Ismaili Centre Dubai

The history goes back some years with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum gifting the 13,000 square meters of land in Oud Metha to the Aga Khan back in 1982. This was on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the Aga Khan's accession to the leadership of the Ismaili community. He is now in his Golden Jubilee year, and it seems fitting that 5 years since the foundation stone was laid, the Ismaili Centre Dubai has now been opened officially. (formally opened on Wednesday 26th March 2008)



This fact that there is an Ismaili Centre situated in Dubai is remarkable in itself. Many of the 20 million strong community do not live here. In fact, there may be only 8000 or so in the whole of the UAE. The majority are dispersed across the world from Northw America and Europe to Syria, Tajikistan, India and Pakistan, but also in many other smaller pockets of the globe.



The building has been inspired by the Fatimid architecture of old Egypt and Syria, and emanates the spirit of Islam. Adjacent to the Centre, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has developed a 3,000 square metre park, as a gift from the Aga Khan to Dubai. Officials at the Centre said it took four years to build and cost 22 million dollars. There are currently 3 other Ismaili Centres in existence in the world located in South Kensington in London, Lisbon and in Burnaby, Vancouver. 2 further centres will come to fruition in the next few years, namely in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and Toronto, Canada



The Aga Khan said that the Centre will serve as "a place for peaceful contemplation.It is not a place to hide from the world, but rather a place which inspires us to engage our worldly work as a direct extension of our faith," the Aga Khan said.The choice of Dubai as a venue was driven by the "diversity" that characterises the city state, which is home to some 1.4 million people, mostly foreigners. Dubai has become "a truly global crossroads" and "the very embodiment of the global village," he said. "The variety of expressions within Islam is not a curse but a mercy," said the Aga Khan, referring to various Sunni and Shia sects. "Shaikh Mohammad has provided a powerful example of how the ethics of our Islamic faith can be taken into the world, through his affirmation of a pillar of Islamic values and the spirit of generosity towards others," he added.



Aside, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid and the Aga Khan share more than just friendship. They are both visionaries and revered by their people. Sheikh Mohamed by the people of the UAE and the Aga Khan by the Ismailis. They both happen to share a love of horseracing, with both of them having had numerous successes over the year.

Aga Khan inaugurates Dubai Ismaili centre
New Ismaili centre offers a place for 'contemplation'
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
An Islamic Conscience - The Aga Khan and the Ismailis
Interview with the Aga Khan (18th April 2008)