Today is 21st Birthday of Prince Aly Muhammad. Happy Birthday!
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
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
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
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
Happy 26th Birthday to Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan 
March 7, 2000 – A Special Day in History
Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
AS RECEIVED:
2026, March 09: Prince Aly Muhammad was at the commonwealth event today in London
Found his seating position, proud moment He was sitted on front row next to King of Monaco and The British Prime Minister.
2026, March 09: Prince Aly Muhammad was at the commonwealth event today in London
Found his seating position, proud moment He was sitted on front row next to King of Monaco and The British Prime Minister.
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
*IMPORTANT UPDATE – FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY - NEW AGA HALL JAMATKHANA*
*Wed, 15 April 2026*
- Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan to grace the historic occasion
- Entry to foundation site by *Invitation only*
- LIVE streaming from 11 AM *ONLY* at Aga Hall Jamatkhana.
- Additional seating in Basement, (Mumbai) Diamond Jubilee High School, Mazgaon for viewing
- Lunch for Jamat at the school basement
- Vehicle-free zone in the JK compound on that day
- NO entry / No parking for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers
- Please use carpooling, ride-sharing, or cabs
*Fri, 17 April 2026*
After Dua Mehmani Kriyas, Shukrana Night
- Mamera
- Performances
- Dandiya Raas
- Dinner for the Jamat.
Lots of Mubarakis!!!
----------------
Also have a look at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_5YBjSdQE
and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi_VO8Rk5vE
*Wed, 15 April 2026*
- Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan to grace the historic occasion
- Entry to foundation site by *Invitation only*
- LIVE streaming from 11 AM *ONLY* at Aga Hall Jamatkhana.
- Additional seating in Basement, (Mumbai) Diamond Jubilee High School, Mazgaon for viewing
- Lunch for Jamat at the school basement
- Vehicle-free zone in the JK compound on that day
- NO entry / No parking for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers
- Please use carpooling, ride-sharing, or cabs
*Fri, 17 April 2026*
After Dua Mehmani Kriyas, Shukrana Night
- Mamera
- Performances
- Dandiya Raas
- Dinner for the Jamat.
Lots of Mubarakis!!!
----------------
Also have a look at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_5YBjSdQE
and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi_VO8Rk5vE
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan visits Hasnabad JK in Mumbai
Video: https://www.reddit.com/r/ismailis/comme ... snabad_jk/
Video: https://www.reddit.com/r/ismailis/comme ... snabad_jk/
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
2026, April 15: Prince Aly Mohmmad met Mukhi Saheb and Kamadia Saheb at Hasnabad Jamatkhana. Hassanabad is resting place of first Aga Khan in Mumbai. Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan visited the moseleum of his great great great grand father Aga Hassanali Shah. Considering the sanctity of the place, Prince Aly Muhammad removed his shoes before climbing the stairs to the Mosoleum showing his respect.
Prince Aly Muhammad's father was Shah Karim Aga Khan IV, his grandfather was Prince Aly Khan, his great grand father was Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. his great great grandfather was Aga Ali Shah (Aga Khan II) and his great great great grandfather was Imam Hassanali Shah Aga Khan the First.
VIDEO 1: HTTPS://ismaili.net/timeline/2026/2026-04-16-mumbai.mp4
VIDEO2: HTTPS://ismaili.net/timeline/2026/2026-04-15-aly1.mp4
Prince Aly Muhammad's father was Shah Karim Aga Khan IV, his grandfather was Prince Aly Khan, his great grand father was Mowlana Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. his great great grandfather was Aga Ali Shah (Aga Khan II) and his great great great grandfather was Imam Hassanali Shah Aga Khan the First.
