The visit began at NOS Cinemas, the venue for the International Film Festival, where Prince Aly Muhammad’s short film Close to Home, highlighting climate change in Northern Pakistan, was among the many pieces being shown this week. Joined by Prince Hussain and leaders of the Jamat, Prince Aly Muhammad viewed a screening of his film, and two others, alongside approximately 300 attendees.
Explaining the context behind the film in his introductory remarks, Prince Aly Muhammad said, “Climate change is an issue that is becoming more and more urgent. And it’s an issue that my generation and young adults will have to deal with. And that’s why I went to Northern Pakistan and I made Close to Home.”
Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad viewed two additional films as part of the International Film Festival, one entitled The Last of Wakhi Shepherdess, the other called Islamica. Following the film festival viewing, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad viewed the exhibitions at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa, where they toured Rays of Light, Fine Art Photography by Prince Hussain, Aga Khan Museum Pop-Up Exhibit, and Ethics in Action.
They also explored the self-serve kiosks at the Titles and Awards walls, where Prince Aly Muhammad stopped to ask about the volunteer resources, specifically the time it takes to put on an exhibit of this calibre.
They continued on to the Prince Hussain Aga Khan: Nature Photographic Exhibition. The photographs provide a glimpse of the rich diversity of animal life and the natural world, of which humans are stewards. The exhibition allows visitors to reflect on our responsibility to preserve and protect this beautiful planet. Prince Hussain shared the story behind each photo as he walked through the exhibit.
Referring to his exhibit Prince Hussain explained, “We have so many issues to deal with and the environment is a very important one, a very big one.
The Nature Photography exhibit focuses mainly on the underwater environment, shining a positive light on aquatic animals that are often feared or misunderstood, such as sharks.
`’[I am] doing the part that I can, a small part to reverse things and change people’s minds a little bit and to share the beauty I see,” Prince Hussain said.
At the Aga Khan Museum Pop-Up Exhibit, Prince Hussain pointed out what a wonderful opportunity the Jamat in Lisbon has to experience the museum. He commented that the exhibit captured the true essence of the Bellerive room at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
The next stop was the International Art Gallery, where Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad admired the work of hundreds of talented Ismaili artists. The gallery features a showcase of visual art including painting, paper art, sculpture, three-dimensional art, graphic design, installation art, and more.
Following the gallery, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad arrived at the Portugal Pavilion Canopy where they joined the audience for an afternoon viewing of the Jubilee Arts International Talent Showcase. They enjoyed musical acts from Pakistan and Australia, dance performances from India and Canada, and a live performance of the official Jubilee Arts song. When hosts Huse and Rosemin Madhavji thanked the volunteers of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad acknowledged them with a round of applause.
Referring to the International Arts Festival, Prince Aly Muhammad said, “this festival so far has been nothing but a success, full of passion, full of creativity, so I can’t tell you how excited I am to now be a part of it.”
