Aga Khan Museum Director and CEO Henry Kim addresses a gathering at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for the UAE

18 March 2014 — An outreach event titled A Preview of the Aga Khan Museum was held at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. The Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan, was the guest of honour and keynote speaker at the event, which was attended by more than 300 people. Also present were a number of distinguished guests, including Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum from the Royal family, Khaled Al Kamda, Director General of the Community Development Authority, government officials, diplomats from several countries, professionals and entrepreneurs.

The event offered insight into the range of programming that will take place at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and featured an introductory talk by the Museum's Director and CEO, Henry Kim, followed by a performance by renowned sitar player Mohamed Assani and tabla virtuoso Shahbaz Hussain.

Some 250 people attend a knowledge forum on leadership, entrepreneurship and ethics at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for the UAE

15 February 2014 — The role of leadership in implementing ethical business models that benefit all stakeholders was the focus of a knowledge form held at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Panelists and keynote speakers representing a cross-section of industry leaders engaged with the audience on the importance sustainable growth and business development. The forum looked at managing financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities both from an idealistic and practical standpoint.

Prominent speakers included Apparel Group chairman Nilesh Ved, Sultan Ali Allana, Chairman of Habib Bank Ltd and Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Rashid Doleh, co-founder and managing partner of MSquared Shopping Centres, and Harjeev Khandhari, Executive director of Al Dobowi Group. The event was moderated by Soha Nashaat, Strategic Advisor to the Executive Chairman of Shuaa Capital. Approximately 250 people attended the event, including Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum from the Royal family, Khaled Al Kamda, Director General of Community Development Authority, diplomats from a number of countries as well as representatives of international agencies.

Dubai, 27 January 2015 — Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai and met with the President of the Ismaili Council for United Arab Emirates. The CEO toured the Ismaili Centre including the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre and learnt about the work of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Dubai, 4 March 2015 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai today. The Minister was accompanied by His Excellency Arif Lalani, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and His Excellency Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Canada’s Consul General to the UAE.

During their visit, the Canadian delegation met with the President and Vice-President of the Ismaili Council for the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai, 29 January 2015 — His Excellency Umej Singh, Singapore’s Ambassador to United Arab Emirates and His Excellency Cheong Ming Foong, Singapore’s Consul General to United Arab Emirates, visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai and met with the President of the Ismaili Council for United Arab Emirates. The Ambassador and the Consul General toured the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre and learnt about the work of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Dubai, 11 March 2015 — The Consul General of Tajikistan, His Excellency Abdurahmon Ayubov, visited the Ismaili Centre and met with the President of the Ismaili Council for the United Arab Emirates. The Consul General toured the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Learning Centre, and learnt about the work of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Dubai, 16 February 2015 — His Excellency Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to United Arab Emirates visited the Ismaili Centre and met with the President and Vice-President of the Ismaili Council for the United Arab Emirates.

During his visit, the ambassador toured the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre, and learnt about the work of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Dubai, 7 April 2015 — Her Excellency Irene Florence Persis Wekiya, Ambassador of Uganda to the United Arab Emirates visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai and met with the President of the Ismaili Council for the UAE.

The ambassador toured the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Learning Centre and learnt about the work of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Dubai, 19 May 2015 — The Tanzanian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk, visited the Ismaili Centre and met with the President of the Ismaili Council for the UAE.

The ambassador toured the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Learning Centre and learnt about the work of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Dubai, 20 March 2015 — The Ismaili Centre, Dubai in collaboration with Art Dubai, the Aga Khan Museum and the Ambassador of Canada and Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, hosted a special presentation on the Aga Khan Museum. The presentation was held as part of the Art Dubai VIP Collectors Circle Programme.

The event was attended by more than 150 people, including art collectors, museum professionals, artists and government authorities. His Excellency T.P. Seetharam, Indian Ambassador to United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Consul General of Canada, and Imran Qureshi and Aisha Khalid, eminent artists from Pakistan were amongst the distinguished guests.

“As an institution that highlights connections between Muslim civilisations and world heritage, Art Dubai presents an exciting forum in which to discuss global connections,” said Henry Kim, Aga Khan Museum Director and CEO. Art Dubai is now in its ninth edition.

In his speech, His Excellency Arif Lalani praised the volunteers for their service in organising the event and applauded the collaborative initiative, now in its second year. Guests were offered an architectural tour of the Ismaili Centre, conducted by volunteer tour guides.

Dubai, 16 June 2016 — His Excellency Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares and Caroline Arnold, Director of Education at the Aga Khan Foundation led a lively discussion on education at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. The event showcased the long-term solutions that these leading development agencies are bringing to communities in need in Afghanistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Hosted in collaboration with the Afghan and Tanzanian consulates to the United Arab Emirates, the event was part of the Ismaili Centre's annual Suhoor Speakers Series during the holy month of Ramadan. More than 200 guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, government dignitaries, academics and professionals from the field of education were in attendance.

For Muslims across the globe, Ramadan is a month of reflection on the values that underpin Islam. Guided by the vision and leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Mawlana Hazar Imam respectively, Dubai Cares and the Aga Khan Foundation are driven by a shared concern for upholding the ethic of human dignity.

