Alhamdulillah! We are truly fortunate to be led by the progeny of Prophet Abraham and Prophet Muhammad (sas)

And even more blessed to be members of the community led by the Prince of Peace of the world. Allâhumâ salli alâ Muhammadin wa âle Muhammad (O Allah! Bestow Peace on Muhammad and his Descendants) We have every reason to rejoice on his birthday anniversary as we rejoice on the birthday anniversaries of our beloved Prophet Muhammad and Hazrat Ali.

"In Islam, the Holy Koran says that man is God’s noblest creation to whom He has entrusted the stewardship of all that is on earth. Each generation must leave for its successors an enhanced and sustainable social and physical environment. I am sure every responsible citizen in every part of the world would share this aspiration." - from Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Ninth Award Cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture at the AKDN site

How can we as his Murids, do more for our world and for our spiritual uplift?

"With respect to relations between the Western and Islamic worlds, are we not seeing a conflict of stereotypes and prejudices, exacerbated by a good measure of ignorance about Islam? There are, of course, some differences, but if superficiality and trivialisation can be set aside, and be replaced by the will to go deeper to seek a solid foundation for mutual understanding and respect, it can be found in the common heritage of the Abrahamic faiths and the ethical principles that they share."-- His Highness the Aga Khan, speaking at the presentation ceremony for The Aga Khan Award for Architecture on 6 November 2001.

Islam has the answer to the world's problems by following the true teachings of Islam, i.e. equality of all humans (isn't this why the Christian and Jewish faiths flourished when Islam was ruling the world?), by bringing the quest for material goods in real perspective i.e. not giving up our spiritual practices in the pursuit of material happiness. All of us should be the ambassadors of Islam and show the world that the "terrorist" label is not one that belongs to Islam. Let us do our part in educating everyone about what it means to be a Muslim, this year and every year. Inshallah!

"The essence (batin) of Ismailism remains unchanged but the external aspect (zahir) changes.  The Nizari Ismailies believe that the first man who existed on earth was an Imam and the last will also be an Imam...These two are in essence the same, the archetype of the Spirit that pervades the whole of Creation.  As Imam Ali is reported to have stated in the Sermon of the Great Declaration (khutbat al-bayan): "I am the First and the Last."  All Imams are thus understood in Ismaili doctrine to be one of the same essence transmitting the Sophia Perennis (Eternal Wisdom) to the seekers of enlightenment from generation to generation until the end of time."

 - Diana Steigerwald, (The Multiple Facets of Ismailism, Sacred Web, Volume 9, pp. 87, July 2002)

Awards Received since his last birthday

Alcan Prize For Sustainability US$1 Million Awarded to Aga Khan Planning And Building Services December 7, 2005 by the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) for its efforts to improve Pakistan’s built environment and water and sanitation facilities
Aga Khan Receives Die Quadriga 2005 Prize in Recognition of the Work of the Aga Khan Development Network October 3, 2005 - “While bringing people together, His Highness is striving not to diminish or remove cultural and religious differences, but to promote their acceptance and to work for a harmonious diversity,” President Karzai said. “It is this belief in an inclusive world that makes him an inspirational leader of our time.”
Aga Khan Awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy October 4, 2005. "The Aga Khan's values of pluralism, multiculturalism, and strengthening civil society are those we must all emulate." Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Aga Khan Conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters, by the American University of BeirutJune 25, 2005 - the University praised the Aga Khan as “an avid philanthropist standing at the head of a network of service institutions focused on the have-nots of the world, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.” http://www.akdn.org/news/2005June06_Ottawa2.html
Aga Khan Receives Order of Canada June 6, 2005 - Canada’s highest formal civilian tribute, “in recognition of his life of generosity, of thoughtful stewardship, and of benevolent spiritual direction” - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada
Aga Khan Receives Smithsonian Institution's National Building Museum’s Vincent Scully Prize Washington, DC, January 26, 2005 "in tribute to the immense impact the Aga Khan is making, creating a beautiful window through which we can view the Muslim world."

Index of Speeches made by Mowlana Hazar Imam at AKDN site