VIDEO 1: HTTPS://ismaili.net/timeline/2026/2026-04-16-mumbai.mp4
VIDEO2: HTTPS://ismaili.net/timeline/2026/2026-04-15-aly1.mp4
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
Foundation laid for Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai
Leaders of the Jamat in India welcome Prince Aly Muhammad to the foundation ceremony of the Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad participates in the foundation ceremony of the new Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad unveils the design of Aga Hall Jamatkhana on 15 April 2026.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad addresses guests at the foundation ceremony of Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / Sameer Nathwani
Prince Aly Muhammad inaugurates a model apartment at the Aga Hall Estate on 15 April 2026.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad at the foundation ceremony of Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / Sameer Nathwani
Prince Aly Muhammad reviews progress on the construction of the residential towers at Aga Hall Estate in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / Shanaya Lokhandwala
Prince Aly Muhammad and Naguib Kheraj, Chair of the Aga Hall Estate Steering Committee, with members of the Ismaili Council for India.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad participated in the foundation ceremony for the new Aga Hall Jamatkhana yesterday, marking a historic milestone in the evolving story of the Aga Hall Estate.
Established by Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah in the 1840s, Aga Hall was also a home to Mawlana Ali Shah and Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, and thus an important centre of the Ismaili Imamat in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Since then, it has witnessed Mumbai’s expansion into a thriving international hub, while symbolising the city’s historic roots. In 2018 Mawlana Shah Karim approved plans to redevelop the site to enhance the quality of life of residents and their neighbours.
In his address to guests, Prince Aly Muhammad explained the project’s significance, and his aspirations for its continued progress and contribution to the city.
The new Jamatkhana, he said, will serve “not only as a place of prayer, but also as a place of learning and encounter.”
“In a city like Mumbai, with all the pace and intensity that comes with urban life, spaces of calm matter all the more. I hope this will be a place that is beautiful, welcoming, and open in spirit — strengthening the bonds within our community and with the society around it.”
The structure will be significantly larger than the previously existing Jamatkhana, to cater for an expanded community living at Aga Hall and the surrounding area. Its architecture will feature a combination of solid balusters and translucent jaali screens repeated around the exterior.
“For the community here, the Jamatkhana is the special heart of the Estate,” said Naguib Kheraj, Chair of the Aga Hall Estate Steering Committee. “It is the element which binds the community together,” he added. “A place which helps us remember what gives meaning to life.”
A series of gardens will frame the building and will feature a stepped chahar-bagh, or quadrilateral garden; a maidan, or courtyard square; and a bustan, or orchard. Heritage elements like the 140-year-old Estate gate and fountain are being preserved and reinstalled in the new design.
“It is the continuation of a legacy,” said Asif Porbanderwala, President of the Ismaili Council for India. “One that honours the past, serves the present, and inspires the future.”
Adjacent to the Jamatkhana building will be two residential towers offering 580 high-quality apartments, along with amenities for a healthy lifestyle, and spaces for community gatherings and cultural events. The structure of the first tower is now finished, and the second tower’s frame is close to completion.
After inaugurating a show apartment, Prince Aly Muhammad undertook a tour of the site, going up to the top of one of the towers, surveying a variety of apartments and visiting the communal amenity spaces. The first apartments are expected to be ready for residents to move into from 2027 onwards.
As part of a thoughtfully landscaped setting, green spaces will cover more than half of the site’s total area. The project applies AKDN’s Green Building Guidelines, incorporating energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive design features, while reducing waste and carbon emissions.
A new medical facility will follow in the years ahead, expected to benefit local citizens regardless of background. Overall, the project is one of the largest mixed-use redevelopments in South Mumbai in recent years.
https://the.ismaili/in/en/news/foundati ... -in-mumbai
Leaders of the Jamat in India welcome Prince Aly Muhammad to the foundation ceremony of the Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad participates in the foundation ceremony of the new Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad unveils the design of Aga Hall Jamatkhana on 15 April 2026.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad addresses guests at the foundation ceremony of Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / Sameer Nathwani
Prince Aly Muhammad inaugurates a model apartment at the Aga Hall Estate on 15 April 2026.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad at the foundation ceremony of Aga Hall Jamatkhana in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / Sameer Nathwani
Prince Aly Muhammad reviews progress on the construction of the residential towers at Aga Hall Estate in Mumbai.
Photo: IPL / Shanaya Lokhandwala
Prince Aly Muhammad and Naguib Kheraj, Chair of the Aga Hall Estate Steering Committee, with members of the Ismaili Council for India.
Photo: IPL / The Ismaili
Prince Aly Muhammad participated in the foundation ceremony for the new Aga Hall Jamatkhana yesterday, marking a historic milestone in the evolving story of the Aga Hall Estate.
