: Aga Khan Plans Huge Islamic Centre in London

Under a proposal released last week by Prince Karim Aga Khan, leader of the world’s Ismaili branch of Shi’ite Muslims, a 24 million pound ($35 million) Islamic Centre will stand opposite the centuries-old Houses of Parliament and next to Lambeth Palace, the official home of the Church of England’s religious head, housing various academic and cultural facilities built in line with local architecture. Although the sale of the land (by academic institution Kings College) has been opposed by an adjacent hospital (which wants to expand), the British government has said it will not oppose the Aga Khan’s bid (twice which the hospital can afford). It’s not the first time the Aga Khan’s development team has contributed to local architecture and expands on other cultural sponsorships, including the Silk Road Caravan tour featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.