"The greatest wealth is the wealth of wisdom and judgement; the greatest poverty is the poverty of stupidity and ignorance; the worst unsociableness is that of vanity, conceit and self-glorification; the best nobility of descent exhibits itself in politeness and in refinement of culture." -- Hazrat Ali Maxims of Ali for this post in PDF format. to subscribe and receive our ...
Global -- The AKDN has launched a mobile app featuring the winners of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture over the past three decades. The app is available for free in the iTunes App Store and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, and includes video, photographs, drawings and descriptions of each of the winning projects. The Aga Khan ...
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 19 January 2012 --The Kyrgyz Republic's Ministry of Education and Science, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Aga Khan Foundation signed an agreement this morning to reprint 90,500 copies of dual-language children's books aimed at promoting peace, tolerance and respect for diversity among primary school children. The books will be distributed to all 2,204 ...
19 January 2012 - The Aga Khan Award for Architecture app is now available for the iPhone, iPad and iTouch from the iTunes app store. It is free. To find it, simply search for "aga khan" or "architecture prize" in the iTunes search box or visit the iTunes store. The application contains detailed documentation, including photos, videos, drawings and descriptions, of ...
Having fifty years of first hand and successful experience in development of the poorest peoples, and as founder of one of the world's largest private development institutions, the Aga Khan Development Network, the Aga Khan is in a unique position to reflect not only upon the notion of Civil Society institutions but also their role and impact in world progress: "By ...
"Western Europe and North America possess much that can be envied. They also face social and moral conflicts which are far more daunting than known in Asia or Africa. Increasingly, I believe, thinking people both in Europe and America are asking: Where is this all prosperity leading us? Are we any happier? Do we get as much satisfaction out of living ...
Canada -- At a special convocation ceremony held on 13 January 2012 at the University of Ottawa, Mawlana Hazar Imam was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of the University for his service to humanity. ...
Dalakhani and Sinndar's progeny among top racehorses. The Aga Khan Studs stallions Dalakhani and Sinndar have both been recognised in the final World Thoroughbred Rankings for 2011, with representatives among the leaders of their categories. Dalakhani's Gr 1 Prix du Jockey Club hero RELIABLE MAN is joint top three-year-old trained in France, alongside Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi. RELIABLE MAN earned ...
Bonneval's resident had a filly born on Saturday 14 January. The first product of SIYOUNI was born on Saturday 14 January at Haras du Mezeray. The bay filly is the second product of her dam Fair West, a winning full sister to Group 2 placed Kalgoorlie (Gone West). SIYOUNI has proved very popular for his first season at stud in 2011, ...
Joyous Day for His Highness the Aga Khan as He is Conferred an Honorary Degree by the University of Ottawa His Highness the Aga Khan received his first Honorary Degree on November 30, 1967 at the University of Peshawar, Pakistan, when he was 31. Today, January 13, 2012, he was presented with his 20th honorary degree by Ottawa University's Chancellor Huguette ...
An earlier portrait of His Highness the Aga Khan. Compiled by Azeem Maherali "Wisdom, Versatility, Sagacity and Statesmanship - Characteristic of His Highness the Aga Khan's Noble and Great family" To date, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Imam of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, has been awarded 20 honorary degrees by universities from 11 different countries. The latest, the 20th, ...
"Regarding what you do not know out of what has come down to you (the Noble Quran), you must try to keep silent. (Or else) refer the same for confirmation to the divinely guided Imams (p) so that they may lead you to the correct interpretation. They will also dispel its obscurity and make you aware of the truth. Then the ...
Global -- Ottawa, 13 January 2012 - At a special convocation ceremony held this morning at the University of Ottawa, Mawlana Hazar Imam was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of the University for his service to humanity. The convocation was presided over by University of Ottawa Chancellor Huguette Labelle, in what was her last official event following an 18-year tenure as ...
OTTAWA, Canadan, 13 January 2012 -- His Highness the Aga Khan was today awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa for his service to humanity. In his welcome remarks, Allan Rock, President of the University of Ottawa, addressed the Aga Khan, saying "we see Your Highness' presence today as a call to action for all in our university community ...
