Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to Portuguese Ismailis at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon: “I consider myself your brother, and feel you as my brothers and my sisters.”
His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, thanks the Ismaili community for their contributions to the nation. (Image credit: Luis Filipe Catarino / Ismaili Council for Portugal via The Ismaili)
“We are brothers of the same path … I am here to thank you — for this path we travel along, together.
…for the same love for Portugal.
This touches my heart so deeply, and that is why I consider myself your brother, and feel you as my brothers and my sisters.”
– Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic
Lisbon, Portugal, 29 April 2017: His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, visited the Ismaili Centre, where he received a warm welcome from hundreds of members of the Portuguese Jamat.
President Marcelo at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon. (Image credit: Presidência da República Portuguesa)
Ismaili Girl and Boy Scouts lined a red carpet at the entrance of the Ismaili Centre, where President Marcelo was greeted upon his arrival by Rahim Firozali, President of the Ismaili Council for Portugal, Nazim Ahmad, Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to the Portuguese Republic, and senior officials of the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa toured the Ismaili Centre, meeting and speaking with Ismailis of all ages, and pausing for photographs with them. The tour included visits to the chahar-bagh and fruit gardens, the Jamatkhana prayer hall and the Council Chamber, where he spent a moment signing the Ismaili Centre’s visitor’s book.
The President brought a profound message of solidarity and gratitude for the Jamat.
“We are brothers of the same path … I am here to thank you — for this path we travel along, together.
Thank you for your strength, your unity, the ability to project into the future, the education, the upbringing of these girls, these boys, these young people, for the same principles, the same love for humanity, for others, the same openness, the same tolerance, the same acceptance of difference.
President Marcelo surrounded by Ismaili youth in the Garden of Fruits at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon. (Image credit: Luis Filipe Catarino / Ismaili Council for Portugal via The Ismaili)
But also, for the same love for Portugal.
This touches my heart so deeply, and that is why I consider myself your brother, and feel you as my brothers and my sisters.
With you, Portugal has become richer, more open, more tolerant, more understanding, more plural, more universal.
Thank you. Thank you, in the name of Portugal.”
– Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic
I truly appreciate President’ s message I’m US citizen and visited Lisbon in 2016, this event brought back found memories of my visit to Lisbon and can’t wait to come back again.
Thank you
Yasmin Lalani
This is a message of great appreciation for our Jamat in Lisbon, when the Presidente Marcelo Rebelo de Souza says that you are as my brothers and sisters and his father Dr.Baltazar Rebelo de Souza was Governor in Mozambique he inaugurated our Jamatkhna in Maputo (Lourenco Marques) in 1968 when I was in Mozambique. I am still Portuguese living here in Houston, Texas (USA) and visited the Ismaili Centre twice in Lisbon. Muito obrigado Sr. Presidente pela visita e apreciacao da nossa comunidade esmaelita em Lisboa.
Very informative article. Can I get the contact tel no. or address of Mr. Amirali Nanji at Houston, TX. I would sure like to visit our Ismaili Centre in Portugal…Thanks…
Ismailimail 
I truly appreciate President’ s message I’m US citizen and visited Lisbon in 2016, this event brought back found memories of my visit to Lisbon and can’t wait to come back again.
Thank you
Yasmin Lalani
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This is a message of great appreciation for our Jamat in Lisbon, when the Presidente Marcelo Rebelo de Souza says that you are as my brothers and sisters and his father Dr.Baltazar Rebelo de Souza was Governor in Mozambique he inaugurated our Jamatkhna in Maputo (Lourenco Marques) in 1968 when I was in Mozambique. I am still Portuguese living here in Houston, Texas (USA) and visited the Ismaili Centre twice in Lisbon. Muito obrigado Sr. Presidente pela visita e apreciacao da nossa comunidade esmaelita em Lisboa.
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Very informative article. Can I get the contact tel no. or address of Mr. Amirali Nanji at Houston, TX. I would sure like to visit our Ismaili Centre in Portugal…Thanks…
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Enjoyed reading this informative article. Abrigado.
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