Established by Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah in the 1840s, Aga Hall was also a home to Mawlana Ali Shah and Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, and thus an important centre of the Ismaili Imamat in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Since then, it has witnessed Mumbai’s expansion into a thriving international hub, while symbolising the city’s historic roots. In 2018 Mawlana Shah Karim approved plans to redevelop the site to enhance the quality of life of residents and their neighbours.
In his address to guests, Prince Aly Muhammad explained the project’s significance, and his aspirations for its continued progress and contribution to the city.
The new Jamatkhana, he said, will serve “not only as a place of prayer, but also as a place of learning and encounter.”
“In a city like Mumbai, with all the pace and intensity that comes with urban life, spaces of calm matter all the more. I hope this will be a place that is beautiful, welcoming, and open in spirit — strengthening the bonds within our community and with the society around it.”
The structure will be significantly larger than the previously existing Jamatkhana, to cater for an expanded community living at Aga Hall and the surrounding area. Its architecture will feature a combination of solid balusters and translucent jaali screens repeated around the exterior.
“For the community here, the Jamatkhana is the special heart of the Estate,” said Naguib Kheraj, Chair of the Aga Hall Estate Steering Committee. “It is the element which binds the community together,” he added. “A place which helps us remember what gives meaning to life.”
A series of gardens will frame the building and will feature a stepped chahar-bagh, or quadrilateral garden; a maidan, or courtyard square; and a bustan, or orchard. Heritage elements like the 140-year-old Estate gate and fountain are being preserved and reinstalled in the new design.
“It is the continuation of a legacy,” said Asif Porbanderwala, President of the Ismaili Council for India. “One that honours the past, serves the present, and inspires the future.”
Adjacent to the Jamatkhana building will be two residential towers offering 580 high-quality apartments, along with amenities for a healthy lifestyle, and spaces for community gatherings and cultural events. The structure of the first tower is now finished, and the second tower’s frame is close to completion.
After inaugurating a show apartment, Prince Aly Muhammad undertook a tour of the site, going up to the top of one of the towers, surveying a variety of apartments and visiting the communal amenity spaces. The first apartments are expected to be ready for residents to move into from 2027 onwards.
As part of a thoughtfully landscaped setting, green spaces will cover more than half of the site’s total area. The project applies AKDN’s Green Building Guidelines, incorporating energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive design features, while reducing waste and carbon emissions.
A new medical facility will follow in the years ahead, expected to benefit local citizens regardless of background. Overall, the project is one of the largest mixed-use redevelopments in South Mumbai in recent years.
https://the.ismaili/in/en/news/foundati ... -in-mumbai
Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad meet with French Minister for Overseas Territories as AKF signs a Memorandum of Understanding for the reconstruction of Mayotte
Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad met with French Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou in Paris, together with representatives of France, AFD, the Ismaili Imamat, and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Naïma Moutchou, Minister for Overseas Territories, speaks at the signing ceremony, highlighting the “bond of trust that unites the Ismaili Imamat and France” and the shared commitment to Mayotte’s reconstruction.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Prince Aly Muhammad addresses guests at the signing ceremony, emphasising that “environmental recovery is not separate from human recovery” and highlighting the role of healthy ecosystems in supporting communities and livelihoods.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
The signatories of today’s MoU for Mayotte, setting out €8.5 million in initial projects to support lagoon protection, biodiversity restoration and agroecological transition.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
From left to right: Naïma Moutchou, Minister for Overseas Territories, Prince Aly Muhammad, Prince Hussain and Shamir Samdjee, Official Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to the French Republic.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Prince Aly Muhammad and Naïma Moutchou, Minister for Overseas Territories.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad today met with the French Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou in Paris. The meeting built on the discussions between Mawlana Hazar Imam and French President Emmanuel Macron on 11 July 2025, that included a joint desire to increase support to the Indian Ocean region, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which impacted Mayotte in December 2024.
Located between Mozambique and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Mayotte is surrounded by a vast coral reef system and a lagoon covering about 1,500 km², making it a major destination for diving, snorkeling, and marine wildlife viewing. Mayotte has also been home to a Jamat, many originating from neighbouring Madagascar, for decades.
