Gems of Wisdom

“Building an effective cosmopolitan ethic in a fragmented world” - Cambridge, USA, 12 November 2015

In 2015, His Highness the Aga Khan was invited to deliver the prestigious Jodidi lecture at Harvard University, the university that he graduated from in 1959. In this speech, made on 12 November 2015, he addressed the topic of “The Cosmopolitan Ethic in a fragmented world.”Click here to read the speech.

“An education for success in the modern world” - Osh, Kyrgyz Republic, 30 October 2002

To assist the development of several former Soviet republics in Central Asia as they transitioned into independent nations, the Aga Khan Development Network began to establish various institutions, particularly in education. His Highness the Aga Khan spoke about what constitutes a successful education in the modern world in this speech at the opening of the Aga Khan School in Osh in the Kyrgyz Republic on 30 October 2002.
 
Click here to read the speech.

“Touching the very foundations of my ancestors, the Fatimids” - Cairo, Egypt, 25 March 2005

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture converted a centuries-old rubbish dump in historic Cairo into the spectacular Al-Azhar Park. This was the first of several parks and gardens that have become catalysts for change in many ways - environmental, social, economic, and educational. His Highness the Aga Khan addressed the evolution of the Al-Azhar Park project in this speech at the inauguration ceremony on 25 March 2005.
 
Click here to read the speech.

“A clash of ignorance” - Houston, USA, 23 June 2002

The 9/11 terrorist attacks that took place in the United States in 2001 have had a profound impact on the relationship between Western societies and Muslim-majority societies. His Highness the Aga Khan visited the United States the following year and made this speech in Houston on 23 June 2002, at a banquet attended by the Governor of Texas, other government officials, and civil society leaders.
 
Click here to read the speech.

“Leading participants in the knowledge society” - Karachi, Pakistan, 6 December 2006

Centuries ago, Muslim societies were among the leading civilisations in the world, driven by and building upon the discovery of new knowledge. His Highness the Aga Khan raised the question of how modern Muslim societies can strengthen themselves by becoming leading participants in today’s knowledge society in this speech at the Aga Khan University’s convocation in Karachi, Pakistan on 6 December 2006.Click here to read the speech.

“The spiritual roots of tolerance” - Tutzing, Germany, 12 February 2006

As a strong proponent of pluralism, His Highness the Aga Khan has often emphasised its spiritual roots, in various world religions. He was presented with the Tolerance Award by the Tutzing Evangelical Academy in Germany, where he delivered this speech on 12 February 2006. 
Click here to read the speech.

“The Holy Prophet's life gives us every fundamental guideline that we require” - Karachi, Pakistan, 12 March 1976

Diverse Muslim societies and communities are searching for ways to bridge the traditional teachings of Islam with the modern challenges of today’s world. His Highness the Aga Khan delivered this Presidential address at the International Seerat Conference, a gathering of Islamic scholars hosted by the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs in Karachi, on 12 March 1976. 
 
Click here to read the speech.

“A place for contemplation and search for enlightenment” - Dubai, UAE, 13 December 2003

The Ismaili Centres are high profile, ambassadorial buildings. They incorporate a Jamatkhana as a place of prayer for the Ismaili community, alongside secular spaces that also serve wider society. Jamatkhanas are one of the diverse spaces of worship found among Muslim communities globally. His Highness the Aga Khan gave this speech on 13 December 2003 at the foundation ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
 
Click here to read the speech.

“In Islamic thought… beauty and mystery are not separated from intellect” - Ottawa, Canada, 6 December 2008

The architecture of the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, Canada is inspired by the mysteries of rock crystal. His Highness the Aga Khan spoke about this symbolism and of the relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and Canada in this speech at the opening ceremony on 6 December 2008.
 
Click here to read the speech. 

“Musical language as an elemental expression of human spirituality” - Lisbon, Portugal, 31 March 2019

While rich musical traditions exist in Muslim societies, some interpretations of Islam reject music as not permissible. His Highness the Aga Khan spoke about the importance of the musical traditions of the Muslim world in this speech at the first prize-giving ceremony of the Aga Khan Music Awards on 31 March 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal.
 
Click here to read the speech.