Aga Khan Foundation Logo, Characterized by a Universal Symbol of Skill and Caring

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“The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) focuses on a small number of specific development problems by forming intellectual and financial partnerships with organisations sharing its objectives. Most Foundation grants are made to grassroots organisations testing innovative approaches in the field.  With a small staff, a host of cooperating agencies and thousands of volunteers, the Foundation reaches out to vulnerable populations on four continents, irrespective of their race, religion, political persuasion or gender.”  (excerpted from http://www.akdn.org/akf)

 

 

The Logo of the Aga Khan Foundation

The Logo of the Aga Khan Foundation

 

 

 

The logo of the Aga Khan Foundation was designed by Mr. Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq of Pakistan for the Aga Khan Foundation in 1978, and is used by the Foundation as a unifying element for all its communications.

The logo is based on the right hand, a universal symbol of skill, achievement and caring. It symbolizes the humanitarian and positive philosophy underlying the Foundation and its activities.

In every language there are idioms and proverbs illustrating the importance of the right hand as an instrument of human achievement.

In Islam, the hand has a number of meanings: its shape reflects its comprehensive and positive character, while its constituents represent the five principles of Islam and the five senses of the human body.  

The stylized fingers of the Aga Khan Foundation logo represent “Allah” in the Kufic script, and the interlacing beneath the fingers correspond to the anatomy of the hand and also delienates the sign, which in Chinese stands for Wisdom.

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