Saturday, November 7, 2009 Previous editions
His Highness the Aga Khan was honoured today by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth for his work against poverty and in promoting religious understanding.
The renowned racehorse breeder and spiritual leader of the world’s Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims received an honorary doctorate from the Chancellor of the NUI, Dr Garret FitzGerald.
The Aga Khan, who part owns some of Europe’s leading stud farms, is the first member of the Islamic community to be honoured in the history of NUI.
The university said he was cited for “outstanding contributions to the elimination of global poverty, the advancement of women, the promotion of Islamic culture and the furthering of pluralistic values in society”.
NUI Maynooth President Professor John Hughes praised the Aga Khan.
“The college is honouring an individual who has made a significant positive impact in the developing world,” the Professor said.
“He has championed religious pluralism as a way of building a common understanding among millions of people throughout the globe.
“We in Ireland readily identify with this view given, that it brought peace to this island.
“This University is very proud to honour the Aga Khan and to recognise his great achievements.”
The Aga Khan is chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network one of the largest private development groups in the world.
He has also become one of the most successful players in the thoroughbred racing industry across Europe breeding his own stock and using other stallions rather than buying horses winning all of Europe’s top horse racing prizes.
He became Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
He is the 49th hereditary Imam leading Ismailis in 25 countries in west and central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America and western Europe.
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