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  • Mawlana Hazar Imam introduces the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Naushad Jivraj, President of the Ismaili Council for the UK.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    Mawlana Hazar Imam introduces the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Naushad Jivraj, President of the Ismaili Council for the UK. Photo: Kensington Palace
  • Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, overlooking the Garden of Light at the Aga Khan Centre.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, overlooking the Garden of Light at the Aga Khan Centre. Photo: Anya Campbell
  • The Duke of Cambridge signs the guest book at the Aga Khan Centre, as Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Duchess of Cambridge look on.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    The Duke of Cambridge signs the guest book at the Aga Khan Centre, as Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Duchess of Cambridge look on. Photo: Anya Campbell
  • Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, at the Aga Khan Centre in London.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, at the Aga Khan Centre in London. Photo: Anya Campbell
  • Mawlana Hazar Imam shares a light moment with Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    Mawlana Hazar Imam shares a light moment with Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo: Anya Campbell
  • Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with Their Royal Highnesses, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with Their Royal Highnesses, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria. Photo: Anya Campbell
  • Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with Their Royal Highnesses, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    Mawlana Hazar Imam in conversation with Their Royal Highnesses, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria. Photo: Anya Campbell
  • The Duchess of Cambridge shares a moment with a student from the Kings Cross Academy.
    The Ismaili | 01 October 2019 | Global

    Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Aga Khan Centre

    The Duchess of Cambridge shares a moment with a student from the Kings Cross Academy. Photo: Anya Campbell
Related Information
Video: Mawlana Hazar Imam hosts The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

On a crisp autumnal morning in London’s King’s Cross, Mawlana Hazar Imam welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Aga Khan Centre, for a special event to celebrate the culture and heritage of Pakistan, and the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora to British society.

The event was attended by prominent figures from the areas of arts and culture, business, community development, entertainment, and music from the UK and Pakistan, as well as members of the diplomatic community. 

Their Royal Highnesses had an opportunity to meet with guests and individuals whose interests and engagements encompass the wide-ranging relationship between the UK and Pakistan, including members of the Pakistani diaspora making a meaningful contribution to society in the United Kingdom and beyond. 

The occasion was hosted in collaboration with the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria. Guests at the event included the High Commissioner of the UK to Pakistan, Thomas Drew CBE, writer Shazia Mirza, conceptual artist Rasheed Araeen, MasterChef winner Saliha Mahmoud Ahmed, comedian Adil Ray, recording artist Shahid Khan, and award-winning architectural designer Saira Hussain.

President of the Ismaili Council for the UK, Naushad Jivraj, explained that, “Today’s event celebrated the longstanding relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the British Royal Family. It was an honour to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to the Aga Khan Centre. Today, the Ismaili community is present in various countries of the commonwealth, including the UK, where we are making a significant contribution to civil society.”

Matt Reed, CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation (UK), said “It was wonderful to be part of today’s event hosted by His Highness the Aga Khan in cooperation with His Excellency the High Commissioner of Pakistan. For over a century, AKDN has worked towards the sustained improvement of quality of life in Pakistan, through schools, health centres, civil society, and more. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were interested to learn about our work, ahead of their official visit to Pakistan later this month.” 

Upon their departure from the Aga Khan Centre, the Duke and Duchess stopped to meet and converse with a group of schoolchildren, including hard-of-hearing children, from the Kings Cross Academy.

Situated in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter, the Aga Khan Centre is home to organisations that serve as bridges in building understanding about Muslim cultures and societies, and connect the public to global development issues. The building was officially opened by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam, during his Diamond Jubilee visit to the UK in June 2018.