Synergos aims to address global poverty and social injustice by supporting and connecting leaders, so they can work in collaboration to change the systems that keep people in poverty. Previous recipients of the award have included former US President Bill Clinton, former South African President Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, and Sir Richard Branson.

Speaking at the event with Synergos Chair Peggy Dulany, Mawlana Hazar Imam elaborated on the notion of social conscience in Islam: “The premise that Islam works on is not just helping, but helping to render the individual capable of governing his or her destiny. You are not just helping them away from poverty, you are giving them the means to propel themselves and their families into their future, in ways which they control.”

Hazar Imam continued: “And therefore when you educate, when you help in healthcare, when you give access to credit, you are not looking at just helping the individual survive, you are trying to reposition the individual and the family in society. That is the basic premise of social support that I believe is the correct interpretation of Islam.”

Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam at the event, titled University for a Night.