré Aga Khan.
L’entregent de Son Altesse Karim Aga Khan va permettre à la communauté ismaélienne de disposer d’un centre de culte dès 1998. Là encore, il s'agit d'un bel édifice de style arabisant moderne, lové dans un immense parc dans le quartier de Laranjeiras, dans le nord-ouest de la ville. La communauté portugaise s’y rassemble pour prier, mais le centre ismaélien sert aussi de centre de congrès ouvert à tous. Le tournant viendra en 2008. Cette année, l’Aga Khan signe avec l’État portugais un concordat, à l’instar de celui qui existe avec l’Eglise catholique, qui reconnaît la figure juridique de l’imamat. Lisbonne accepte donc l’installation du culte musulman en son cœur.
En 2015, un nouvel accord fixe cette fois le cadre institutionnel et financier de l’imamat. Le texte lui accorde un statut équivalent à celui d’une ambassade, garantissant la sécurité et l’immunité des officiels. Et concède d’importants avantages fiscaux pour permettre au richissime leader charismatique de s’installer dans le pays. L’Aga Kahn est loin d’être avare envers le Portugal. Tout récemment, il a effectué un don de 10 millions d’euros pour la recherche scientifique. Il projette de créer un lycée et devrait installer sa résidence privée à Lisbonne. Dans un discours prononcé lors des fêtes de son jubilé dans la capitale portugaise, il a évoqué un « Portugal, pays d’opportunités », montrant ainsi le chemin à ses fidèles pour investir.
Tapis rouge, honneurs de la garde républicaine et vivats de la foule : l’Aga Khan a eu droit au traitement d’un chef d’État, avec réception par le président de la République et le Premier ministre portugais. A l’Assemblée nationale, le chef spirituel des ismaéliens a prononcé un discours flatteur à l’égard du pays qui l’accueille si bien, mettant en avant le pluralisme et la liberté religieuse pratiqués dans le pays.
Le président portugais Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, à droite, accueille le prince Karim Aga Khan IV dans le palais de Belem, résidence de la présidence portugaise, le 9 juillet 2018.
AFP/Patricia de Melo Moreira
Les honneurs d’un chef d’Etat
C’est à partir de l’imamat que sera dorénavant géré l’AKDN, le Réseau Aga Khan pour le développement, constitué d’une dizaine d’agences réparties dans le monde qui permettent d’investir dans le développement économique, social et culturel. Le leader spirituel coordonnait jusqu’à présent depuis Paris, où il a ses bureaux, ce réseau qui emploie 80 000 personnes dans le monde et dégage 3 milliards d'euros de recettes par an.
La fascination qu’exercent le patriarche musulman et le culte ismaélien s’explique en grande partie par les principes qui les gouvernent. Pour la communauté, le terrestre et le divin, le matériel et le spirituel sont liés. S’enrichir n’est pas un tabou, à condition de procéder à la redistribution, d’aider les défavorisés, d’encourager la méritocratie et l’élévation par l’éducation. Les ismaéliens donnent une dîme, un impôt sur leurs biens, sans que personne ne soit forcé à le faire. Ce courant se veut celui de l’islam modéré, tolérant, pacifique, au culte moins rigoureux que dans le sunnisme.
En 2017, les festivités du jubilé placées sous le signe des arts et de la culture, mais aussi de la prière, ont attiré quelque 45 000 ismaéliens du monde entier à Lisbonne. Entre les hôtels, la restauration et les dépenses variées, cette présence représente quelque 250 millions d’euros de recettes. Venus principalement des États-Unis, du Canada et d’Espagne, les ismaéliens ont réservé un accueil chaleureux à leur imam et se sont rendus spontanément devant le palais Mendonça, sous haute protection.
Ce pèlerinage bon enfant s'est déroulé devant ce qui est ni une mosquée, ni un temple et pourtant symbole du culte d’un peuple sans nation. « Nous sommes très fiers, nous avons pu visiter l’intérieur du palais, racontent Rozina et Rahim Kradiya, qui posaient pour la postérité devant le bâtiment, le 10 juillet dernier lors de la consécration de l'imamat. C’est magnifique et très émouvant. Un grand moment pour notre communauté ».