Today, on World Oceans Day, the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the reconstruction and development of Mayotte, with the French Government and the Agence Française de Développement.
The work in Mayotte is part of a broader AKDN initiative. The work underway in Mayotte forms part of a broader coastal regeneration initiative in the Indian Ocean, led by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in several countries across the region where it has been active for many decades. It will benefit from the experience gained by AKDN in other parts of the region.
Following the memorandum signed last month at the Africa Forward Summit for AFD-AKDN cooperation in Tanzania, today’s MoU sets out initial projects in Mayotte worth €8.5 million. These projects have been selected for their contribution to the regeneration of the lagoon and are funded by AKF as part of the reconstruction and development strategy for Mayotte being implemented by France. AFD has been appointed to coordinate this cooperation.
The principles of Islam teaches us that everything on Earth, from the smallest insect to the tallest tree, has a purpose, and it is our responsibility to be mindful stewards, protecting the environment and its creatures, showing respect for Allah's creations.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Moutchou said, “The expression of solidarity shown by your late father, Aga Khan IV in the days following Cyclone Chido touched us deeply. We were very moved by this gesture, which demonstrates the bonds of trust that unite the Ismaili Imamat and France.”
In his remarks, Prince Aly Muhammad said: “This work builds on many decades of AKDN engagement in coastal regions, where environmental restoration, livelihoods, enterprise development, and community resilience must be understood—and practiced—together. The programme being prepared jointly by our teams focuses on the restoration of coastal zones both on oceans and on lands, and additional preservation work of the Mayotte Marine Natural Park. Our shared conviction is that environmental recovery is not separate from human recovery. Healthy ecosystems protect communities, sustain livelihoods, and create the conditions for long-term resilience.”
https://the.ismaili/de/en/news/prince-h ... of-mayotte
Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad met with French Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou in Paris, together with representatives of France, AFD, the Ismaili Imamat, and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Naïma Moutchou, Minister for Overseas Territories, speaks at the signing ceremony, highlighting the “bond of trust that unites the Ismaili Imamat and France” and the shared commitment to Mayotte’s reconstruction.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Prince Aly Muhammad addresses guests at the signing ceremony, emphasising that “environmental recovery is not separate from human recovery” and highlighting the role of healthy ecosystems in supporting communities and livelihoods.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
The signatories of today’s MoU for Mayotte, setting out €8.5 million in initial projects to support lagoon protection, biodiversity restoration and agroecological transition.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
From left to right: Naïma Moutchou, Minister for Overseas Territories, Prince Aly Muhammad, Prince Hussain and Shamir Samdjee, Official Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to the French Republic.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Prince Aly Muhammad and Naïma Moutchou, Minister for Overseas Territories.
Photo: AKDN / Frederic Bukajlo
Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad today met with the French Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou in Paris. The meeting built on the discussions between Mawlana Hazar Imam and French President Emmanuel Macron on 11 July 2025, that included a joint desire to increase support to the Indian Ocean region, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which impacted Mayotte in December 2024.
Located between Mozambique and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Mayotte is surrounded by a vast coral reef system and a lagoon covering about 1,500 km², making it a major destination for diving, snorkeling, and marine wildlife viewing. Mayotte has also been home to a Jamat, many originating from neighbouring Madagascar, for decades.
Today, on World Oceans Day, the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the reconstruction and development of Mayotte, with the French Government and the Agence Française de Développement.
The work in Mayotte is part of a broader AKDN initiative. The work underway in Mayotte forms part of a broader coastal regeneration initiative in the Indian Ocean, led by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in several countries across the region where it has been active for many decades. It will benefit from the experience gained by AKDN in other parts of the region.
Following the memorandum signed last month at the Africa Forward Summit for AFD-AKDN cooperation in Tanzania, today’s MoU sets out initial projects in Mayotte worth €8.5 million. These projects have been selected for their contribution to the regeneration of the lagoon and are funded by AKF as part of the reconstruction and development strategy for Mayotte being implemented by France. AFD has been appointed to coordinate this cooperation.
