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Posted: 09 Jul 2008 11:19 AM CDT Source
Humayun’s tomb is a complex of buildings of Mughal architecture located in Nizamuddin east, New Delhi. In time of Slave Dynasty this land was under the KiloKheri Fort which was capital of Sultan Kequbad son of Nasiruddin (1268-1287). It encompasses the main tomb of the Emperor Humayun as well as numerous others. The complex is a World Heritage Site and the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. This style of mausoleum was the same that created the Taj Mahal in Agra. The tomb of Humayun was built by the orders of Hamida Banu Begum, Humayun’s widow starting in 1562. The architect of the edifice was reportedly Sayyed Muhammad ibn Mirak Ghiyathuddin and his father Mirak Ghiyathuddin who were brought in from Herat. It took 8 years to build and had a Chahr Bagh Garden style in its design, the first of its kind in the region. Restoration work by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture was completed in March 2003, enabling water to flow through the watercourses in the gardens once more. Funding for this work was a gift from the institutions of His Highness the Aga Khan to India. In addition, AKTC is conducting a more significant restoration at Babur’s tomb, the resting place of Humayun’s father in Kabul.          |
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Pakistan: Prince Karim Aga Khan’s Imamat Day celebrations today Posted: 10 Jul 2008 08:36 PM CDT The News
International Pakistan The 51st Imamat Day of Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader and 49th hereditary Hazir Imam of Ismaili Shia Muslims, is being celebrated today around the world by his followers, including those here in Pakistan. The Prince Karim Aga Khan ascended to the throne of Imamat on July 11, 1957, replacing his grand father Sultan Muhammed Shah. The day traditionally begins with prayers in Jamat Khanas for the prosperity and uplift of Muslims in particular and humanity in general, followed by programmes ranging from shedding light on the achievements, both spiritual and temporal, of the Ismaili Muslaims under the leadership of their Hazir Imam. In one of his recent Farameens (sermons), Price Karim Aga Khan has emphasised upon the Ismailies in particular and Muslim in general to reposition theology with respect to the normal forces of human society to help develop the understanding that Muslims too live in the real world and have to contend with the same issues of life - poverty, hunger, tragedy and civil conflict - as being faced by other communities in the world. “It is a very prestigious day for us. The second Imam in a row that has crossed fifty years. It’s a big thing in Jamat Khana tomorrow; everyone’s geared up for the day,” said one follower. |
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Posted: 10 Jul 2008 03:41 PM CDT
Jul 10, 2008 16:00 ET OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire - July 10, 2008) - I am pleased to join Canadian Ismailis, as well as Ismailis around the world, in marking the accession of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan as Imam of the Shi’a Ismaili Muslims. Mowlana Hazar Imam has now led the Ismaili Muslims for more than half a century. During those years he has exerted a profound influence within his community and far beyond. Canada has greatly benefited from members of the Ismaili community who have made this country their home and who contribute to all aspects of Canadian life. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said, “We are proud to live in a country that embraces the many cultures and religions of the world. Our Government considers diversity to be one of this country’s greatest assets, and we are committed to strengthening both our pluralism and our national unity.” I am pleased that the Government has a strong, long-standing relationship with Aga Khan Foundation Canada. This year marks the 25th anniversary of our collaboration. In Afghanistan, for example, the Foundation is a trusted partner of Canada in the effort to provide development, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to ensure a brighter future for that country. Canada is providing $8 million to the Aga Khan Foundation Canada for its Girls Education Support Program in Afghanistan. The program is helping girls gain access to high-quality learning opportunities in secure and supportive learning environments. It is expected to benefit more than 100,000 girls and 4,600 teachers in close to 350 schools in Bamyan, Baghlan and Badakshan provinces in northern Afghanistan. Canada is also contributing some $7 million to the Foundation’s Afghanistan Community Renewal Program. Our assistance helps to identify, implement and sustain a number of projects that foster rural development and literacy. Together, these initiatives are making a significant difference in the lives of many Afghans. We are also honoured that His Highness is establishing the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa and the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre in Toronto. The Government of Canada is pleased to have a valued partner in the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. As Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), I extend sincere congratulations to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan on the 51st anniversary of his accession as Imam. I encourage all Canadians to join in the Imamat Day celebrations and to learn more about the remarkable contributions of the Aga Khan and the Canadian Ismaili community. |
