Golden Jubilee:Visits :United Arab Emirates visit

United Arab Emirates visit



Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurates the Ismaili Centre Dubai


The Centre is a renewed symbol of hope in a city of convergence and connectivity

“It is my humble prayer that, when built, the Ismaili Centre in Dubai will be a place for contemplation and search for enlightenment, where people come together to share knowledge and wisdom. It will be a place of peace, of order, of hope and of brotherhood, radiating those thoughts, attitudes and sentiments which unite, and which do not divide, and which uplift the mind and the spirit.”
— Mawlana Hazar Imam, Foundation-stone laying ceremony of the Ismaili Centre Dubai, 20 December 2003

Approaching Dubai’s small residential community of Oud Mehta, with its growing cultural and commercial character, one cannot help but be struck by the magnanimous five-domed structure located on Sheikh Zayed Road. Here, a building lies in sharp contrast to its surroundings, yet gently blends in; its grand façade flowing from a beautiful sandstone entrance, patterned to immaculate detail and leading to lush green manicured gardens; its palms providing subtle shade.
This is the Ismaili Centre Dubai, built on 13,000 square metres of land. It is the fourth Ismaili Centre around the world, and the first in the Middle East, joining other Ismaili Centres of the same architectural standing: in London, United Kingdom, Vancouver, Canada and Lisbon, Portugal.
One’s mood is immediately subdued upon entering the building. Its tranquil yet distinct interior is dominated by the gently rippling twelve sided fountain situated in the entranceway. Its walls are made almost entirely of limestone from Aleppo in Syria; its red and beige floors crafted from the finest marble. The Centre creates the ambience set to soothe the spirit. A rendering in oil on canvas of the Surah al- Fateha, the opening chapter of the Holy Qur’an, beginning with the phrase, “In the name of Allah,” ignites the spirit, preparing it for peaceful reflection.
One looks up to the ceiling in awe of the magnificent chandelier which gently lights the entrance; to the side, a raised ceremonial balcony, with its detailed woodwork, opens to a gallery below with large arched windows creating a sensation of a bridge spanning two water bodies.
The largest exterior feature is a courtyard with a takhtabosh (loggia) along side. Providing both shade and seating, it is the perfect place to enjoy the trees and shrubbery. Flowing water provides a cooling sensation.
Pattern, symmetry, rhythm and continuity bring limestone, marble and woodwork together in the most meaningful and unique manner.
As part of his Golden Jubilee visit to the United Arab Emirates, Mawlana Hazar Imam inaugurated The Ismaili Centre Dubai on 26th March 2008 with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. The dignified ceremony which took place in the Social Hall was also attended by Prince Rahim and Princess Zahra as well as other senior members of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates and numerous donors, both in Dubai and around the world, who had so generously contributed towards the building of the Centre.
It was a day that the Dubai Jamat and others from around the world will remember for generations to come. Mawlana Hazar Imam described the opening as “a Golden Jubilee moment which connects the past to the future …” It brought back memories of when Mawlana Hazar Imam had laid the foundation stone of the Centre four years earlier, when he had said, “Today's ceremony marks an event that I believe to be as significant for the contemporary landscape of this region as it is historic for the Ismaili Muslim Community worldwide. At a time when the search for mutual understanding remains essential to assuring peace and stability, the creation of spaces that will enable that search becomes a greater imperative than ever.”
Today was that momentous day. The space had been created for exactly this purpose. Now, in his remarks at the opening ceremony, Mawlana Hazar Imam expressed his gratitude to the Ruling family for attending the ceremony, remarking that their presence was itself a symbol of the wonderful diversity that characterised Dubai. “Your interest and support gives added meaning to our celebration - as we honour today a great architectural accomplishment, the exciting institutional activities for which it will provide a home, and the remarkable people who have made all of this possible,” he said.
Mawlana Hazar Imam went on to explain why he felt this was a truly milestone event. The site was a gift from the Ruling family of Dubai, presented to Mawlana Hazar Imam on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee in 1982 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, now Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
The development of the Centre had been driven by the continued shared vision and spirit of the two leaders in keeping with Islamic traditions of the search for knowledge and contributing to the betterment of humanity.
In his speech Mawlana Hazar Imam explained why he felt this was such an historic event. “We welcome our new Ismaili Centre in a setting which has itself become a great centre – a hub of cosmopolitan activity, a truly global crossroads. We hear a great deal these days about the words ‘convergence’ and ‘connectivity’. In my judgment, Dubai is a place where those words truly come to life. Dubai has become the very embodiment of the global village, placing itself at the forefront of an enormous surge toward global convergence,” he said.
Mawlana Hazar Imam said the Dubai Centre exemplified the Dubai ethic that honoured the generous exchange of knowledge and ideas, welcomed the opportunity to learn from others, and that celebrated not only our historic identities but also our open horizons. “This ethic of exploration and interconnectedness is one that is deeply shared by the Ismaili community. It is an ethic, in fact, that is firmly rooted in our faith – a value system which grows from deeply spiritual roots,” he said. “It understands that human diversity is itself a gift of Allah – that pluralism is not a threat but a blessing. It sees the desire to explore and connect as a way to learn and grow – not to dilute our identities but to enrich our self-knowledge. This ethic emanates ultimately from a relationship to the Divine which inspires a deep sense of personal humility – and a relationship to humankind which is infused with a spirit of generous service and mutual respect.”
Mawlana Hazar Imam went on to explain the role of the building, as “a place for peaceful contemplation, but one that is set in a social context.” He emphasised, “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.”
One reflects on these thoughts, walking towards the largest dome in the Centre, over the Jamatkhana, the building’s most important space. Here, an enormous brass chandelier from Egypt, with its hanging lanterns create the ambience for quiet and peaceful contemplation and truly inspire. On either side of the front wall, stone and honey-coloured glass in different shades adds to the atmosphere.
Drawing a parallel between the vision of Sheikh Mohammed, who said, “I always ask: How can I help? What can I do for people? How can I improve people’s lives?” and his own vision, Mawlana Hazar Imam explained that the Dubai narrative was all about changing peoples’ lives for the better. “We like to talk about building what we call an “enabling environment”, one that can provide what we have called “the spark” which can “ignite” a spirit of individual determination” he said.
After opening the Ismaili Centre Dubai, Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Prince Rahim and Princess Zahra, officially opened the Dubai Park together with Hussain Nasir Lootah, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality. Situated across the road from the Ismaili Centre Dubai, the Dubai Park is a gift from Mawlana Hazar Imam to the city of Dubai. Developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in a style reminiscent of Azhar Park in Cairo, Egypt, the 3,000 square metre park is inspired by Islamic gardens and water pools.
Later that same day, Mawlana Hazar Imam was Guest of Honor at the launch of the “Khor Dubai” Cultural Project unveiled by UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. The project which aims to establish Dubai as a global centre for cultural and civilised dialogue, will create a cultural hub along the 20 kilometre shoreline of Dubai Creek and envisions the construction of libraries, theatres, museums and other cultural institutions, including the first museum dedicated to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family).
Prior to his arrival in Dubai, Mawlana Hazar Imam visited Abu Dhabi, where he was welcomed by Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. Here, together with Prince Rahim and Princess Zahra, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, who also hosted a luncheon in Mawlana Hazar Imam’s honour. Mawlana Hazar Imam also met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE.