Mohammad presents Aga Khan Awards in Al Ain

Muslim world’s six best new structures scooped up a Dh3.67m prize in a sparkling ceremony at the historic Al Ain fort

Shaikh Mohammad and Aga Khan with the winners after the presentation of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

 

Al Ain: The people behind the creation of what has been judged the Muslim world’s six best new structures scooped up a Dh3.67 million prize on Sunday, in a sparkling ceremony held at the historic Al Ain fort.

The prizes for the six winners of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture were presented by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shaikh Mohammad and his entourage had earlier arrived at Al Jahili fort, its towering walls bathed in flood-lit green to mark the occasion.

As he walked through 125-year-old fort’s arched stone entrance, a hushed silence fell over the crowd of architects, urban planners, award officials and journalists.

Joining Shaikh Mohammad on the stage to present the prizes was Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of around 15 million Ismaili Muslims and the award’s creator.