Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

Madame Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO,
Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

My warmest thanks go to all of you who have received us so generously here in Hangzhou, our Chinese hosts and our many friends from UNESCO.

I am honoured by your invitation, and pleased for this opportunity to talk about two subjects that are very close to my heart – culture and development.

Lisbon, 30 April 2013 – The shortlist of nominees for the 2013 cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture was announced today at the Palacio das Necessidades (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The 20 nominees for the US$ 1 million prize range from a modern high rise apartment block to the revival of traditional building techniques. Shortlisted projects, which are selected by an independent Master Jury, are located in Afghanistan, Austria, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand and Yemen. The shortlist includes:

Aiglemont, France, 26 April 2013 -- His Highness the Aga Khan today announced the engagement of his eldest son, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, to Ms. Kendra Spears of Seattle, Washington, the United States.

The Aga Khan, who is the Spiritual Leader or Imam of the global community of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, said he was delighted to announce the engagement.

Madame Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen

I thank the Government of Norway and Minister Johnson for the invitation to speak here this morning and for her generous words of introduction. Madame Minister, the exchanges we have enjoyed since we met yesterday has been highly constructive.

I am particularly honoured to be speaking at the Nobel Institute, respected worldwide for its promotion and recognition of exceptional endeavours to reduce human conflict.

VICTORIA - To mark this occasion, Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement:

"It is a pleasure to congratulate His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on the occasion of his birthday.

"For millions of Ismailis around the globe, His Highness provides spiritual guidance, but since becoming the Aga Khan over 50 years ago, has also become one of the world's greatest statesmen. His work to build bridges across religious and ethnic divides has resulted in real change. His Highness also has been a tireless advocate for peace, prosperity, and equality.

The Ismaili community across British Columbia will gather for a prayer Thursday evening to recognize His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan’s 76th birthday.

“It’s a very important time for everyone to celebrate and reflect on the vast work that His Highness has undertaken around the world,” said Ali Solehdin, a volunteer from within the Ismaili community.

Son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan, the Aga Khan was born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva. He spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, and then attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland for nine years. He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history.