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2012, December 10: Paris, France - President Asif Ali Zardari and Prince Karim Agha Khan shaking hands before their meeting at Hotel Plaza Athenee. Prince Karim Agha Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, today called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at Hotel Plaza Athenee. He congratulated the President and the Government of Pakistan on organizing, along with UNESCO, a high level event for the promotion of education in Pakistan.

His Highness the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims yesterday committed himself to support democratic processes, to find means to help the ultra-poor, and to address political and theological tensions through consensus amongst all Muslims.

The Aga Khan was speaking at a ceremony that marked the 50th anniversary of his accession to the Ismaili Imamat. He succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan as the 49th hereditary Imam on 11th July 1957. The colourful ceremony was attended by over 250 leaders from the Ismaili community from some 25 countries.

The Aga Khan's Dalkala won in a head bob at the finish line to deny favorite Tasaday in a Prix de l'Opera Longines thriller Oct. 6 at Longchamp.

Silasol led early tracked by multiple French group winner Tasaday and Secret Gesture but entering the straight faded out of it as Christophe Soumillon urged Tasaday into command. Dalkala moved from midpack to run with Tasaday and doggedly pursued the front-runner down the stretch, drawing even in the final strides before thrusting her nose in front to win a tight photo.

Thistle Bird uncorked a strong rally to take third, a neck back.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp started off in the best possible fashion for the Aga Khan as the owner celebrated a winner in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay.

It was Valirann, a course-and-distance winner in Group Three company last month, who stepped up one grade with Christophe Soumillon producing him with a strong late run and holding off stern challenges from Montclair and Lucky Loo in a head-bob.

British raider Nearly Caught attemped to make all of the mile and seven furlongs but weakened in the closing stages and was sixth.

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.

Vanity Fair - February 2013 features an article and interview of H.H. The Aga Khan: The Aga Khan’s Earthly Kingdom - Multi-billionaire prince, spiritual leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims, and one-man state, the fourth Aga Khan defies all boundaries. Photographs by Jonathan Becker.

Hazar Imam at Longchamps for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2012-10-07

On the 2nd day of the Qatar Prix De l'Arc de Triomphe, Ridasiyna wearing the Aga Khan's racing colours won the 5th Race - the Prix de L'Opera Longines - at odds of more than 16 to 1. Ridasiyna was raced by the jockey CP Lemaire who had also won the previous day with Dalkala.

In this 5th Race, the Aga Khan also had Sagawara wearing his racing colours of green top with red stripe. The jockey for Sagawara was S. Bosse.

Dalkala won the 5th Race for H.H. The Aga Khan on the Opening day of the 2012 Arc d'Triomphe at Longchamps. This 5th Race - the Qatar Prix de Royallieu - had the highest winners' purse in the amount of 250,000.00 euros for this day.

The Aga Khan's racing colors were represented by 4 horses in Races 2,3, 5 and 6 with the jockey for all races being CP Lemaire.

Race 2 horse was Verema, Race 3 had Sarkiyla, Race 5 was run by the winner Dalkala and Race 6 was run by Parisham.

The Aga Khan, Prince Karim Al Husseini, has again proved why he’s France’s most influential owner-breeder, landing the prestigious Prix de Diane horse race for a record seventh time.

Discours de Monsieur Frédéric Mitterrand à l'occasion de la remise de décorations à Son Altesse l’Aga Khan (Commandeur dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres) et au Prince Amyn Aga Khan (Officier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres)

Votre Altesse,

Cher Prince Amyn,

His Highness the Aga Khan with his brother Prince Amyn Aga Khan at the Ministry of Culture in Paris after they were decorated for their work in culture.

Paris, France, 9 November 2010 - The French Republic betowed the title of "Commandeur dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres." To H. H. the Aga Khan as well as "Officier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres" to His Brother Prince Amyn.

Paris, France, 9 November 2010 - The French Minister for Culture and Communication, Frédéric Mitterrand, on behalf of the French government, today conveyed honours on His Highness the Aga Khan and his brother Prince Amyn Aga Khan. Recognising their contributions to culture, both personally and through the various activities of the Aga Khan Development Network, the Minister noted that the promotion of culture had a privileged position amongst all of their multiple activities, because “you are convinced of its importance in the process of improving the quality of life globally”.

Gouvieux, France (Vocus) October 29, 2010

The Aga Khan Development Network Foundation (AKDN Foundation) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) agreed today to intensify joint efforts to broaden access to quality education for students across the developing world and provide richer and more global perspectives to those in the industrialised world.