Three alumni of the IIS Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities (GPISH) performed during the Aga KhanA title granted by the Shah of Persia to the then Ismaili Imam in 1818 and inherited by each of his successors to the Imamate. Music Programme Freestage at Southbank Centre on 22 November 2025. Their performance highlighted the artistic contributions of IIS graduates and their role in sustaining diverse musical traditions within the global Ismaili community.
Aga Khan Music Awards
Held from 20 to 23 November, the third cycle of the Aga Khan Music Awards marked the first time the programme was hosted in the United Kingdom. Established in 2018 by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and his brother Prince Amyn Aga Khan, the Awards honour outstanding achievement across musical cultures in Muslim contexts. They recognise individuals, groups, and institutions whose work revitalises heritage, encourages creativity, and strengthens cultural resilience.
Guided by an Advisory Council co-chaired by His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V and Prince Amyn Aga Khan, the Awards remain open to practitioners worldwide, without regard to geography, religion, gender, or nationality. The programme celebrates music as a living expression of human experience and a catalyst for dialogue across cultures and generations. As Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Programme and the Awards, notes:
“Music stands at the heart of human experience, inseparable from our stories and essential to the strength and cohesion of our communities.”
A landmark partnership in London
For the first time, the Aga Khan Music Awards were presented in partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival and Southbank Centre. Over four days, audiences experienced musical traditions from West Africa, South and West Asia, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean. The festival-style programme showcased devotional qawwali and khayal, Gnawa music, Turkish and Greek classical traditions, new sounds from West Asia, and contemporary fusions with jazz and orchestral music.
The 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards laureates were announced during the London programme, recognising 11 individuals and ensembles for their contributions to musical heritage. The winners included Sahba Aminikia (Iran/USA), Mariam Bagayoko (Mali), Senny Camara (Senegal), Kamilya Jubran (Palestine/France), Farah Kaddour (Lebanon), Kyriakos Kalaidzidis (Greece), Hamid El Kasri (Morocco), the Qalali Folk Band (Bahrain), Ustad Naseeruddin Saami (Pakistan), Derya Türkan (Türkiye), and the Warsi Brothers (India). Special Awards were conferred on Mariam Bagayoko for Lifetime Achievement and on Naseeruddin Saami and the Warsi Brothers for their artistic lineage and contribution.
Pelin Opcin, Director of the London Jazz Festival, described the partnership as “an opportunity to witness exceptional performances and unique collaborations that reinforce the festival’s spirit of discovery and global connection.”
IIS alumni at the Freestage showcase
As part of the wider programme, the Aga Khan Music Programme curated a special Freestage concert to spotlight outstanding Ismaili artists from across the UK. From more than 80+ applications, only a small group of musicians were selected to perform. Three of the finalists were GPISH alumni: Imran Jamal (GPISH 2021), Saad Ata Barcha (GPISH 2025), and Khalid Ansari (GPISH 2024). Imran and Khalid are currently professionally engaged with IIS, while Saad is pursuing a PhD in Music at the University of Oxford and is the recipient of the IIS Farhad Daftary Doctoral Scholarship. The showcase also featured students and graduates of the Aga Khan Music Schools in Cairo and Kyrgyzstan, alongside selected artists from the global Ismaili community.
Performances and collaborations
IIS alumni contributed to several pieces during the one-hour programme:
- “Ashurr Jan” – an original cross-cultural composition blending a folk melody from Hunza with a mawwāl vocal improvisation rooted in West Asian musical traditions. Composed and written by Hunza-based poet Zulfiqar Ali Bercha, the piece was re-arranged by Mujeeb Ruzik, music teacher at the Leif Larsen Music Centre. It was performed with Rama Alcoutlabi (Syria, vocals) and Mujeeb-ur-Rehman (Hunza, rubab).
- A collaboration with the Aga Khan Master Musicians – a joint piece created specifically for the Freestage showcase, bringing together the ensemble’s signature approach to intercultural musical dialogue with the alumni’s regional musical influences.
- Support for Rama Alcoutlabi – the alumni contributed instrumental and ensemble support for two of Rama’s performance pieces, adding texture and depth to her vocal-led compositions.
- Ensemble support for other artists – Imran and Khalid supported Durri Zahir (UK) during her rubab solo, while Khalid also performed alongside Ehson Mirzoev (Tajikistan).
Creative growth and IIS’s educational ethos
The alumni’s musical development reflects IIS’ broader educational ethos, which encourages students to engage with diverse cultural, linguistic, and artistic traditions. Rooted in the Ismaili Imam’s vision for pluralism and the AKDN’s commitment to strengthening cultural vitality, IIS provides an environment where students learn from one another, explore new forms of creative expression, and build skills that support both intellectual and artistic growth.
Through collaboration with peers from varied backgrounds and participation in academic and community events, many IIS students deepen their understanding of cultural heritage and refine their creative practice. This ethos of cross-cultural engagement shaped the perspectives the alumni brought to their performances at the Aga Khan Music Awards.
The presence of IIS alumni at the Aga Khan Music Awards 2025 highlights the depth of talent within the Institute’s global community. Their performances contributed to a programme built on creativity, heritage, and intercultural exchange. The Institute congratulates Imran, Saad, and Khalid on their achievement and looks forward to their continued artistic contributions.