The principles of Islam teaches us that everything on Earth, from the smallest insect to the tallest tree, has a purpose, and it is our responsibility to be mindful stewards, protecting the environment and its creatures, showing respect for Allah's creations.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Moutchou said, “The expression of solidarity shown by your late father, Aga Khan IV in the days following Cyclone Chido touched us deeply. We were very moved by this gesture, which demonstrates the bonds of trust that unite the Ismaili Imamat and France.”
In his remarks, Prince Aly Muhammad said: “This work builds on many decades of AKDN engagement in coastal regions, where environmental restoration, livelihoods, enterprise development, and community resilience must be understood—and practiced—together. The programme being prepared jointly by our teams focuses on the restoration of coastal zones both on oceans and on lands, and additional preservation work of the Mayotte Marine Natural Park. Our shared conviction is that environmental recovery is not separate from human recovery. Healthy ecosystems protect communities, sustain livelihoods, and create the conditions for long-term resilience.”
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Re: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
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A groundbreaking partnership in Mayotte to support the lagoon and coastal communities and ecosystems
AFD news
Published on June 8, 2026
Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Ministry for Overseas Territories, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Ismaili Imamat have launched a groundbreaking partnership in Mayotte to protect the lagoon, restore coastal ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience to environmental challenges.
On Monday, 8 June 2026, World Oceans Day, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Ministry for Overseas Territories, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Ismaili Imamat signed a memorandum of understanding launching a new partnership for Mayotte. This is the Aga Khan Foundation’s first partnership in a French territory.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou, and AFD Chief Executive Officer Christophe Lecourtier. It marks a new phase in the partnership between AFD and the Aga Khan Foundation at a time when Mayotte faces major environmental, economic, and social challenges, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which caused widespread devastation in late 2024.
The partnership also reflects growing efforts by development actors to protect the world’s oceans, building on the momentum of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), held in Nice in June 2025.
[Feature] Protecting Our Oceans
The agreement signed in Paris establishes the operational framework for an ambitious project to protect Mayotte’s lagoon, restore coastal ecosystems, and strengthen the resilience of the territory and its communities in the face of environmental pressures.
Protecting Mayotte’s lagoon
Mayotte, France’s 101st department, is one of the country’s five global biodiversity hotspots. The island is surrounded by a vast coral barrier that forms the largest reef-lagoon complex in the western Indian Ocean, covering 1,100 km² with an average depth of 40 meters.
Mayotte’s lagoon is home to exceptional wildlife and represents a unique natural heritage. Its remarkable coastal and marine ecosystems include coral reefs – fringing, inner, and barrier reefs – as well as dry forest islets, seagrass beds, and mangroves.
Preserving mangroves, a natural rampart against the ravages of climate change
The project aims to support more sustainable management of this natural heritage through an integrated approach linking marine, coastal, and terrestrial environments, thereby strengthening the land-sea continuum.
The first phase of the project, scheduled for 2027–2030, will focus on three main priorities: preserving the lagoon and its resources, restoring mangroves and other coastal buffer zones, and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices through agroecology and agroforestry. It will complement the Five-Year Strategy for the Reconstruction and Development of Mayotte, launched in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido and led by the Interministerial Mission for the Reconstruction and Renewal of Mayotte.
Planned activities include monitoring water quality, supporting more sustainable fishing practices, restoring mangrove ecosystems, reducing coastal erosion, assisting farmers in adopting sustainable practices, and developing awareness-raising and participatory management tools.
One of the program’s specific objectives will also be to help create the conditions for the inscription of Mayotte’s double barrier reef on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Aga Khan Foundation is contributing €8.5 million to this first phase of the project, which is expected to begin in early 2027.
Working with local stakeholders
The project will be implemented by three public operators: the Mayotte Marine Natural Park, the Coastal Protection Agency (Conservatoire du littoral), and the Public Establishment for the Renewal and Development of Mayotte. Local associations, which play an active role in environmental protection, will also be involved. Technical assistance from the Aga Khan Foundation is planned, particularly in the field of agroecology.
