Gems of Wisdom

The Ismaili
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  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Gems of Wisdom, a selection of speeches by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network.

  1. 12/31/2025

    “My wish for the decades ahead” - New York, USA, 1 November 2017 and Aiglemont, France, 16 December 2016

    In this final episode of Gems of Wisdom, we will hear two very short but impactful speeches in which the Aga Khan spoke passionately about his aspirations for the future. First, he reflected on his work towards building peace in the world in this speech on receiving the Asia Society’s Game Changer Lifetime Achievement Award in New York City, USA on 1 November 2017.    The Aga Khan also discussed his hopes and aspirations for the future of the Ismaili Jamat, or community, in this speech from his 80th birthday celebration held at his residence at Aiglemont in France on 16 December 2016.

    9 min

  2. 12/24/2025

    “My beloved spiritual children” - Salamiyya, Syria, 10 November 2001

    This penultimate episode of Gems of Wisdom will feature a different kind of address from the public speeches heard in previous episodes. As a faith leader, the Aga Khan provided Ismaili communities around the world with spiritual and worldly guidance for almost seven decades. While these religious gatherings were usually private for Ismailis only, occasionally he spoke to large outdoor public gatherings, including this address, known as an Irshad, made on 10 November 2001 in Salamiyya, Syria.

    10 min

  3. 12/17/2025

    “A very significant moment in my own life” - Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic, 19 June 2021

    Gems of Wisdom will be drawing to a close with three special episodes. In this third last episode, we will hear the Aga Khan’s final public speech made during his lifetime, which also marked an important milestone event. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aga Khan gave a virtual address in this speech to the first Convocation ceremony of the University of Central Asia in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic on 19 June 2021.    Click here to read the speech.

    11 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    “We would never become a demotivated, marginalised community” - Ottawa, Canada, 27 November 2013

    After Uganda’s President Idi Amin expelled all South Asians from the country in 1972, thousands of Ugandan Ismaili refugees ended up rebuilding their lives and community institutions in Canada and the United Kingdom. The Aga Khan discussed the spirit of resilience that inspired the architecture of the Ismaili Centres and other buildings in this speech to the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada on 27 November 2013 in Ottawa, Canada. Please note that although the majority of this speech is in English, it does begin in French. A translation is available in the podcast’s transcript and on the Aga Khan Development Network website.   Click here to read the speech.

    15 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    “The ripple effect that a teacher can have” - Northern Areas, Pakistan, 19 October 2000

    In a merit-based world, one important factor in helping children progress in developing societies is the quality of teaching they receive. The Aga Khan spoke about the need to strengthen teaching capacity in this speech at the inauguration of the Professional Development Centre in the Northern Areas of Pakistan on 19 October 2000. Click here to read the speech.

    16 min

  6. 11/26/2025

    “Democracy can fail anywhere, at any time, in any society” - Gatineau, Canada, 19 May 2004

    In recent years, a number of democracies have been failing around the world, contributing to global instability and conflict. The Aga Khan discussed the ways in which democracy can be strengthened in this speech at the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference on 19 May 2004 in Gatineau, Canada. Click here to read the speech.

    28 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    “Zanzibar was a significant focal point for this region of the world” - Zanzibar, Tanzania, 30 July 2009

    The island of Zanzibar on East Africa’s Swahili coast has been a cultural and economic crossroad for centuries. The Aga Khan discussed the history and future of Zanzibar as a place of pluralistic exchange in this speech at the inauguration of the revitalised Forodhani Park on 30 July 2009 in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Click here to read the speech.

    15 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    “The problem of persistent global poverty” - Washington, D.C., USA, 22 April 2009

    One of the great challenges in the world today is addressing the problem of global poverty, especially in the developing world. The Aga Khan discussed the need for developed and developing societies to work together in tackling the challenges of poverty in this speech at the Global Philanthropy Forum on 22 April 2009 in Washington, D.C., USA. Click here to read the speech.

    27 min
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About

Welcome to Gems of Wisdom, a selection of speeches by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Information

  • Creator
    The Ismaili
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Islamic Publications Limited
  • Show Website
    Gems of Wisdom

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