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President of the Republic of Portugal received His Highness the Aga Khan Posted: 10 Jul 2008 01:13 PM CDT The President of the Republic received in the Palace of Bethlehem, His Highness the Aga Khan, who traveled to Portugal, in a 4-day visit, during his Golden Jubilee. The hearing was followed by lunch. |
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Media Photographs: His Highness the Aga Khan visits Portugal Posted: 10 Jul 2008 11:54 AM CDT |
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Spiritual Leader Aga Khan to visit Portugal to commemorate 50 years of ascent to the Throne Posted: 10 Jul 2008 10:47 AM CDT Source: translated via Google Lisbon 06 Jul (Lusa) - The Prince Karim Aga Khan, spiritual leader of institutional and ismailis million Muslims living in some 25 countries vai be in Portugal from 10 to July 14. The Aga Khan is 49 of the hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismailis Muslims and directs a community of 15 million Muslims, eight thousand of which reside in Portugal. For his followers, Karim Aga Khan, who acceded to the throne of the Ismaili Imamat July 11, 1957, is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, daughter of the Prophet. According to the tradition of Shia Islam, Imam of the mandate encompasses both the spiritual issues and materials. During the year of Jubilee which began in July 2007, Aga Khan made several official visits, in response to calls from heads of state. In visits to countries such as India, United States, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Madagascar and the United Kingdom, the spiritual leader of ismaelitas met with heads of state and government and revisitou the programmes and projects for the development of the network Aga Khan. The visit to Portugal, which takes place from 10 to July 14 and that concide with the celebration of the day (July 11) in which the prince acceded to the throne 50 years ago, is being prepared with the help of more than 700 volunteers are expected over 15 thousand ismaelitas or the Portuguese territory and other countries. The Jubilee celebrations of the Imam, according to the community, offering opportunities for the launch of new development projects in the social, cultural and economic. According to the ethics of faith, these projects aim to improve quality of life of most vulnerable in society with the creation of schools, hospitals and housing projects. In its Silver Jubilee, 25 years ago, the current Aga Khan launched new institutions and projects of social and economic development that have contributed to improving the lives of millions in the developing world. These initiatives are now part of the Aga Khan Network for Development (Aga Khan Development Network - AKDN), a group of institutions whose mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, the micro-finance the promotion of private sector initiative and the revitalization of historic cities - all of them acting as catalysts for development. The Aga Khan Foundation is one of those institutions that make up the network and to commemorate the golden jubilee of a project is under way to establish a school of excellence for children and young people who show high capacity but have financial difficulties. The project, according to the network representative in Portugal for the Aga Khan Development, Commander Ahmad Nazim, is still being negotiated up knowing only that should be in the greater Lisbon area and will have to receive internship scheme for students from around the country . This academy of educational excellence is similar to others already set up the network in the world. The AKDN spent over 320 million dollars annually in activities of social and economic development and operates more than 200 institutions of health care, including nine hospitals and over 300 schools in the developing world. Following the tradition of their ancestors - back one thousand years until the founding of the first universities and institutions of education in the Muslim world - the Aga Khan continues to stress the importance of education. Its recognition of the need for a commitment of the “Society of Knowledge” global led to the creation of Aga Khan University (AKU) in Pakistan, for 25 years - the first private university and independent management in this country. The AKU has become, however, an international university and today operates in nine university complex in the world. The Aga Khan Fund for Culture (Aga Khan Trust for Culture - AKTC) - another institution of the utmost importance of AKDN - has been developing various projects, ranging from the holding of exhibitions of Islamic art for the rehabilitation of buildings, neighborhoods and historical cities, of Hunza in northern Pakistan, to Kabul, Afghanistan, in Cairo, Egypt, Mali, North Africa. |
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Posted: 10 Jul 2008 10:41 AM CDT Source: translated via Google
The Aga Khan vai be from Portugal today at the invitation of the Government of Lisbon. The visit itself extends until 14. The spiritual leader of Muslims ismaelitas has meetings planned with
