Ismaili Centres Archive
Beginning in the 1970s, Portuguese Ismailis created places of gathering for cultural and social purposes in major cities and towns where they settled. They also found office space for the establishment of philanthropic organisations that they sponsored. As they developed and expanded, these organisations involved increasing numbers of institutional partners and the wider Portuguese public.
President Jorge Sampaio laid the foundation stone of the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon on 18 December 1996, at a Foundation Ceremony presided over by Mawlana Hazar Imam.
The Ismaili Centre, Lisbon was inaugurated on 11 July 1998 by Portugal's President Jorge Sampaio in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
The design brief called for a centre which would draw upon traditional design approaches from Muslim civilizations yet avoid transplanting any idiom particular to a specific locale in its entirety. Significant emphasis was placed upon technological innovation and on construction that would be appropriate to the area. The architects' response was influenced by the morphology of traditional spatial arrangements, by the notion of Islamic gardens and by the patterns in architecture that have served different Muslim societies.
A compilation of resources on TheIsmaili.org and elsewhere about the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon.
On 26 July 1982, the Honourable Henry Bell-Irving, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, performed the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
A compilation of resources on TheIsmaili.org and elsewhere about the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby.
The Ismaili Centre’s design brief called for a synthesis between the ethics, values and traditions of faith, and the requirements of contemporary society. Revitalising historical memory while nourishing innovation, the design concept encouraged the use of indigenous materials, patterns, colours, textures and shapes, yet asked that its functionality and efficiency embody the aspirations of future generations.
The Foundation Ceremony took place on 13 December 2003 in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who represented Sheikh Mohammaed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
On 26 March 2008, Mawlana Hazar Imam officially opened the Ismaili Centre, Dubai in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.
The Foundation Ceremony for the Ismaili Centre, London took place on 6 September 1979. Mawlana Hazar Imam presided over the inauguration, as Lord Soames performed the ceremony of foundation.
The Ismaili Centre, London was opened on 24 April 1985 by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam.
A compilation of resources on TheIsmaili.org and elsewhere about the Ismaili Centre, London.
Casson Conder Partnership were requested to design an institutional building in an area of London that was architecturally diverse but which clearly had Western inspiration. The Centre had to be compatible with its surroundings while meeting the specific requirements of the Ismaili community, and reflect the mood of Islamic architectural tradition.