Dubai, 26 October 2016 — His Excellency Joaquim Moreira de Lemos, Portugal’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and his wife Paula Moreira de Lemos visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai.

The visitors were given a tour of the Ismaili Centre, including the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre, which was followed by lunch with Ismaili Council leaders. Ambassador Moreira de Lemos was acquainted with Ismailis living in Portugal, many of whom had migrated from Mozambique after 1975. He lauded Ismailis for their adaptability, integration and contribution to the society at large.

In signing the Ismaili Centre guest book, the ambassador wrote: “What a fantastic visit! I am aware of the impact of the work of the Aga Khan Development Network on the lives of so many people, regardless of their faith, or national origins. I learnt some more today. The Network deserves all blessings, and our continued support.”

Dubai, 27 October 2016 — Their Excellencies Bahodur M. Sharifi, Tajik Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Bahodu Safarzoda, Tajik Consul General to Dubai, and Yasmin Dalila, Acting Consul General (Chargé d’Affaires) from Rwanda visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai.

The President and Vice-President of the Ismaili Council for Tajikistan, Dr Sharofat Mamadambarova and Muzaffar Jorubov, joined leaders from the Ismaili Council for the United Arab Emirates in receiving the guests.

The dignitaries toured the Ismaili Centre, including Aga Khan Early Learning Centre. After watching a video on Ismaili Centres, the Tajik ambassador expressed interest in organising a joint event promoting Tajik culture, including music, arts and crafts, and foods from Tajikistan.

Her Excellency Yasmin Dalila of Rwanda expressed appreciation for the Aga Khan Development Network’s programmes in East Africa.

Dubai, 15 November 2016 — His Excellency Can Dizdar, Turkish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and His Excellency Erdem Ozan, Consul General of Turkey to Dubai visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai.

The visitors were given a tour of the Ismaili Centre, including the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre. Ambassador Can Dizdar mentioned that there were sure to be many areas of mutual interest where the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Development Network, and the Turkish Embassy would be able to work together. The opportunities for cultural collaborations between the Turkish Embassy and the Ismaili Centre were discussed and the ambassador agreed that there would be opportunities to partner in relation to such events.

In his guest book remarks, Ambassador Dizdar wrote: “The mission of this Centre is commendable. What I saw and heard today definitely opens up new horizons in the minds and hearts of the mankind. Congratulations!”

Dubai, 16 November 2016 — His Excellency Masud Husain, Canadian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and His Excellency Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Consul General of Canada to Dubai and Northern Emirates visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai.

The dignitaries toured the Ismaili Centre, including Aga Khan Early Learning Centre. The Ambassador was appreciative of the joint initiatives between the Canadian Embassy and the Ismaili Centre. The two institutions, along with Aga Khan Museum, and Art Dubai have jointly hosted presentations about the museum for the past three years.

The dignitaries were apprised of the commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee, starting 11 July 2017. The Consul General talked about about Canada celebrating its 150th anniversary of Confederation this year, and expressed interest in planning joint programmes in areas of mutual interest.

Dubai, 17 November 2016 — Her Excellency Merete Juhl, Ambassador of Denmark to the United Arab Emirates visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai.

Ambassador Juhl toured the Ismaili Centre including Aga Khan Early Learning Centre. After watching a video of 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture ceremony held in the UAE, the ambassador spoke about having met with the award-winning team from Denmark, and appreciated the work of Aga Khan Development Network in promoting culture and diversity.

Dubai, 20 November 2016 — A book launch was held for Into that Heaven of Freedom, written by Dr Mohamed Keshavjee, a renowned South African-born scholar and winner of the prestigious Gandhi King Ikeda Award for Peace. The event was held at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai in collaboration with Consulate General of India in Dubai. His Excellency Manabile Shogole, South African Consul General in Dubai, also attended the event.

Dr Keshavjee described the early struggles of the South African Ismaili families and some of the people amongst whom they lived. It was also the period when the late Mahatma Gandhi was practicing law in South Africa. The event provided a fascinating interaction between the author and the audience, which was moderated by Sajida H. Shroff, a distinguished educationist.

Dubai, 22 December 2016 — In collaboration with the Ismaili Centre Dubai, the Embassy and Consulate General of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Arab Emirates celebrated the diversity of Tajik art and culture.

The event was an extension of a long history of collaboration between the government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Aga Khan Development Network. It represented the diversity of Tajik heritage through art, music, culture, and authentic foods that were presented to an audience that included diplomatic, business and professional leaders.

His Excellency Bahodour Sharifi, Tajik Ambassador to the UAE, thanked the Ismaili Centre and its volunteers for hosting the event, and expressed his admiration to the work of the Aga Khan Development Network across the globe.

The event concluded with a rich musical performance by Tajik singers and musicians.

Dubai, 9 February 2016 — His Worship Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of the City of Markham in Ontario, Canada visited the Ismaili Centre, Dubai along with the members of the Markham City Council. His Excellency Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Consul General of Canada also joined the group.

The delegation toured the Ismaili Centre, including the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre.

Mayor Scarpitti expressed his appreciation for the Aga Khan Development Network’s initiatives especially in pluralism and education. He looked forward to visiting the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum in Toronto together with the members of Markham City Council.