the community ismaelita and contacts with representatives of the state,
including the President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva. |
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Photographs: His Highness the Aga Khan visits Portugal Posted: 10 Jul 2008 10:37 AM CDT |
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Cavaco Silva receives spiritual leader Aga Khan Posted: 10 Jul 2008 10:36 AM CDT Source: translated via Google The President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva, today received in audience in the Palacio de Belem, Prince Karim Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Muslims and institutional ismailitas, under its five-day visit to Portugal The Portuguese head of state after a hearing offered a lunch in honour of Prince Aga Khan. The visit of the Aga Khan, which runs until next Monday at the invitation of the Portuguese government, he comes in a series of journeys made in various parts of the world to mark the year of its golden jubilee of - the 50 anniversary since it is became the Imam, spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, an ethnically diverse community that resides in about 25 countries. During his stay in Portugal, the Aga Khan hold meetings with President of the Assembly of the Republic, Jaime Gama, with the prime minister, José Sócrates, and with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Luis Amado, and Justice, Alberto Costa. The Aga Khan will be present at an event with congregational members of the Ismaili community and should meet with the High Commissioner of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio. The Aga Khan is 49 of the hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismailis Muslims and directs a community of 15 million Muslims, eight thousand of which reside in Portugal. For his followers, Karim Aga Khan, who acceded to the throne of the Ismaili Imamat July 11, 1957, is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, daughter of the Prophet. Over the past 50 years, the Aga Khan has led the growth of one of the largest private networks worldwide development aid. The Aga Khan network for development (AKDN) is dedicated to a wide range of activities in education, health and rural development, cultural and economic. In 2005 the Portuguese government and the Aga Khan network have signed a protocol of cooperation and in the same year the network has signed a partnership agreement with the Patriarchate of Lisbon for the urban community development for the fight against poverty and social exclusion. Since starting its year of Jubilee, which started in July 2007, Aga Khan made several official visits, in response to calls from heads of state. In 2005 the Portuguese government and the Aga Khan network have signed a protocol of cooperation and in the same year the network has signed a partnership agreement with the Patriarchate of Lisbon for the urban community development for the fight against poverty and social exclusion. The Aga Khan Foundation is one of the institutions that make up the network and to commemorate the golden jubilee of a project is under way to establish a school of excellence for children and young people who show high capacity but have financial difficulties. The project, according to the network representative in Portugal for the Aga Khan Development, Nazim Ahmad, is still being negotiated, knowing it just to be installed in the greater Lisbon area and that work on an internship to receive students from around the country. |
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More than two thousand people received Prince Karim Aga Khan Posted: 10 Jul 2008 10:30 AM CDT Source: translated via Google More than two thousand people received the Prince Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Muslims and institutional ismailis, their arrival at the airport of Figo Maduro, Lisbon, for a four day visit to Portugal at the invitation of the Government. The Aga Khan’s visit to Portugal, which runs until next Monday, he comes in a series of visits to various parts of the world to mark the year of his Golden Jubilee of the 50th anniversary since it became the Imam (leader spiritual) of Muslims Shia Imami Ismailis, a community of 15 million Muslims, eight thousand of which reside in Portugal. The spiritual leader, who for their followers is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet, was received with military honors by the Minister of Justice, Alberto Costa, the spokesman for the PS, Vitalino Canas, and responsible for several of that religious community in Portugal. The hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismailis Muslims afternoon will be received by President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, who will offer a luncheon in his honor in the Palacio de Belem, Lisbon. The Aga Khan also hold meetings with the Prime Minister, José Sócrates, the chairman of the Assembly of the Republic, Jaime Gama, the Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado, as well as the Justice Minister, Alberto Costa. For this afternoon is also scheduled a meeting with the High Commissioner of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and former president of the Republic, Jorge Sampaio. Waiting at the airport spiritual leader of the military were more than two thousand people. |
