On Wednesday 16 April 2026, The Aga Khan Centre welcomed members of The Travellers Club for an enjoyable and informative afternoon that brought together the worlds of diplomacy, scholarship, and the arts.
Founded in 1819, The Travellers Club has long united members of the Diplomatic Service, the Civil Service, and the Armed Forces, alongside distinguished professionals from a wide range of fields. The group included George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, among a number of former diplomats, as well as explorers and authors — a fitting audience for a space dedicated to knowledge, culture, and cross-civilisational dialogue.
Aga Khan Centre and Library collections
The afternoon began in the gardens, where Tours Coordinator Emily Turner guided guests through the building and outdoor spaces, offering insights into the Centre’s thoughtful architectural design. The roof gardens, at their finest in the spring sunshine, provided a welcoming setting for conversation and reflection.
Guests then moved inside for an in-depth tour of the Aga Khan Library, one of London’s foremost specialist collections in Islamic studies and related fields. The tour culminated in a special viewing of rare items, led by Head Librarian Dr Walid Ghali, Collections Development Librarian Shah Hussain, Reference Librarian Waseem Farooq, and Library Assistant Ilaria Gianfranceschi. The opportunity to handle and examine rare and historic materials generated considerable interest among the group.
The visit concluded at the Aga Khan Centre Gallery, where curator Esen Kaya guided guests through the Canticle of the Birds exhibition. The works on display — inspired by the celebrated 12th-century Persian poem Manṭiq al-ṭayr (The Conference of the Birds) by Farīd al-Dīn ʿAṭṭār — drew thoughtful engagement from visitors whose backgrounds include the worlds of literature, history, and the arts.
Building connections through shared interests
The visit was made possible by an introduction from the Royal Society for Asian Affairs (RSAA), IIS had hosted earlier in the year. Feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive, and conversations with several members of the group are continuing – a reminder of how meaningful in-person engagement can be, and of the value of the relationships the IIS continues to build.
If your organisation is interested in arranging a visit to the Aga Khan Centre, its Gallery, and the Aga Khan Library, please get in touch.