Ottawa, Canada, 13 January 2012 - His Highness the Aga Khan was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa for his service to humanity. The degree was confered at a special convocation presided over by Chancellor Huguette Labelle, as well as University President Allan Rock. ...
The history of constitutions can be seen, as an oscillation between the two poles of centralisation and diffusion with new concentrations of power often amplifying the temptation to abuse, while new dispersions of power are often associated with stagnation, paralysis and even more opportunities for corruption. Arrangements that effectively balance power through a federalist approach, for example, are elusive. What is ...
Canada -- Ottawa, 12 January 2012 - Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Canada today, landing in Ottawa this evening. Tomorrow, Hazar Imam will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa. Mawlana Hazar Imam has arrived in Canada, landing this evening in Ottawa, where he was received by Vazir Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, and other ...
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 12 January 2012 - The Aga Khan Planning and Building Services' (AKPBS) Building and Construction Improvement Programme (BACIP) is one the finalists of the 2012 Zayed Future Energy Prize. The prize, which will be announced later this month, recognizes and rewards outstanding work in renewable energy and sustainability. A prize of US$ 1.5 million will be awarded to ...
"The most valuable thing in the world is a virtuous woman" "If a daughter is born to a man and he brings her up well he shall be saved from the Fire." "Whosoever careth for two girls till they come of age shall be in the next world with me, like my two fingers close to each other." "Women are the ...
News story -- Dr Yahia Baiza of IIS' Central Asian Studies Unit presented a paper entitled, Religion, State and Politics: An Analysis of Religion's Place in Modern Afghanistan, at a conference on Religious Difference and Conflict, at Stranmillis University College of Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Conference, held from 5-7 September, was organised by the Stranmillis University College and the Department ...
This week's selection is His Highness the Aga Khan's 2004 Keynote Address to the Annual Conference of German Ambassadors in Berlin, Germany. One of his seminal speeches on democracy, the Aga Khan notes that democracy is "susceptible to failure at any time, in any society" and elaborates on "three essential pre-conditions for the successful transition of the poorest areas of the ...
I. THE SETTING Mawlana Hazar Imam amongst the UK Jamat in London Olympia in 1979. Photo: Jehangir Merchant collection. By Jehangir A. Merchant July 7th, 1979 was a day of immense joy and special happiness for the Ismailis of the United Kingdom as they gathered in London and other parts of the country to celebrate the 22nd Imamat Day anniversary of ...
Peter Mansbridge: Who's showing leadership in this world right now in terms of the major global issues? Who do you look to as a leader, whether it's a political leader or not? Who's showing leadership? Aga Khan: I think there are a number of people in the UN system who've shown leadership -- who have shown balanced judgement on these issues. ...
News story -- Published by Azimuth Editions in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies and the University of Washington Press, the book was originally conceived as accompanying an educational film in both English and Arabic called Living with the Past: Historic Cairo, which now comes as a DVD with the book. This interdisciplinary volume's chapters reflect the different interests of the ...
Group double for brothers Zaynar and Zaidpour, while Keredari and Botswana impress in Asia. Aga Khan Studs graduates were omnipresent in the run-up to the festive period, and the latest to shine in the National Hunt discipline are ZAYNAR and ZAIDPOUR, both sons of Prix de Diane heroine Zainta (Kahyasi). The former is no stranger to top-level success during his second ...
News story -- The exhibition launch ceremony and press preview took place on 21 January 2010; Dr El-Bizri attended the event. The preview included presentations by Professor Chris Rapley, Director of the Science Museum, and Professor Salim T. S. Al-Hassani, Chair of the '1001 Inventions' initiative and President of the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC). The launch ceremony was covered ...
"There are two kinds of learned men. The one who acts according to his knowledge will be delivered (from chastisement in the Hereafter). The other who ignores his knowledge is destined to perish. Even the dwellers of Hell will be tortured due to the stench emanating from the burning body of the learned person who ignored his knowledge. The most repentant ...
