On Sunday March 18, Texas Governor Greg Abbott lauded the longstanding partnership and friendship with His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and the Ismaili Muslim Community in Texas, according to press release issued by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

The Governor spoke at a luncheon hosted in honor of the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee, drawing upon examples of the Aga Khan’s exemplary leadership and accomplishments in improving healthcare and education and the quality of life for people in developing countries.  He commended the strong spirit of volunteerism within the Ismaili Community, referencing the recent Points of Light Award where the Community was recognized in the presence of all five living former U.S. presidents for its relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

“We have a state motto - and that motto is friendship. This is a friendship that has lasted many years and that we expect will continue many years into the future,” Governor Abbott remarked.

Speaking in the presence of key representatives of the Texas State Government, City Governments, civil society, academic organizations and the business community, the Aga Khan thanked the Governor for the strong collaboration between the State of Texas and the Ismaili Imamat.

The Aga Khan is founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the world’s most comprehensive development organizations.

The Aga Khan emphasized the importance of strengthening civil society in Africa, Asia and the Middle East: “civil society is a key resource for development.  Everything we do together to invest and enhance the capacity of civil society is a blessing that you give to the populations in those countries.”

“I hope we can work together in building bridges between our institutions and our programs, and that we can continue to measure the wonderful impact of your generosity and your knowledge,” he added.

The Aga Khan arrived in Houston earlier in the day to a military honor guard and saber salute by the Texas A&M Ross Volunteers. Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, City of Houston Chief of Protocol Deanea LeFlore, and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman welcomed him to the State of Texas.  Mayor Zimmerman presented the Aga Khan with a Key to the City of Sugar Land in recognition of his 60 years of commitment to improving the quality of life for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

The Aga Khan has made several visits to Texas.  In 2002, then Governor Rick Perry and the Aga Khan jointly inaugurated the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land, as a place to build bridges and encourage mutual exchange between civic organizations and faith communities.  Furthering the commitment of the Ismaili Imamat and the AKDN to their partnership with the State of Texas, the Aga Khan returned at the time of his Golden Jubilee in 2008 and again in 2009, to formalize an Agreement of Cooperation with the State of Texas.  This Agreement enabled collaboration between the State of Texas, the Ismaili Imamat, and the AKDN in the areas of education, health sciences, natural disaster preparedness and recovery, culture and the environment.