Chitral Times Report
Lisbon, Portugal, 10 July 2018 –In an historic address to Portugal’s Members of Parliament that received a standing ovation, His Highness the Aga Khan praised Portugal as a leader on the global stage, one that is widely acknowledged as a country of opportunity, and thanked Portugal for a “progressive partnership” with the Ismaili Imamat. The speech took placein the Senate Chamber at the invitation of His Excellency Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, the President of the Assembly of the Republic,with whom His Highness also held bilateral meetings today. The address coincides with global celebrations taking place in Lisbon commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan, marking 60 years of his leadership as the49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
Historic Address Reinforces Ongoing Partnership
The address marked yet another significant milestone in an increasingly close relationship between the Ismaili Imamat (office of the Imam) and the Portuguese Republic. Building on a series of earlier accords and at the invitation of the Republic of Portugal, the Ismaili Imamat established a Seat in Portugal in 2015 pursuant to a landmark agreement.As a reflection of the mutual esteem and trust that has traditionally characterised their relationship, that agreement and the establishment of a Seat in Portugal was unanimously endorsed by the Parliament of the Republic. The Ismaili Imamatand the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) share a long history with the Government of Portugal that has included partnerships to help improvethe quality of life for people within Lusophone communities and around the world. Portugal is also home to a sizeable Ismaili population within Europe, and the Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the AKDN, which has been operating in the country for almost four decades in the areas of early childhood development, education, civil society, economic inclusion and care for the elderly.
