Gems of Wisdom

The Holy Qur’an has been a source of inspiration for Muslims through the ages. His Highness the Aga Khan delivered this opening address at an international conference titled “Word of God, Art of Man: The Qur’an and its Creative Expressions,” organised by The Institute of Ismaili Studies on 19 October 2003 in London. Click here to read the speech.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture was created in 1977 to help revitalise the rich Muslim architectural traditions that were being lost in the modern world. His Highness the Aga Khan spoke about the impact and future direction of the award at the 13th prize-giving ceremony held on 6 November 2016 in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.   Click here to read the speech.

In a globalised world, one of the major challenges is that diverse peoples, cultures, and religions are increasingly in contact with one another, which, at times, leads to conflict and even violence. His Highness the Aga Khan has been a major champion for pluralism, valuing diversity as a strength rather than a threat. He delivered this LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture on the 15th of October 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Please note that although the majority of this speech is in English, it does contain some portions in French. A translation is available below and on the Aga Khan Development Network website.   [I consider it a great honour and I was very moved to have been invited to deliver this lecture at the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium. I must say, dear Madame Clarkson, that I am even more moved by your very flattering comments. It is also a great pleasure to be among so many friends, old and new, here in Toronto, and I am particularly pleased to have been introduced, as I have just said, so warmly this evening by my good friends John Ralston Saul and Adrienne Clarkson. I feel deeply grateful for this very kind invitation and for your generous welcome.] Click here to read the speech.

In societies that face pressing social and economic needs, investing in cultural heritage is sometimes considered wasteful or excessive. His Highness the Aga Khan has long argued that protecting and revitalising cultural heritage is a positive contributor to the socio-economic development of societies. He delivered this keynote address at the 50th anniversary conference of the International Council on Monuments and Sites on 22 October 2015, in London.  Click here to read the speech.

His Highness the Aga Khan has, over many decades, argued for the importance of investing in high quality education for all. He considers an educated population essential for a peaceful, stable and productive society. The Aga Khan delivered the Peterson Lecture at the annual meeting of the International Baccalaureate on 18 April 2008 in Atlanta, USA.   Click here to read the speech.   

Gems of Wisdom offers a chance to reflect on issues of international development, peacebuilding, pluralism, education, culture, faith, and more, through the speeches of 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.   AKDN is one of the world’s largest international development organisations, dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. Taking a holistic, long-term approach to sustainable development, AKDN operates in the areas of education, healthcare, cultural heritage, agriculture, disaster preparedness and response, and economic growth.    As Shia Muslims, Ismailis believe in the succession of hereditary Imams, or spiritual leaders, from among the descendants of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny). Each Imam interprets the faith and seeks to improve the quality of life of the community and the societies in which they live. Therefore, the speeches in this podcast address a variety of subjects, intertwining spiritual and worldly matters together. They reflect a decades-long engagement in international development and with issues facing modern Muslim societies.