Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, met Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat during his visit to the Indian state.
The meeting focused on the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to improve the quality of life in Gujarat and other parts of India.
Prince Rahim thanked the governor for his welcome and the discussion. He also highlighted a shared commitment to addressing important social and development challenges.
The meeting was part of Prince Rahim’s first official visit to India since becoming the 50th hereditary Imam in February 2025. His India tour runs from September 9 to 15 and includes meetings with senior Indian leaders and visits to cities where AKDN has development and community programmes.
AKDN Work in Gujarat
Gujarat has a long history of engagement with institutions of the Ismaili Imamat.
AKDN programmes in the state include support for agriculture, rural development and community welfare. The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme has also worked with farming communities in Gujarat.
The network’s wider work in India covers healthcare, education, rural development, women’s empowerment, habitat, heritage conservation and climate resilience. Indian officials have recently praised these initiatives and their contribution to improving people’s quality of life.
Prince Rahim Holds Community Didars
During his Gujarat visit, Prince Rahim also granted two didars for Ismaili Jamats in the state.
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In the morning, the Mukhi of Ahmedabad Headquarters Jamatkhana submitted bay‘a on behalf of the Northern and Eastern Gujarat Jamats.
Following the session, Prince Rahim received an artwork titled “The Promise: Bay‘a.” The installation features hand-to-hand imagery inspired by the Holy Qur’an. It also includes tiles bearing the palm prints of young murids and reflecting their commitment to living their bay‘a each day.
Southern Saurashtra Jamat
In the afternoon, the Mukhi of Junagadh Headquarters Jamatkhana submitted bay‘a on behalf of the Southern Saurashtra Jamat.
After the afternoon didar, Prince Rahim was presented with another artwork titled “Blooms of Gratitude.”
The installation features more than 10,000 flowers arranged to form the word “Shukr,” meaning gratitude.
Thousands of senior citizens and people with disabilities from the Jamat took part in creating the artwork through various Jamatkhanas and Learning Resource Centres.
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Development and Community Engagement
Prince Rahim’s Gujarat visit combines government engagement with community activities.
His meeting with Governor Devvrat followed discussions with India’s national leadership in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met Prince Rahim and discussed stronger cooperation with AKDN in healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment and women’s empowerment.
Prince Rahim also met President Droupadi Murmu, who highlighted AKDN projects in areas including water and sanitation, education, maternal health, urban redevelopment and employment.
The Gujarat engagements further highlight the network’s long-standing development and community work in India.
