“In Islam, the Holy Quran offers explicit direction to share resources beyond one’s requirements, and to care for the poor and those in need.”

These are the words of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Aga Khan IV and spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, upon receiving the Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy in 2005.

The Canergie Medal is just one of many awards and decorations the Aga Khan has received from countries all over the Globe in recognition of his development work. Although he is often accorded the protocol due to a Head of State and enjoys the influence of a statesman, Aga Khan IV has eschewed politics in favour of development and the preservation and revival of Muslim Cultural Heritage. During his time as Imam he has built institutions that assist not only Ismailis but deprived communities worldwide.

Aga Khan IV was born in Geneva on December 13th 1936. He is the son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan and spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya. He attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland and then continued to Harvard University where he studied Islamic History. He is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. At the age of 21 he assumed the office of Imamat, upon the death of this grandfather Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.

Prince Karim Aga Khan is a progressive paradox. He is a liberal, urbane Muslim leader in a time when polarized schools of thought dominate the media. Yet his deeply intellectual speeches show strength of faith, a determination to adhere to the principles of Islam and fierce pride in Islamic heritage.

In a Convocation Address at the University of Peshawar in 1967, for example, he discussed the importance of traditional values, how in their endeavour for material good, Muslims should not forsake their responsibilities to the poor, the orphan, the traveller, or the single woman; nor should they neglect their duty of submission to the Creator: “The day we no longer know how, nor have the time nor the faith to bow in prayer to Allah because the human soul, that He has told us is eternal, is no longer of sufficient importance to us to be worthy of an hour of our daily working, profit-seeking time, will be a sunless day of despair.”

He articulates a more tolerant version of Islam in an age when Islam is much maligned and misunderstood. He shows how the principles of pluralism and assisting social development are rooted in Islam and puts these principles into action. He evinces great pride in Muslim heritage and has worked to preserve and revive Muslim cultural heritage in diverse areas of the world.

Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Aga Khan has tackled the age-old problems of poverty and deprivation with innovative approaches and notable success for over 50 years. Communities all over the world, from Gilgit in Pakistan to Timbuktu in Africa have benefited from the programs of the AKDN, no matter what their faith, race or gender.

Over the years AKDN has developed effective programs that have been replicated by both NGOs and governments. The AKDN has a reputation for integrity, fairness and of working to the highest international standards. This has enabled it to enter into collaborations with both governments and large international institutions, bringing an enhanced level of expertise and funding to its projects.

A recent example of this is The French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC). This not-for-profit hospital in Kabul is dedicated to providing world-class medical services and improving access to quality healthcare in Afghanistan. The hospital is run through an innovative four-way partnership between the Government of Afghanistan, the Government of France, the Aga Khan Development Network and the French NGO, La Chaîne de l’Espoir, with Aga Khan University managing FMIC on behalf of AKDN.

The hospital is deeply involved in training local doctors and nurses to international standards and is a center for referral throughout the region. The generous welfare program ensures that no one is turned away because of an in ability to pay. Since 2006 over 200,000 patients have benefitted from the welfare program regardless of the religion or ethnic background. Moreover FMIC has introduced a groundbreaking eHealthcare program that uses technology to bring improved healthcare to remote regions. Patients who are physically unable to get to FMIC from faraway areas can benefit from tele-consultations and tele-radiology and pathology analysis.

A key player in the success of FMIC is the Aga Khan University. AKU is one of Pakistan’s foremost institutions and the Aga Khan University Hospital has revolutionized healthcare in Pakistan. Not only has it brought world-class healthcare to Pakistan, AKUs Faculty of Medical Sciences has educated countless nurses and doctors. The hospital’s Welfare program ensures that poverty doesn’t prevent those in need from getting top class care.

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