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Born 7th March 2000
Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan 2025-09-07
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Interfaith partnership restores historic chapel in Portugal
Portugal · 7 September 2025
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Lisbon, Portugal, 7 September 2025 – A historic chapel in northern Portugal has reopened after being destroyed in the devastating wildfires that swept through Gondomar, just east of Porto, in September 2024. The restoration was made possible thanks to a unique collaboration involving local authorities, the Catholic Church and the Ismaili Imamat.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Aflição in Branzelo was originally built in 1884 and has long served as a place of worship and community life. It has now been fully rebuilt and returned to the community. The work was carried out as a joint effort of the Gondomar City Council, the Parish Council of Melres e Medas, the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), with support from the Portuguese Government and senior figures of the Catholic Church. The chapel is privately owned by a local family that has granted its use to the community.
“The destruction of the chapel was a deeply felt loss, a painful blow that left a void in our lives and in the lives of the people of Branzelo,” said Elvira Duarte, whose family has cared for the chapel since 1952. Read Elvira Duarte’s speech.
AKTC, the cultural agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, provided specialist technical expertise, while both AKTC and the Ismaili Imamat contributed direct funding. The restoration followed heritage conservation principles and incorporated modern safety and accessibility features, using traditional materials and artisanal techniques to preserve the chapel’s historical character.
“This work was not only a response to a calamity. It was an act of preservation, a gesture balancing technical rigour, respect for authenticity and symbolic value,” said Rui Correia, the architect who oversaw the project. Read Rui Correia’s speech.
The reopening took place during the annual festival in honour of Our Lady of Affliction, the chapel’s namesake and an important expression of faith and tradition for the people of Branzelo and the wider region. Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, attended the ceremony alongside the Mayor of Gondomar, representatives of the Portuguese Government, senior figures of the Catholic Church and other dignitaries. During the ceremony, the Aga Khan Foundation and Gondomar municipality signed a protocol to advance local social and community initiatives.
“The restoration is not only of great importance to the local community and those who worship here, but also symbolises the solidarity between the Ismaili Imamat and the Catholic Church, and our respective institutions,” said Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan. “It is also a testament to the strength of the bond between the Ismaili Imamat and the Portuguese Republic – a bond anchored in the shared values of respect for human dignity, pluralism and a commitment to bring hope and opportunity to all peoples, regardless of faith or origin.”
This restoration is part of AKTC’s broader cultural development work worldwide, demonstrating how revitalising heritage can strengthen communities and preserve cultural identity.
For more information, please contact:
Farzana Carmali
farzana.carmali@cism.com.pt
Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan attended the reopening ceremony with community, government and Church representatives. / AKDN / José Nero
The chapel reopened during the annual festival in honour of Our Lady of Affliction, an important tradition for the Branzelo community. / AKDN / José Nero
The restoration incorporated modern safety and accessibility features while using traditional materials and artisanal techniques to preserve the chapel’s character. AKDN / José Nero
During the ceremony, the Aga Khan Foundation and Gondomar municipality signed a protocol to advance local social and community initiatives. / AKDN / José Nero
“The restoration is not only of great importance to the local community and those who worship here, but also symbolises the solidarity between the Ismaili Imamat and the Catholic Church,” said Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan. / AKDN / José Nero
Interfaith partnership restores historic chapel in Portugal
Portugal · 7 September 2025
PHOTOS BELOW ARTICLE. SCROLL PLEASE.
Lisbon, Portugal, 7 September 2025 – A historic chapel in northern Portugal has reopened after being destroyed in the devastating wildfires that swept through Gondomar, just east of Porto, in September 2024. The restoration was made possible thanks to a unique collaboration involving local authorities, the Catholic Church and the Ismaili Imamat.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Aflição in Branzelo was originally built in 1884 and has long served as a place of worship and community life. It has now been fully rebuilt and returned to the community. The work was carried out as a joint effort of the Gondomar City Council, the Parish Council of Melres e Medas, the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), with support from the Portuguese Government and senior figures of the Catholic Church. The chapel is privately owned by a local family that has granted its use to the community.
“The destruction of the chapel was a deeply felt loss, a painful blow that left a void in our lives and in the lives of the people of Branzelo,” said Elvira Duarte, whose family has cared for the chapel since 1952. Read Elvira Duarte’s speech.
AKTC, the cultural agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, provided specialist technical expertise, while both AKTC and the Ismaili Imamat contributed direct funding. The restoration followed heritage conservation principles and incorporated modern safety and accessibility features, using traditional materials and artisanal techniques to preserve the chapel’s historical character.
“This work was not only a response to a calamity. It was an act of preservation, a gesture balancing technical rigour, respect for authenticity and symbolic value,” said Rui Correia, the architect who oversaw the project. Read Rui Correia’s speech.
The reopening took place during the annual festival in honour of Our Lady of Affliction, the chapel’s namesake and an important expression of faith and tradition for the people of Branzelo and the wider region. Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, attended the ceremony alongside the Mayor of Gondomar, representatives of the Portuguese Government, senior figures of the Catholic Church and other dignitaries. During the ceremony, the Aga Khan Foundation and Gondomar municipality signed a protocol to advance local social and community initiatives.