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Portuguese President welcomes Spiritual Leader of the Ismaili Muslims Posted: 10 Jul 2008 09:16 AM CDT 
Spiritual leader of the Ismaeli Muslims The Aga Khan (L) is welcomed by Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva (R) upon his arrival at Belem presidential Palace in Lisbon on July 10, 2008, on the first of his four-day visit to Portugal. FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images
His Highness the Aga Khan visits Portugal on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee |
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His Highness the Aga Khan visits Portugal on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee Posted: 10 Jul 2008 09:15 AM CDT Lisbon, Portugal, 9 July 2008 - His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Lisbon tomorrow on an official visit at the invitation of the Government. The Aga Khan is visiting the country as part of a series of visits around the world to mark his Golden Jubilee year – the 50th anniversary of his becoming the Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims – an ethnically diverse community whose members reside in more than 25 countries, including Portugal. The Aga Khan will meet with the President of the Portuguese Republic, Professor Cavaco Silva, who will host a lunch in his honour. The Aga Khan will also meet with the President of the National Assembly, Dr. Jaime Gama, the Prime Minister, Engº. José Socrates, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Luís Amado as well as the Minister of Justice, Dr. Alberto Costa. His schedule also includes meetings with the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Dr. Jorge Sampaio – former President of the Portuguese Republic. The Aga Khan will also attend a congregational event with members of the Ismaili community. During the past 50 years, the Aga Khan has overseen the growth of one of the largest private development networks in the world. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is engaged in a wide range of activities in the fields of education, healthcare, rural development, cultural and economic development. These activities undertaken in some of the world’s poorest regions are aimed at the common good for all citizens, regardless of their race, gender or religion. The work of the Aga Khan Development Network is well recognised internationally and is undertaken under the auspice of its nine agencies as well as in partnership with Governments and leading multilateral agencies. In 2005, a protocol of cooperation was signed between the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of the Republic of Portugal. In the same year, the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal and the Patriarchate of Lisbon signed a Partnership Agreement that provides the framework for cooperation in an innovative urban community support programme designed to tackle social exclusion and urban poverty. Agenda for the 10th of July 2008 Source: http://akdn.org/news/2008july9.html - |
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“Conversation on Pluralism in a City of the World” - Chancellor Nancy Cantor Syracuse University Posted: 10 Jul 2008 08:59 AM CDT The spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan, who has been a strong partner with Britain in many projects of global urgency, has also spoken profoundly and eloquently on why pluralism is fundamental to world peace and prosperity for all of us, no matter what our faith community or our home. Nearly a year after the shock and horror of the September 11th attacks, he told an audience in Amsterdam that: “the strengthening of institutions supporting pluralism is as critical for the welfare and progress of human society as are poverty alleviation and confl ict prevention. In fact the three are intimately related.” He then went on to make the critical link to education: “The problem,” he said, “is that large segments of all societies—in the developing and the developed world—are unaware of the wealth of global cultural resources, and therefore of the need to preserve the precious value of pluralism in their own and in other’s societies.” Because we often do not perceive that cultural pluralism is a critical element of well being, he said, we may fail to realize that the world’s cultural heritage is a public good, its preservation just as crucial as sustaining the natural environment. |
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Posted: 10 Jul 2008 08:57 AM CDT excerpt: KARACHI: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Sindh Department of Education and Literacy Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand USAID’s nationwide $90 million ED-LINKS program in Sindh province. Also today, education officials launched two workshops for educators in Karachi and Islamabad as part of the ED-LINKS program. -snip- Earlier in the day, ED-LINKS launched its activities in Sindh with a 10-week leadership and management program for 125 head teachers at Aga Khan University. |
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Hundreds celebrate Imamat Day in Mombasa, Kenya Posted: Hundreds mark Imamat fete Story by PHILIP MUYANGA Hundreds of Ismaili Muslims celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Day at the Mombasa Jubilee Hall Sunday.
