In the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam and members of his family, Prince Amyn was honoured for his long-standing service to the Ismaili Imamat, the Jamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
LIF Chairman, Dr Mahmoud Eboo, offered felicitations to Prince Amyn on this milestone occasion, and conveyed appreciation for Prince Amyn’s work in service of the Jamat and wider society. Chairman Eboo expressed “In celebrating your 80th birthday today, we offer our prayers, our gratitude, our felicitations and good wishes, for your good health and long life and that you may long stand by Hazar Imam. We wish you a very happy 80th birthday.”
Prince Amyn has been deeply involved in the work of AKDN for a number of decades, particularly in the establishment of the Serena brand of Hotels, and the focus on architecture and the built environment in societies where Muslims have a significant presence. As a connoisseur of heritage, music, and fine art, Prince Amyn has also been active in the inception of both the Aga Khan Music Initiative and the Aga Khan Museum, along with the many parks and gardens commissioned and restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
Luis Monreal, the General Manager of AKTC paid tribute to Prince Amyn’s work for the Imamat, and noted his rare capacity as a man of many talents, stating “Over the years you have established a complicity with His Highness, and this has contributed, I think, enormously to the amazing breadth and multidimensional character of His Highness’ enterprises. You have been a creative advisor, you have been an active partner, and a faithful confidant.”
As part of the occasion, Prince Amyn was presented with the gift of a 19th century French gilt bronze and champlevé enamel clock, reminiscent of the form of an Ottoman fountain pavilion. In his remarks, Prince Amyn thanked guests for their generosity, saying “I do want to thank you very much indeed. You are all of course Hazar Imam’s spiritual children, so in a way you are my extended family, and that is the way I think of you.”
Reflecting Prince Amyn’s love of music, the event concluded with a unique performance of sama, the song and mystical dance of the Mevlevi sufi order. The Meshk Ensemble were present to recreate precious lost pieces of the order, originally penned by the scholar and mystical poet Jalal al-Din Rumi.
