Portugal conferred double honours on His Highness Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan within 10 days of the commencement of his year long Diamond Jubilee celebrations around the world.
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa presents His Highness the Aga Khan with one of Portugal’s highest honours – 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. Watching from the sidelines is Nazim Ahmad, Head of the Ismaili Imamat’s Department for Portugal and other Lusophone countries. (image credit: AKDN/Antonio Pedrosa)
His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal invested the decoration Grã-Cruz da Ordem da Liberdade (Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty) at the Palace of Belém, after co-chairing the doctoral ceremony “Honoris Causa” of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan at the Rectory of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan receives a standing ovation. Image on the right: Portugal’s Minister of Culture, Luís Filipe Castro Mendes in an interview following the honorary doctorate ceremony at the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (image credit: Oficial do Gabinete do Ministro da Cultura)
At the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal’s Minister of Culture – Luís Filipe Castro Mendes (pictured above), PSD leader, Passos Coelho, former Prime Minister Pinto Balsemão (who sponsored the doctorate and is pictured below), several MPs from the PS, PSD and CDS-PP, figures of the Catholic Church and the Armed Forces of Portugal graced the ceremony at the Rectory of Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan is congratulated by Portugal’s President, His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa after receiving the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. Looking on (left to right) are Dr. Francisco Pinto Balsemão, Patron of the Doctorate and former Prime Minister of Portugal, Professor António Rendas, Rector of the Nova University and Professor Eduardo Arantes e Oliveira, President of the NOVA University General Council. (image credit: AKDN / Antonio Pedrosa)
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan delivers his acceptance remarks upon receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. (image credit: The Ismaili)
Speaking in English, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan affirmed his commitment to Portugal, expressing that “we hold an enduring affinity for Portugal and its institutions, its history and its people.”
His Highness highlighted the partnerships between the Aga Khan Development (AKDN) that he chairs and Portugal: “Underpinning this partnership with Portugal is our admiration for the country’s pluralism and bridge-building initiatives with people from disparate cultures and faiths.”
#AgaKhan: While we work in 30 countries, we hold an enduring affinity for #Portugal and its institutions, history and people. @NovaUnl
— Emb.Portugal Canada (@embportugal_ca) July 21, 2017
Ministro presente na cerimónia de Doutoramento Honoris Causa de Sua Alteza Karim al-Hussaini, Príncipe Aga Khan. Universidade Nova de Lisboa pic.twitter.com/9f1UiuWasD
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