Lisbonne, nouveau siège spirituel des ismaéliens
Par Marie-Line Darcy Publié le 13-07-2018 Modifié le 13-07-2018 à 18:00
Le palais Mendonça, à Lisbonne, siège de l'imamat ismaélien qui accueille aussi les bureaux de l'Aga Kahn, chef spirituel de cette communauté.
RFI/Marie-Line Darcy
Chef spirituel d'une communauté de 15 millions de membres dispersés dans 30 pays dans le monde, l'Aga Khan, à la tête du courant musulman chiite des ismaéliens, s'apprête à installer officiellement le siège de son imamat à Lisbonne, perpétuant ainsi la tradition d'échange qui l'unit au Portugal depuis les années 1960.
De notre correspondante à Lisbonne
Le palais Henrique Mendonça est méconnaissable. Dans un écrin de verdure récemment paysagé, la demeure de 1909 vient de subir de profondes transformations. L’extérieur a été repeint et l’escalier monumental redressé. A l’intérieur, les salons recouverts de boiseries finement sculptées, de tissus et de carreaux de faïence, ont été refaits à l’identique. Ce travail de restauration a été confié aux meilleurs artisans de la capitale portugaise. Le vaste parc dissimule un parking souterrain d’un genre nouveau, destiné à accueillir les automobiles de l’Aga Khan.
En 2019, quand tout le travail de restauration sera terminé, le chef spirituel de la communauté ismaélienne, une mouvance de l'islam chiite, y installera les services de son imamat, son siège. Situé au coeur de Lisbonne, le palais Mendonça que s’est choisi le milliardaire, descendant supposé d’Ali, gendre du prophète Mahomet, le fondateur de l'islam, est à l’image de son propriétaire : fastueux et en même temps discret, luxueux sans clinquant, raffiné et stylé.
L’imam Aga Khan a dépensé 12 millions d’euros pour s’offrir le bel édifice construit par un ancien colon qui avait fait fortune à São Tomé, île de l'Atlantique autrefois portugaise. Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan, 49e imam de la lignée musulmane chiite ismaélienne, dispose de la 11e fortune du monde, évaluée à 3 milliards d’euros. L’imam est venu passer une semaine dans la capitale portugaise du 6 au 12 juillet pour ouvrir officiellement l’imamat, inauguré le 10 juillet.
Il a ainsi fait coïncider l’événement avec la fin de son année de jubilé pour les 60 ans de son intronisation comme chef suprême des ismaéliens, cette communauté forte de 15 millions de personnes réparties dans une trentaine de pays dans le monde dont il est moralement et matériellement responsable. Cet événement est le résultat d’un long cheminement aux côtés des différentes autorités qui ont régi le Portugal ces dernières années.
Relations privilégiées
Karim Al-Hussaini n’avait que 20 ans quand il a été intronisé, en 1957. Son grand-père, amateur comme lui d’équitation, l'avait préféré à son propre fils, jugé trop frivole pour endosser la responsabilité spirituelle des ismaéliens. Karim devient alors Aga Khan IV, littéralement « prince » des ismaéliens. Les relations privilégiées avec le Portugal datent de cette époque.
Le Portugal devient alors l’un des tout premiers pays à reconnaître la charge et la fonction du jeune homme. D’innombrables échanges suivent, l’Aga Khan ayant à cœur d’entretenir de bonnes relations avec le pays. Elles lui seront utiles notamment à la fin des années 1970. Pressentant la guerre d’indépendance au Mozambique, qui durera de 1964 à 1974, il conseille aux ismaéliens qui y vivent de venir s’installer dans l’ancienne puissance coloniale.
Originaires d’Inde, ces ismaéliens mozambicains obéissent à leur imam et sont les premiers réfugiés à s’installer sur les rives du Tage, ce fleuve qui se jette dans la mer au niveau de Lisbonne. Commerçants habiles, lettrés pour beaucoup, ils adoptent le mode de vie portugais, se fondent dans la population en toute discrétion, s’intègrent et…font fortune. Aujourd’hui, forte de quelque 7 000 à 8 000 membres, elle représente la 4e plus grosse communauté en Europe. La deuxième génération d'ismaéliens portugais raconte des histoires de succès, que ce soit dans le textile, l’hôtellerie ou l’immobilier. Sur l’avenue Almirante Reis, qui traverse une partie du centre-ville, certaines boutiques renommées affichent au mur le portrait du vénéré Aga Khan.