“For the first time, building on 35 years of partnership in Africa and Asia, the Aga Khan Development Network and AFD are joining forces in a French department, Mayotte. In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Chido, we are committed to working together to support the most vulnerable territories, combine our expertise and resources, and contribute to the development of the archipelago, the well-being of its people, and the protection of its lagoon,” said Christophe Lecourtier, Chief Executive Officer of AFD.
A new chapter for Mayotte
For AFD, this partnership reflects an evolving approach to development in France’s overseas territories, where cooperation between public institutions, development partners, and local stakeholders is increasingly essential to address complex environmental, economic, and social challenges.
A groundbreaking partnership in Mayotte to support the lagoon and coastal communities and ecosystems
AFD news
Published on June 8, 2026
Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Ministry for Overseas Territories, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Ismaili Imamat have launched a groundbreaking partnership in Mayotte to protect the lagoon, restore coastal ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience to environmental challenges.
On Monday, 8 June 2026, World Oceans Day, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Ministry for Overseas Territories, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Ismaili Imamat signed a memorandum of understanding launching a new partnership for Mayotte. This is the Aga Khan Foundation’s first partnership in a French territory.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou, and AFD Chief Executive Officer Christophe Lecourtier. It marks a new phase in the partnership between AFD and the Aga Khan Foundation at a time when Mayotte faces major environmental, economic, and social challenges, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which caused widespread devastation in late 2024.
The partnership also reflects growing efforts by development actors to protect the world’s oceans, building on the momentum of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), held in Nice in June 2025.
[Feature] Protecting Our Oceans
The agreement signed in Paris establishes the operational framework for an ambitious project to protect Mayotte’s lagoon, restore coastal ecosystems, and strengthen the resilience of the territory and its communities in the face of environmental pressures.
Protecting Mayotte’s lagoon
Mayotte, France’s 101st department, is one of the country’s five global biodiversity hotspots. The island is surrounded by a vast coral barrier that forms the largest reef-lagoon complex in the western Indian Ocean, covering 1,100 km² with an average depth of 40 meters.
Mayotte’s lagoon is home to exceptional wildlife and represents a unique natural heritage. Its remarkable coastal and marine ecosystems include coral reefs – fringing, inner, and barrier reefs – as well as dry forest islets, seagrass beds, and mangroves.
Preserving mangroves, a natural rampart against the ravages of climate change
The project aims to support more sustainable management of this natural heritage through an integrated approach linking marine, coastal, and terrestrial environments, thereby strengthening the land-sea continuum.
The first phase of the project, scheduled for 2027–2030, will focus on three main priorities: preserving the lagoon and its resources, restoring mangroves and other coastal buffer zones, and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices through agroecology and agroforestry. It will complement the Five-Year Strategy for the Reconstruction and Development of Mayotte, launched in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido and led by the Interministerial Mission for the Reconstruction and Renewal of Mayotte.
Planned activities include monitoring water quality, supporting more sustainable fishing practices, restoring mangrove ecosystems, reducing coastal erosion, assisting farmers in adopting sustainable practices, and developing awareness-raising and participatory management tools.
One of the program’s specific objectives will also be to help create the conditions for the inscription of Mayotte’s double barrier reef on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Aga Khan Foundation is contributing €8.5 million to this first phase of the project, which is expected to begin in early 2027.
Working with local stakeholders
The project will be implemented by three public operators: the Mayotte Marine Natural Park, the Coastal Protection Agency (Conservatoire du littoral), and the Public Establishment for the Renewal and Development of Mayotte. Local associations, which play an active role in environmental protection, will also be involved. Technical assistance from the Aga Khan Foundation is planned, particularly in the field of agroecology.
“For the first time, building on 35 years of partnership in Africa and Asia, the Aga Khan Development Network and AFD are joining forces in a French department, Mayotte. In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Chido, we are committed to working together to support the most vulnerable territories, combine our expertise and resources, and contribute to the development of the archipelago, the well-being of its people, and the protection of its lagoon,” said Christophe Lecourtier, Chief Executive Officer of AFD.
A new chapter for Mayotte
For AFD, this partnership reflects an evolving approach to development in France’s overseas territories, where cooperation between public institutions, development partners, and local stakeholders is increasingly essential to address complex environmental, economic, and social challenges.