“The restoration is not only of great importance to the local community and those who worship here, but also symbolises the solidarity between the Ismaili Imamat and the Catholic Church, and our respective institutions,” said Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan. “It is also a testament to the strength of the bond between the Ismaili Imamat and the Portuguese Republic – a bond anchored in the shared values of respect for human dignity, pluralism and a commitment to bring hope and opportunity to all peoples, regardless of faith or origin.”
This restoration is part of AKTC’s broader cultural development work worldwide, demonstrating how revitalising heritage can strengthen communities and preserve cultural identity.
For more information, please contact:
Farzana Carmali
farzana.carmali@cism.com.pt
Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan attended the reopening ceremony with community, government and Church representatives. / AKDN / José Nero
The chapel reopened during the annual festival in honour of Our Lady of Affliction, an important tradition for the Branzelo community. / AKDN / José Nero
The restoration incorporated modern safety and accessibility features while using traditional materials and artisanal techniques to preserve the chapel’s character. AKDN / José Nero
During the ceremony, the Aga Khan Foundation and Gondomar municipality signed a protocol to advance local social and community initiatives. / AKDN / José Nero
“The restoration is not only of great importance to the local community and those who worship here, but also symbolises the solidarity between the Ismaili Imamat and the Catholic Church,” said Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan. / AKDN / José Nero
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
2025, November 18:Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan attended Al Burda Award, Abu Dhabi, UAE
PREVIOUSLY 27 Jun, 2025:
20 years of Al Burda: UAE showcases Islamic art at Canada’s Aga Khan Museum. UAE's Al Burda Award marks its 20th anniversary with a major exhibition at Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum, showcasing over 60 contemporary Islamic artworks and cultural dialogue.
PREVIOUSLY 19 Dec, 2024:
UAE celebrates Islamic art at 18th Al Burda Award with Prince Rahim Aga Khan
Al-Noor: A celebration of cultural pluralism in Abu Dhabi.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/19-Dec-202 ... m-aga-khan
PREVIOUSLY 27 Jun, 2025:
20 years of Al Burda: UAE showcases Islamic art at Canada’s Aga Khan Museum. UAE's Al Burda Award marks its 20th anniversary with a major exhibition at Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum, showcasing over 60 contemporary Islamic artworks and cultural dialogue.
PREVIOUSLY 19 Dec, 2024:
UAE celebrates Islamic art at 18th Al Burda Award with Prince Rahim Aga Khan
Al-Noor: A celebration of cultural pluralism in Abu Dhabi.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/19-Dec-202 ... m-aga-khan
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
Prince Aly Muhammad attends 19th Al Burda Award
H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture and Prince Aly Muhammad during the Al Burda Awards Ceremony.Photo: UAE Government
Prince Aly Muhammad attended the 19th Al Burda Award ceremony on 18 November 2025 at Louvre Abu Dhabi, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Culture under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This year’s edition centred on the theme “Social Cohesion & Unity,” aligned with the UAE’s 2025 Year of the Community. Drawing inspiration from Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13) - “O mankind, indeed We have created you … peoples and tribes that you may know one another … the most noble of you … is the most righteous of you”. The theme underscored that diversity is not a source of division but an opportunity for mutual understanding, respect, and unity.
The evening unfolded with the announcement of the award winners in Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and ornamentation, followed by captivating Islamic musical performances that blended classical traditions with contemporary expression. The ceremony also provided moments of meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange, bringing together artists, poets, and calligraphers from around the world.
The event highlighted and further emphasised the growing partnership between the UAE Ministry of Culture and the Aga Khan Museum. Under their Memorandum of Understanding, three Emirati museum professionals curated an exhibition drawn from more than 300 works in the Al Burda Collection — first unveiled at Louvre Abu Dhabi and now showcased at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
Minister Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi acknowledged Prince Aly Muhammad’s presence, underscoring the strengthened collaboration between the Ismaili Imamat and the UAE.
https://the.ismaili/pt/en/news/prince-a ... urda-award
H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture and Prince Aly Muhammad during the Al Burda Awards Ceremony.Photo: UAE Government
Prince Aly Muhammad attended the 19th Al Burda Award ceremony on 18 November 2025 at Louvre Abu Dhabi, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Culture under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This year’s edition centred on the theme “Social Cohesion & Unity,” aligned with the UAE’s 2025 Year of the Community. Drawing inspiration from Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13) - “O mankind, indeed We have created you … peoples and tribes that you may know one another … the most noble of you … is the most righteous of you”. The theme underscored that diversity is not a source of division but an opportunity for mutual understanding, respect, and unity.
The evening unfolded with the announcement of the award winners in Arabic calligraphy, poetry, and ornamentation, followed by captivating Islamic musical performances that blended classical traditions with contemporary expression. The ceremony also provided moments of meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange, bringing together artists, poets, and calligraphers from around the world.
The event highlighted and further emphasised the growing partnership between the UAE Ministry of Culture and the Aga Khan Museum. Under their Memorandum of Understanding, three Emirati museum professionals curated an exhibition drawn from more than 300 works in the Al Burda Collection — first unveiled at Louvre Abu Dhabi and now showcased at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
Minister Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi acknowledged Prince Aly Muhammad’s presence, underscoring the strengthened collaboration between the Ismaili Imamat and the UAE.
https://the.ismaili/pt/en/news/prince-a ... urda-award