The celebrations started with a procession along Moi Avenue before the faithful converged at Jubilee Hall. The honorary secretary of the Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Mombasa, Mr Zaher Bhanji, said that Imamat Day is a worldwide celebration to mark the ascendancy of the Aga Khan as the Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. This year???s celebrations were special because they marked 50 years since the Aga Khan became Imam. Ms Narmin Samji, the president of the Aga Khan Council of Mombasa, said it had been an honour for Kenya to host the golden jubilee games. The games, which were organised in Nairobi from June 23 to 29, brought together Ismaili athletes from different parts of the world. Mr Bhanji said he was optimistic that the games would be repeated during future celebrations. A faithful who did not wish to be named said that Imamat Day was a time to rejoice and celebrate. ???It a great feeling to celebrate the ascendancy of the Aga Khan to Imamat,??? he said. The Aga Khan is the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. He took over the position on July 11, 1957. He has been particularly interested in eliminating global poverty, the advancement of the status of women and rural development. He is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks in the world. The organisation works towards social, economic, and cultural development in Asia and Africa. It also offers health and education services. |
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Posted: http://www.akdn.org/speeches/2008july12_rasul.htm Speech by Firoz Rasul, President, Aga Khan University Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan University and the Catholic University of Portugal (Please also see Related Material) Your Excellency, Minister of Science, Technology of Higher
Education, Good Morning and Welcome, Today marks a historic day as the Aga Khan University or AKU, establishes its first intellectual relationship in Portugal with one of its premier centres of higher learning, the Portuguese Catholic University. The signing of this Agreement in the presence of the Cardinal Patriarch and His Highness the Aga Khan, the Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, is significant as it is but one embodiment of the larger relationship in Portugal between the Catholic Church and the Ismaili Imamat. This collaboration between our Universities is based on a collective commitment to go beyond common boundaries to build bridges between diverse faiths and peoples by connecting different parts of the world together through the universal language of scholarship. The Memorandum of Understanding we sign today is the beginning of what we believe to be a long relationship in which we will learn with and from each other through cooperative academic pursuits. This partnership is an opportunity to address shared concerns, identify common interests and foster greater understanding and to develop capacity to address the issues of global concern such as poverty alleviation, environmental degradation, the building of civil society, democracy, social inclusion and human development. The collaboration between our universities will cover disciplines such as culture, law, religion, ethics, the life sciences, education as well as early childhood development. An initial area of common interest - identify for cooperation - is the comparative study of the impact of religion on the evolution of legal systems as it relates to the law of the land and the bearing on civil society. This specific programme will be led from AKU???s side by our Institute
for the Study of Muslim Civilizations in London, England. The Aga Khan University guided by the vision of our Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan strive to achieve international standards and quality in educational programmes and services. The Universities Programmes are now delivered in 8 countries including Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Syria and Egypt. Our current disciplines include medical education, nursing, teacher education and human development and the study of Muslim Civilisations. Celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, we are now moving to become
a comprehensive University, with new campuses, for Faculties of Arts and
Sciences in both Pakistan and Tanzania as well as for medical and nursing
education in Kenya. Our plans also include graduate professional schools
in law, architecture, management, government and public policy, economic
growth, leisure and the media. The Aga Khan University and the Portuguese Catholic University are building this relationship on our strong value systems and ethical frameworks that underpin our common goal of equitable human advancement. Through this partnership we will collectively project Portugal???s capabilities to contribute to capacity enhancement in countries of the developing world in Africa and Asia. His Highness at a conference on a new economic partnership for the 21st
century said, and I quote: ???The key to building partnerships whether
they are amongst social sectors or amongst countries is a profound spirit
of reciprocal obligation. A readiness to share the work, to share the
costs to share the risks, to share the credit, and in the end, what it
will require the most is a spirit of mutual trust.??? Thank you very much. |
