LONDON, Nov. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ustad Naseeruddin Saami; widely regarded as Pakistan's preeminent living classical vocalist, has been honoured with the Patron's Award at the Aga Khan Music Awards 2025 in a ceremony on Friday night at the Southbank Centre, London.
The recognition placed Pakistan at the heart of a global celebration of cultural heritage as the world's music industry came together to celebrate eleven groundbreaking artists from Morocco, Bahrain, Türkiye, Iran, Lebanon, India, Mali, Palestine, Greece, Pakistan and Senegal, each representing a wide range of musical heritages and their evolutions.
Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is widely regarded as Pakistan's preeminent living classical vocalist. He is a torchbearer of the Delhi Gharana (hereditary lineage) of Hindustani music, which traces its origins to Amir Khusrau (1253–1325), the Sufi mystic, visionary polymath, celebrated pluralist, and bridge builder who shaped the cultural history of South Asia. Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is a master of khayal, the refined art of improvisation within the constraints of raga (melody) and tala (rhythm) in Hindustani music. Together with his four sons - Rauf Saami, Urooj Saami, Ahmed Saami, and Azeem Saami - who perform as the Saami Brothers, he leads a renowned qawwali group that preserves the poetic, musical, and spiritual legacy of Amir Khusrau.
The Aga Khan Music Award laureates, selected by an independent jury from a pool of over 400 nominees, share a prize fund of $500,000. The Awards ceremony headlined a four-day festival celebrating music from the Great East, marking the first time the Aga Khan Music Awards have taken place in the United Kingdom.
His Highness the Aga Khan:
"I am honoured to carry forward a vision deeply rooted in my father's belief in the power of music to bridge cultures and uplift the human spirit. The Aga Khan Music Awards reflect values that lie at the heart of the Aga Khan Development Network: pluralism, intercultural dialogue and the spiritual connection that communities around the world find in music. In many of the regions we serve, music is an integral part of daily life, woven into the rhythms of prayer, celebration, memory and identity. We continue to support artists and traditions that speak not only to heritage, but also to hope."
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Ustad Naseeruddin Saami receives Aga Khan Music Award for preserving the spiritual and musical legacy of Amir Khusrau
Ustad Naseeruddin Saami receives Aga Khan Music Award for preserving the spiritual and musical legacy of Amir Khusrau
HONG KONG, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Young Financial Planners Association (YFPA) successfully held its inaugural "YFPA Financial Education Forum – Money Monkey FinEd Forum" on 28 March 2026 at CyberArena, Cyberport. The Forum marked one of the Association's flagship annual financial education initiatives and was organised in support of the territory-wide "Hong Kong Money Month" campaign led by the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC).
Through professional dialogue and interactive exchange, the Forum aimed to enhance public financial knowledge and promote sound financial values across different sectors of society.
The event attracted over 170 students, educators, invited guests and members of the public. The atmosphere was vibrant and highly engaging. The Forum was also broadcast live on social media platforms, enabling wider community participation. Recorded content will be developed into educational materials to further extend the social impact of financial literacy promotion.
Distinguished Host and Esteemed Panelists
In-Depth Dialogue on Five Key Financial Themes
The Forum was hosted and moderated by renowned Hong Kong media personality Mr. Stephen Chan Chi Wan, who led a dynamic roundtable discussion with four distinguished guest speakers from academia and the financial sector:
- Prof. Christina YU Wai Mui
- Mr. Francis KWOK Sze-Chi
- Prof. Amy YEUNG
- Prof. Simon LEE Siu Po
Representing expertise across academic research, market practice, economic analysis and youth education, the panel offered forward-looking insights and practical advice from multiple perspectives.
The discussion focused on five core themes:
- Savings planning and fundamentals of financial management
- Personal investment strategies and risk management
- Women's financial management and evolving consumption patterns
- Macroeconomic trends analysis
- Greater Bay Area development opportunities and youth positioning
By integrating professional theory with real-world experience, the speakers unpacked complex economic topics in an accessible and engaging manner, helping participants build a structured and practical financial mindset. The Q&A session saw enthusiastic participation from students and attendees, reflecting the Forum's high level of engagement and interactivity.
Strong Support from the Education Sector
Youth Experience the Power of Financial Knowledge Firsthand
The Forum received strong support from various schools, including Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School and TWGHs Kwok Yat Wai College, which organised teachers and students to attend. Students were highly attentive throughout the sessions and actively participated in discussions, demonstrating strong interest in financial planning and economic issues.
The venue adopted an interactive stage format, moving beyond the traditional one-way seminar model. This setup fostered an open, relaxed and inspiring exchange environment, making financial education more relatable to young people and their daily lives.
Founder's Vision
Building Financial Literacy as a Foundation for Youth Development
Mr. Kingsley Yee, Chairman and Founder of YFPA, shared the Association's founding vision and development journey during the Forum. He emphasised that financial education goes beyond money management—it is a fundamental life skill that cultivates responsibility, planning ability and long-term vision.
"Young people who establish sound financial values and habits early in life will enhance their personal competitiveness and contribute to overall economic stability and sustainable development in society," he said.
YFPA will continue to promote financial literacy through diversified programmes and cross-sector collaborations, benefiting more young people and families in the years ahead.
Continuing to Advance Financial Literacy in Society
Founded in 2022, YFPA is a charitable institution exempt from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. The Association is dedicated to enhancing youth financial literacy as its core mission. In recognition of its contributions and achievements in youth financial education, YFPA was honoured with the "Investor and Financial Education Award" by the IFEC in 2024 and 2025.
The successful launch of the inaugural Financial Education Forum marks a significant milestone in YFPA's journey to promote financial literacy. Moving forward, YFPA will continue responding to societal needs by advancing financial knowledge that is accessible, professional and youth-oriented, nurturing a new generation equipped with strong financial capabilities.
Event Details (Completed Event)
Event Name: YFPA Financial Education Forum – Money Monkey FinEd Forum
Date: Saturday, 28 March 2026
Venue: CyberArena, Cyberport (Cyberport Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong)
Number of Participants: Over 170
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YFPA Successfully Hosts Inaugural Financial Education Forum Over 170 Participants Join to Promote Financial Literacy Across the Community
