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.