News story -- The IIS organised a panel presentation at the 45th Middle Eastern Studies Association (MESA) conference held in Washington DC, USA. The panel, entitled Fatimid Studies, continued on from the previous year's panel, Approaches to Governance in the Fatimid Period, and reflected the Institute's ongoing work in the fields of Ismaili and broader Shi'i Studies. The panel was chaired by ...
"I think we are experiencing a time of, in a sense, the search for a legitimacy in interpretation of Islam in relation to the modern world, in relation to modern society, in relation to non-Muslim societies and in that search there are all sorts of interpretations being put forward. I personally am very cautious about seeking a formalistic approach, because I ...
AN ISMAILI MONUMENT - THE DAWR SATR PERIOD Jabal Mashhad in Salamiyya, Syria, is thought to hold the tomb of the 8th Ismaili Imam Wafi Ahmed. Photo: Henna Budhwani ~~~~~ PROTECTION AND SECURITY FOR THE IMAM Visitors looking into one of the tunnels in the Maqam al Imam in Syria. The Maqam is thought to hold the tombs of Imams Taqi ...
"I believe that there is no such thing as an underdeveloped country -- only under-managed countries and for me the most important word is accountability. We must be accountable at all times to the organisations we serve and to the people we serve." His Highness the Aga Khan's 1986 CBC interview with Roy Bonisteel (Canada) ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ "[Good ...
This week's selection is His Highness the Aga Khan's 2005 Address to the International Press Institute, 54th General Assembly, in Nairobi Kenya. An adapted version of the speech was printed under the title Closing Africa's journalism deficit in the Jerusalem Post, the Jordan Times and Pakistan's Daily Times. In this insightful speech, the Aga Khan discusses "the adequacy of journalistic knowledge ...
Simerg published over one hundred fine pieces in 2011. Simerg Blend is a varied selection from these readings for you to enjoy during the holiday period leading into the New Year - 2012! The coming year.... As Simerg prepares to mark its third anniversary in March, we propose to launch an exciting new educational series under the title The Name Is....The ...
"Quality education at all levels is, and has been, critically important for all societies at all times. In the developing world education offers the poor: opportunities for new futures; women; higher status, and new roles in their families and communities; migrants: an asset that is portable; and refugees: an asset that is both portable and secure. For these reasons, the Aga ...
At the Ismaili Centre by Izzat Muneyb As soon as I enter the Ismaili Centre, What do I see in Arabic calligraphy? Bismi'llaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem Is what I see. "In the name of Allah Most Kind, Most Merciful." In the name of Allah I begin all things, In the name of Allah I conceive all thoughts; In the name of Allah I complete ...
Pakistan -- Part of a seismically unstable zone that is prone to earthquakes, floods, landslides and droughts, Pakistan's northern region has long been home to a signifiant Ismaili population. Several new purpose-built jamatkhana projects blend traditional building with new disaster-resistant techniques. From design and construction to finished product, the new structures offer a model to uplifit the quality of habitat throughout ...
"With so many social and economic needs still unmet around the world, why is culture so important? Conventional thinking suggests that there is a sequence that must be followed in every instance -- first addressing humanitarian and social needs, then economic challenges and finally, perhaps, culture. We have found, however, that the equation is not so simple. Culture itself can be ...
"What was the power, what were the centres of force which provided the [Umayyad and Abbasid] Caliphates with the material to govern? From whence came the unifying force which allowed these immense empires to weld together peoples of different languages, ethnic origins and cultures? "The Caliphates drew administrative machinery from some of the greatest centres of learning which have ever existed. ...
Nutrition Centre -- Few children are born with a liking for every vegetable, but researchers wondered if infants could learn to enjoy a specific vegetable, and how many tastes it would take. Their studies show that while it may take more than 10 attempts to get the child to try something new, with encouragement children can get used to flavours, textures ...
"It is a privilege to be associated with a university which has remained true for so many centuries to the principle that the fruits of learning are to be at the service of all humanity. In Islam, this is a core principle of belief. In that tradition, my forefathers, the Fatimid Imam-Caliphs of Egypt, who founded al-Azhar University and the Academy ...
