Ismaili Centres Archive
Situated across the road from the Ismaili Centre, Dubai, the Dubai Park is a gift from Mawlana Hazar Imam to the city of Dubai.
The Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe was opened on 12 October 2009 by His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Mawlana Hazar Imam. It is the first such Centre in Central Asia – a region that has been home to Ismaili Muslims for more than a thousand years.
A compilation of resources on TheIsmaili.org and elsewhere about the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe.
The Ismaili Centre’s design brief called for a synthesis between the ethics, values and traditions of faith, and the requirements of contemporary society. Revitalising historical memory while nourishing innovation, the design concept encouraged the use of indigenous materials, patterns, colours, textures and shapes, yet asked that its functionality and efficiency embody the aspirations of future generations.
Video of the development of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai.
Video of Mawlana Hazar Imam opening the Ismaili Centre, Dubai on 26 March 2008. Following the opening of the Centre, Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurated the Dubai Park, located adjacent to the Centre.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 30 August 2003 – His Highness the Aga Khan today launched a landmark cultural centre here marking a milestone in the 1 300 year history of the Ismaili Muslim community in Central Asia.
Lisbon, 11th July, 1998 – The role of faith organisations in addressing development challenges and the principles underlying Portugal’s draft law on religious freedom could yield model legislation for a more ethnically and religiously diverse Europe. Portugal’s President Jorge Sampaio and His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, today echoed this shared sentiment at the inauguration of a landmark building for cultural and social interaction in the centre of Lisbon.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Brian Mulroney, today (Friday August 23rd) officially opened the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Present at the ceremony were the Aga Khan, Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, Mr. Bill Bennett, the Premier of British Columbia, federal and provincial government ministers, diplomats, and Ismaili leaders from around the world.
The British Prime Minister, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, today (Wednesday April 24) officially opened the Ismaili Centre, London. Present at the ceremony were the Aga Khan, Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, Government ministers, members of Parliament, diplomats and leaders of the Ismaili Community from around the world.
Beginning in the 1970s, Portuguese Ismailis created places of gathering for cultural and social purposes in major cities and towns where they settled. They also found office space for the establishment of philanthropic organisations that they sponsored. As they developed and expanded, these organisations involved increasing numbers of institutional partners and the wider Portuguese public.
President Jorge Sampaio laid the foundation stone of the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon on 18 December 1996, at a Foundation Ceremony presided over by Mawlana Hazar Imam.
The Ismaili Centre, Lisbon was inaugurated on 11 July 1998 by Portugal's President Jorge Sampaio in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
The design brief called for a centre which would draw upon traditional design approaches from Muslim civilizations yet avoid transplanting any idiom particular to a specific locale in its entirety. Significant emphasis was placed upon technological innovation and on construction that would be appropriate to the area. The architects' response was influenced by the morphology of traditional spatial arrangements, by the notion of Islamic gardens and by the patterns in architecture that have served different Muslim societies.
A compilation of resources on TheIsmaili.org and elsewhere about the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon.
On 26 July 1982, the Honourable Henry Bell-Irving, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, performed the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
