Gems of Wisdom

The Ismaili

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. 5 DAYS AGO

    “A symbol of the hopes of people who lived through change and turbulence” - Houston, USA, 23 June 2002

    In recent decades, Ismaili Muslim communities in North America and Europe have grown significantly, often caused by people fleeing political instability and conflict. As a symbol of the community’s growing presence in the United States, the Aga Khan opened a new Jamatkhana, the place of worship used by Ismailis, during a visit to Texas in 2002. This was also his first visit to America after the 9/11 attacks. He spoke about his aspirations for the new building in this speech at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Houston, USA on 23 June 2002. Click here to read the speech.

    13 min

  2. 22 OCT

    “Without cultural identity, social cohesion gradually dissolves” - Amsterdam, Netherlands, 7 September 2002

    Respecting diverse cultural identities is essential to building peaceful societies, especially in the developing world. The Aga Khan discussed the relationship between cultural identity and pluralism in the context of development in this speech at the Prince Claus Fund's Conference on culture and development in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 7 September 2002. Click here to read the speech.

    20 min

  3. 15 OCT

    “The promise of democracy has too often been disappointed” - New York, USA, 15 May 2006

    Strengthening democracy and governance is critical to improving quality of life and offering hope to people living in developing societies. The Aga Khan offered four suggestions to build more stable democracies in this speech at the graduation ceremony at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs on 15 May 2006 in New York, USA. Click here to read the speech.

    29 min

  4. 8 OCT

    “Confronting the knowledge deficit which now plagues too many Islamic societies” - Cairo, Egypt, 15 June 2006

    In recent decades, new technologies have caused agricultural and industrial societies to be replaced by what has been called the knowledge society. The Aga Khan discussed how Muslim societies can reclaim their position as knowledge societies of the future in this speech at the American University in Cairo on 15 June 2006 in Cairo, Egypt. Click here to read the speech.

    17 min

  5. 1 OCT

    “Ignorance could yield to understanding through the power of education” - London, UK, 26 June 2018

    In an effort to research and raise awareness about the rich diversity and intellectual contributions of Muslim civilisations, including Ismailis, two academic institutions were established by the Ismaili Imamat in the United Kingdom, namely The Institute of Ismaili Studies and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. The Aga Khan discussed these educational endeavours in this speech at the opening of the Aga Khan Centre in London, UK on 26 June 2018. Click here to read the speech.

    11 min

  6. 24 SEPT

    “Pluralism is the indispensable foundation for human peace and progress” - Ottawa, Canada, 16 May 2017

    The Global Centre for Pluralism was established as a partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of Canada, working to influence perspectives, inform policies and inspire actions to advance pluralism. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed his aspirations for the Centre in this speech at the opening of the headquarters of the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, Canada on 16 May 2017. Please note that although the majority of this speech is in English, it does contain a short section 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.

    11 min

  7. 17 SEPT

    “When hope fades, extremist ideologies feed on the despair” - Toledo, Spain, 2 March 2006

    Investing in cultural heritage can have a positive impact on the quality of life in developing societies, offering hope to poor and vulnerable communities. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV spoke about the AKDN’s work in cultural preservation in this speech at the Royal Toledo Foundation award ceremony on 2 March 2006 in Toledo, Spain.    Click here to read the speech.

    9 min

  8. 10 SEPT

    “A for-profit international development agency” - Athi River, Kenya, 19 December 2003

    The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, or AKFED, is a for-profit agency that reinvests all of its profits into future development activities. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV discussed the work and impact that AKFED companies seek to make in this speech at the opening of Alltex EPZ Ltd in Athi River, Kenya on 19 December 2003.    Click here to read the speech

    16 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
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Islamic Publications Limited
  • Show Website
    Gems of Wisdom

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