“Our commitment to Portugal reflects our deep respect for this country and our deep affection for its people.”
– His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan,
49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims
Lisbon, 21 July 2017 — Yesterday, the Portuguese Republic and the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa each bestowed honours and tributes upon Mawlana Hazar Imam. The visit to Portugal was Hazar Imam’s first official public event since the commencement of his Diamond Jubilee.
Center photo: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal, together with senior leaders of the Ismaili Imamat and community. Left to Right: Rahim Firozali, President of the Ismaili Council for Portugal; Nazim Ahmad, Head of the Ismaili Imamat’s Department for Portugal and other Lusophone countries; His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan; His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal; and Dr Shafik Sachedina, Head of Community Affairs. (image credit: AKDN / ANTONIO PEDROSA)
His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal decorated Mawlana Hazar Imam with the Grã-Cruz da Ordem da Liberdade or Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty — in recognition of his service to uplifting lives around the world. The evening ceremony took place at Palácio de Belém, the official residence of the President of the Republic.
Earlier in the day, the President had co-chaired another ceremony, in which Mawlana Hazar Imam received an honorary doctorate from the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, as His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan is affectionately referred to by the Ismaili Community, expressed his deep appreciation to the university, to Portugal and its leaders, and particularly to the President of the Republic.
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan delivers his acceptance remarks upon receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. (image credit: The Ismaili)
“I have always felt at home in Portugal, and now ever more so since the signing in 2015 of an historic agreement between the Ismaili Imamat and Portuguese Republic to establish the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in this country – an important milestone in the 1,400-year history of the Ismaili Imamat.”
– His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan,
49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims
The leaders of the university extolled the work of the Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network over the past six decades.
Professor Daniel Traça, Dean of the School of Business, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. (image credit: Presidencia.pt)
“Although separated by 1,400 years of history and geography, our city and the Imamat have for centuries shared very deep values of tolerance, respect for individuality, intercultural dialogue and solidarity among humans.
I trust, Your Highness , that you will find in our University and in the peoples of our great city and our great country true partners in your quest to make a difference around the world.
… His Highness carries the historical commitment and mandate of the Imamat. Nova continues a tradition of more than 500 years in which our city has been a centre stage for the mixing of the cultures and the races of the world. That is why I believe that the Imamat will find in Lisbon a uniquely welcoming and safe place to build their home.”
– Professor Daniel Traça, Dean of the School of Business, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
Professor António Rendas, Rector of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. (image credit: Presidencia.pt)
“Your Highness, I sincerely hope that you feel at home in Portugal and that you feel that Portugal is also part of your home … [and] to consider Lisbon and particularly NOVA University as a partner in making the world better with more knowledge, more culture, more social development and, above all, peace for men and women of goodwill.”
– Professor António Rendas,
Rector of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
The visit is Mawlana Hazar Imam’s first official public event since the commencement of his Diamond Jubilee on Imamat Day, 11 July 2017, which marked the 60th anniversary of his Imamat. In June 2015, the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat signed a landmark agreement for the establishment of its formal Seat in Portugal. The agreement furthers cooperation between Portugal and the Ismaili Imamat that will benefit the world at large.
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