Gems of Wisdom

Latest Episodes:

“My wish for the decades ahead” - New York, USA, 1 November 2017 and Aiglemont, France, 16 December 2016 Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

In this final episode of Gems of Wisdom, we will hear two very short but impactful speeches in which the Aga Khan spoke passionately about his aspirations for the future. First, he reflected on his work towards building peace in the world in this speech on receiving the Asia Society’s Game Changer Lifetime Achievement Award in New York City, USA on 1 November 2017.

The Aga Khan also discussed his hopes and aspirations for the future of the Ismaili Jamat, or community, in this speech from his 80th birthday celebration held at his residence at Aiglemont in France on 16 December 2016.

“My beloved spiritual children” - Salamiyya, Syria, 10 November 2001 Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

This penultimate episode of Gems of Wisdom will feature a different kind of address from the public speeches heard in previous episodes. As a faith leader, the Aga Khan provided Ismaili communities around the world with spiritual and worldly guidance for almost seven decades. While these religious gatherings were usually private for Ismailis only, occasionally he spoke to large outdoor public gatherings, including this address, known as an Irshad, made on 10 November 2001 in Salamiyya, Syria.

“A very significant moment in my own life” - Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic, 19 June 2021 Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Gems of Wisdom will be drawing to a close with three special episodes. In this third last episode, we will hear the Aga Khan’s final public speech made during his lifetime, which also marked an important milestone event. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aga Khan gave a virtual address in this speech to the first Convocation ceremony of the University of Central Asia in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic on 19 June 2021.

Click here to read the speech.

“We would never become a demotivated, marginalised community” - Ottawa, Canada, 27 November 2013 Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

After Uganda’s President Idi Amin expelled all South Asians from the country in 1972, thousands of Ugandan Ismaili refugees ended up rebuilding their lives and community institutions in Canada and the United Kingdom. The Aga Khan discussed the spirit of resilience that inspired the architecture of the Ismaili Centres and other buildings in this speech to the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada on 27 November 2013 in Ottawa, Canada. Please note that although the majority of this speech is in English, it does begin in French. A translation is available in the podcast’s transcript and on the Aga Khan Development Network website.

Click here to read the speech.

“The ripple effect that a teacher can have” - Northern Areas, Pakistan, 19 October 2000 Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

In a merit-based world, one important factor in helping children progress in developing societies is the quality of teaching they receive. The Aga Khan spoke about the need to strengthen teaching capacity in this speech at the inauguration of the Professional Development Centre in the Northern Areas of Pakistan on 19 October 2000.
Click here to read the speech.

“Democracy can fail anywhere, at any time, in any society” - Gatineau, Canada, 19 May 2004 Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

In recent years, a number of democracies have been failing around the world, contributing to global instability and conflict. The Aga Khan discussed the ways in which democracy can be strengthened in this speech at the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference on 19 May 2004 in Gatineau, Canada.
Click here to read the speech.

“Zanzibar was a significant focal point for this region of the world” - Zanzibar, Tanzania, 30 July 2009 Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

The island of Zanzibar on East Africa’s Swahili coast has been a cultural and economic crossroad for centuries. The Aga Khan discussed the history and future of Zanzibar as a place of pluralistic exchange in this speech at the inauguration of the revitalised Forodhani Park on 30 July 2009 in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Click here to read the speech.

“The problem of persistent global poverty” - Washington, D.C., USA, 22 April 2009 Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

One of the great challenges in the world today is addressing the problem of global poverty, especially in the developing world. The Aga Khan discussed the need for developed and developing societies to work together in tackling the challenges of poverty in this speech at the Global Philanthropy Forum on 22 April 2009 in Washington, D.C., USA.
Click here to read the speech.

“The harmonious integration of the spiritual, the artistic, and the natural worlds” - Toronto, Canada, 28 May 2010 Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

We have heard in previous episodes about the effort to educate people in Western societies about the contributions that diverse Muslim civilisations have made to the world. The Aga Khan discussed three institutions located together that he hoped would contribute to this educational endeavour in this speech at the foundation ceremony of the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre Toronto, and the Aga Khan Park made on 28 May 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Please note that although the majority of this speech is in English, it does contain a short section in French. A translation is available in the podcast’s transcript and on the Aga Khan Development Network website.
Click here to read the speech.

“A symbol of the hopes of people who lived through change and turbulence” - Houston, USA, 23 June 2002 Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

In recent decades, Ismaili Muslim communities in North America and Europe have grown significantly, often caused by people fleeing political instability and conflict. As a symbol of the community’s growing presence in the United States, the Aga Khan opened a new Jamatkhana, the place of worship used by Ismailis, during a visit to Texas in 2002. This was also his first visit to America after the 9/11 attacks. He spoke about his aspirations for the new building in this speech at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Houston, USA on 23 June 2002.
Click here to read the speech.

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