L’entregent de Son Altesse Karim Aga Khan va permettre à la communauté ismaélienne de disposer d’un centre de culte dès 1998. Là encore, il s'agit d'un bel édifice de style arabisant moderne, lové dans un immense parc dans le quartier de Laranjeiras, dans le nord-ouest de la ville. La communauté portugaise s’y rassemble pour prier, mais le centre ismaélien sert aussi de centre de congrès ouvert à tous. Le tournant viendra en 2008. Cette année, l’Aga Khan signe avec l’État portugais un concordat, à l’instar de celui qui existe avec l’Eglise catholique, qui reconnaît la figure juridique de l’imamat. Lisbonne accepte donc l’installation du culte musulman en son cœur.
En 2015, un nouvel accord fixe cette fois le cadre institutionnel et financier de l’imamat. Le texte lui accorde un statut équivalent à celui d’une ambassade, garantissant la sécurité et l’immunité des officiels. Et concède d’importants avantages fiscaux pour permettre au richissime leader charismatique de s’installer dans le pays. L’Aga Kahn est loin d’être avare envers le Portugal. Tout récemment, il a effectué un don de 10 millions d’euros pour la recherche scientifique. Il projette de créer un lycée et devrait installer sa résidence privée à Lisbonne. Dans un discours prononcé lors des fêtes de son jubilé dans la capitale portugaise, il a évoqué un « Portugal, pays d’opportunités », montrant ainsi le chemin à ses fidèles pour investir.
Tapis rouge, honneurs de la garde républicaine et vivats de la foule : l’Aga Khan a eu droit au traitement d’un chef d’État, avec réception par le président de la République et le Premier ministre portugais. A l’Assemblée nationale, le chef spirituel des ismaéliens a prononcé un discours flatteur à l’égard du pays qui l’accueille si bien, mettant en avant le pluralisme et la liberté religieuse pratiqués dans le pays.
Le président portugais Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, à droite, accueille le prince Karim Aga Khan IV dans le palais de Belem, résidence de la présidence portugaise, le 9 juillet 2018.
AFP/Patricia de Melo Moreira
Les honneurs d’un chef d’Etat
C’est à partir de l’imamat que sera dorénavant géré l’AKDN, le Réseau Aga Khan pour le développement, constitué d’une dizaine d’agences réparties dans le monde qui permettent d’investir dans le développement économique, social et culturel. Le leader spirituel coordonnait jusqu’à présent depuis Paris, où il a ses bureaux, ce réseau qui emploie 80 000 personnes dans le monde et dégage 3 milliards d'euros de recettes par an.
La fascination qu’exercent le patriarche musulman et le culte ismaélien s’explique en grande partie par les principes qui les gouvernent. Pour la communauté, le terrestre et le divin, le matériel et le spirituel sont liés. S’enrichir n’est pas un tabou, à condition de procéder à la redistribution, d’aider les défavorisés, d’encourager la méritocratie et l’élévation par l’éducation. Les ismaéliens donnent une dîme, un impôt sur leurs biens, sans que personne ne soit forcé à le faire. Ce courant se veut celui de l’islam modéré, tolérant, pacifique, au culte moins rigoureux que dans le sunnisme.
En 2017, les festivités du jubilé placées sous le signe des arts et de la culture, mais aussi de la prière, ont attiré quelque 45 000 ismaéliens du monde entier à Lisbonne. Entre les hôtels, la restauration et les dépenses variées, cette présence représente quelque 250 millions d’euros de recettes. Venus principalement des États-Unis, du Canada et d’Espagne, les ismaéliens ont réservé un accueil chaleureux à leur imam et se sont rendus spontanément devant le palais Mendonça, sous haute protection.
Ce pèlerinage bon enfant s'est déroulé devant ce qui est ni une mosquée, ni un temple et pourtant symbole du culte d’un peuple sans nation. « Nous sommes très fiers, nous avons pu visiter l’intérieur du palais, racontent Rozina et Rahim Kradiya, qui posaient pour la postérité devant le bâtiment, le 10 juillet dernier lors de la consécration de l'imamat. C’est magnifique et très émouvant. Un grand moment pour notre communauté ».