What's New

Webcast: Aga Khan Music Awards gala concert and prize-giving ceremony
30 March 2019

The 2019 Aga Khan Music Awards will conclude with a gala concert and prize-giving ceremony on Sunday 31 March in Lisbon, Portugal. Each of the Laureates will perform at the event, after which His Excellency President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Mawlana Hazar Imam will present the awards. The event is scheduled to begin at 5 PM GMT+1 and will be webcast live at the.ismaili/live.

The Seminar panel was composed of members of the Aga Khan Music Awards Master Jury, Steering Committee, and Secretariat.
The Seminar panel was composed of members of the Aga Khan Music Awards Master Jury, Steering Committee, and Secretariat.
Aga Khan Music Awards’ inaugural Seminar hosted in Lisbon
Aga Khan Music Awards’ inaugural Seminar hosted in Lisbon
30 March 2019

On the third day of the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards, eminent figures in the realm of arts and music came together to participate in discussions relating to the concept, vision, and impact of the Awards. The Seminar was attended by Mawlana Hazar Imam, Prince Amyn, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad.

Prince Amyn, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad applaud the finalists of the Aga Khan Music Awards’ Award in Performance category.
Prince Amyn, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad applaud the finalists of the Aga Khan Music Awards’ Award in Performance category.
Distinguished finalists perform for Master Jury at Aga Khan Music Awards
Distinguished finalists perform for Master Jury at Aga Khan Music Awards
29 March 2019

Earlier today, finalists for the Aga Khan Music Awards’ Award in Performance category performed for a live audience, which included Prince Amyn, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad.

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon on 29 March 2019 to preside over the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards.
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon on 29 March 2019 to preside over the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards.
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Lisbon to preside over Aga Khan Music Awards
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Lisbon to preside over Aga Khan Music Awards
29 March 2019

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon today to preside over the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards ceremony. Taking place from 29-31 March at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Aga Khan Music Awards will feature three days of concerts and events honouring laureates in the six domains being recognised by the Award.

Nobovar Chanorov (2nd from right) and the Shams group shared a medley of Pamiri sounds to an enthralled audience at the Ismaili Centre, London.
Nobovar Chanorov (2nd from right) and the Shams group shared a medley of Pamiri sounds to an enthralled audience at the Ismaili Centre, London.
Nobovar and Shams Band amplify musical heritage of Badakhshan
Nobovar and Shams Band amplify musical heritage of Badakhshan
28 March 2019

For communities residing among the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan, music is part of everyday life, appreciated and practiced at every opportunity. On 28 March 2019, Nobovar Chanorov and the Shams group of music artists shared a medley of Pamiri sounds to an enthralled audience at the Ismaili Centre, London.

Video: Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Lisbon for Aga Khan Music Awards
28 March 2019

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon on 29 March to preside over the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards ceremony. Hazar Imam was greeted at Lisbon’s Figo Maduro airport by Rahim Firozali, President of the Ismaili Council for Portugal, and Nazim Ahmad, Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to the Portuguese Republic.

Master Musicians performing along with the Gulbenkian Orchestra at the first event of the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards.

Aga Khan Music Initiative Masters Concert

Master Musicians performing along with the Gulbenkian Orchestra at the first event of the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards.
Video: Aga Khan Music Initiative Masters Concert grand finale
28 March 2019

The Aga Khan Music Awards opened with a concert on 29 March, featuring the Gulbenkian Orchestra, led by maestro Pedro Neves, which performed new works with Master Musicians of the Aga Khan Music Initiative from Tajikistan, Syria, and Afghanistan, in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam and members of his family. This video features the grand finale performance of the concert.

Fairouz Nishanova joined AKDN in 2000 and has served as Director of the Aga Khan Music Initiative since 2005. In this capacity, she has overseen the creation of the Aga Khan Music Awards’ structure and the organisation of its inaugural ceremony.
Fairouz Nishanova joined AKDN in 2000 and has served as Director of the Aga Khan Music Initiative since 2005. In this capacity, she has overseen the creation of the Aga Khan Music Awards’ structure and the organisation of its inaugural ceremony.
Interview with Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Initiative
Interview with Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Initiative
28 March 2019

As part of a series of interviews, Fairouz Nishanova discusses the work of the Aga Khan Music Initiative (AKMI), and its positive impact in strengthening community, identity, and access to diverse forms of cultural expression. The.Ismaili is pleased to publish this interview ahead of the inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards to commence later today.

Sirojiddin Juraev performing along the Gulbenkian Orchestra conducted by Pedro Neves.
Sirojiddin Juraev performing along the Gulbenkian Orchestra conducted by Pedro Neves.
Inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards opens with eclectic collaboration of sounds
Inaugural Aga Khan Music Awards opens with eclectic collaboration of sounds
28 March 2019

On 29 March, the Gulbenkian Orchestra, led by maestro Pedro Neves, performed new works with Master Musicians of the Aga Khan Music Initiative from Tajikistan, Syria, and Afghanistan, in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam and members of his family.

Mawlana Hazar Imam with Isabel Mota, President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; Prince Amyn, and Francisco Lacerda, CEO of the CTT (Portuguese Postal Services).
Mawlana Hazar Imam with Isabel Mota, President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; Prince Amyn, and Francisco Lacerda, CEO of the CTT (Portuguese Postal Services).
Video: Aga Khan Music Awards stamp cancellation ceremony
28 March 2019

Prior to the concert held on 29 March for the Aga Khan Music Awards, the CEO of CTT (Portugal Postal Services) Francisco Lacerda unveiled a special commemorative stamp in honour of the Awards. Mawlana Hazar Imam signed one of the first day covers of the commemorative stamp along with Prince Amyn, Isabel Mota, President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and Raul Moreira, Head of Philately at CTT.

Webcast: Aga Khan Music Awards opening event
28 March 2019

The 2019 Aga Khan Music Awards will open with a concert on Friday 29 March in which the Gulbenkian Orchestra, led by maestro Pedro Neves, will perform new works with Master Musicians of the Aga Khan Music Initiative from Tajikistan, Syria, and Afghanistan. The event is expected to begin at 9 PM GMT and will be webcast at the.ismaili/live.

Members of the Canadian Jamat participate in a music video for the devotional song "Aaya Mawlana" written and composed by Zaheed Damani and Alya Bejaoui.
Members of the Canadian Jamat participate in a music video for the devotional song "Aaya Mawlana" written and composed by Zaheed Damani and Alya Bejaoui.
Devotional music: A timeless art of mysticism, beauty, and connectivity
Devotional music: A timeless art of mysticism, beauty, and connectivity
28 March 2019

In 1978, the Canadian Jamat awaited Hazar Imam’s first visit to Canada with excitement. Shamshu Jamal, a talented Vancouver musician, expressed his joy on this blessed occasion by composing “Maara Mawla Canada Padhaarshe,” the devotional music piece that would go on to become an iconic musical tribute in the Canadian Ismaili community for generations.

Show secondary sidebar menu: