On 11 July 2025, during an official visit by Mawlana Hazar Imam to the Elysee Palace [Paris], Prince Amyn was awarded Officier de la Légion d’honneur (Officer of the Legion of Honour) by President Emmanuel Macron, in recognition of his many decades of work to improve the lives of people in France and beyond. The Légion d’honneur is the highest and most prestigious French order of merit.
During the ceremony, President Emmanual Macron said:
“As I decorate you today, I am moved as I think of His late Highness the Aga Khan IV, and touched as I evoke his memory. As mentioned earlier, it was precisely, on 11th July, 68 years ago, that he became the Imam; spiritual leader of several million Nizari Ismailis, and a model of generosity for the entire world.
“Along with him, and through the Aga Khan Development Network, the AKDN, you have built a vast international network of development organisations—notably in health, education, and culture. From Toronto to Delhi, you have restored and protected many wonders of the Islamic world—and beyond: from gardens to Mosques, by way of the melodies of the oud, and many more. You are a worthy ambassador of this Republic of Arts and Letters, that we hold so dear.
“Ultimately, from the ballet at the UN to the elegance of the gardens, you continue to pursue the same ideal—harmony, of which your lineage is also a symbol, as are the values that France cherishes: compassion, tolerance, respect, and human dignity. Thus, for this humanism, this philanthropy, and this faith in our country, I am delighted today to present you with the insignia of Officer of the Legion of Honour.”
In his acceptance remarks, Prince Amyn thanked President Macron for the special honour, and spoke of France’s importance to him and his family.
“It is a country that is extremely dear to us, whose values we share,” he said. “It is a privilege to collaborate with many friends, partners, and institutions in France. And if I have had the privilege of contributing something of value to the country and its institutions, I am very happy and very proud of it.”
The event took place during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s first official visit to the Jamat, at the invitation of President Macron. Hazar Imam was present at the award ceremony, along with Prince Hussein, Prince Aly Muhammad, Prince Irfan, Prince Sinan, and leaders from the Jamat and AKDN.
Prince Amyn has served the Imamat, Jamat, and Aga Khan Development Network for close to seven decades. He has greatly contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage in France.
The Légion d’honneur was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It is the highest distinction in France, awarded to eminent individuals in the fields of arts, science, and public service. Previous recipients have included Marie Curie, Nelson Mandela, and Kofi Annan. La Grand-croix de la Légion d’honneur was awarded to Mawlana Shah Karim on 19 September 2018.
Source: The.Ismaili
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