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Memories - Golden Jubilee Year Posted: 11 Jul 2008 10:51 AM CDT
Nimira Dewji of Footprints fame has graciously allowed us to share with you her next publication: Memories — Golden Jubilee Year - July 2007 to July 2008 Vol1. A personal initiative to capture the momentous activities and events of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee Year. This book is available for download and we humbly believe it is a ‘must have’ copy for all to reflect on the historic Golden Jubilee Year, an excellent gift on the auspicious occasion of Imamat Day. PDF download: Memories Golden Jubilee YearPlease notify us if you prefer to receive a copy via email. |
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Aga Khan Academy Mombasa Student Awarded a Top African Scholarship Posted: 11 Jul 2008 10:07 AM CDT BRILLIANT SHELIZA IS OFF TO LONDON
The Bursary - one of only two awarded throughout the whole of Africa is valued in real terms at approximately twenty-five million Kenyan Shillings. It provides full tuition fees and a yearly maintenance allowance for the six-year programme, as well as international air travel to/from the UK and an allowance to permit two members of Sheliza’s family to attend the graduation ceremony in 2014. Sheliza’s ambition is to become a surgeon and practice in Kenya. Just one month ago, the Academy announced that Anoushka Rajan, a 2007 Academy graduate, was awarded a full, four-year Leadership Scholarship to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Peter Mc Murray, Head of the Academy, commented: “We are enormously proud of Sheliza and her outstanding teachers. “This is especially exciting coming so quickly after the good news about Anoushka’s scholarship to the University of British Columbia. “These awards recognize in an important way the talent, hard work and commitment of Academy students and teachers. “To me, it is further proof of the growing acceptance of the International Baccalaureate Programme globally. “These awards validate His Highness the Aga Khan’s vision for the network of Aga Khan Academies to provide talented young people of all backgrounds, an outstanding education in preparation for lives of leadership and service.” Mr. McMurray stated that these stories are just two of many successes - many others have not been publicly recognized. He further added that this is just the beginning. |
Coastweek - - The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, is proud and
delighted to announce that one of this year’s graduates, Sheliza Darvesh,
has been awarded a prestigious University College London African
Educational Trust Undergraduate International Outreach Bursary.        |
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Leader of the Ismailis celebrates half century Posted: 11 Jul 2008 08:02 AM CDT Source, translated via Google Religion: He became spiritual leader on July 11, 1957 Leader of the Ismailis celebrates half century
The institutional and spiritual leader of Muslims Ismailis is in Portugal at the invitation of the Government. The visit of Aga Khan, which runs until Monday, he comes in a series of trips to various parts of the world to mark the year of his Golden Jubilee of the Year. It was the July 11, 1957 that Aga Khan became the 49th hereditary imam of Muslims Ismailis as successor to his grandfather. This community has about 15 million Muslims around the world, eight thousand of which reside in Portugal. The celebrations for the day when the prince became the imam of Ismailis are being prepared with the help of more than 700 volunteers and is expected to receive more than 15 thousand community members living in Portugal and other countries. According to Ismaili community, the Jubilee celebrations of the Imam is an opportunity to launch new projects for development of the social, cultural and economic. For Portugal, is expected to create a school of excellence for children and young people who show high capacity, but with financial difficulties. According to the representative in Portugal of the Aga Khan Network for Development, Nazim Ahmad, the project is still being negotiated, given that will be installed in the greater Lisbon area and that work on an internship, to receive students from around the country . The Aga Khan Network for Development is a group of institutions ranging from health and education to architecture, microfinance or revitalization of cities stories. The network spent more than 200 million euros a year in activities of social and economic development and operates more than 200 institutions of health care around the world. PROFILE Aga Khan, born December 13, 1936 in Switzerland, is 49. Hereditary imam of the Muslim ismaelitas. He spent his childhood in Kenya. Up graduated at Harvard in 1959, in Islamic history. He was married to the begum Salima, who has three children, and a second amorous with the begum Inaara, who has a son, Aly Muhammad. CAVACO OFERECEU LUNCH The President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva, received in Belem Palace of the Prince Karim Aga Khan. The Portuguese head of state offered a lunch in honour of Aga Khan. In the afternoon, the leader of ismaelitas was received by the High Commissioner of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and former President of the Republic, Jorge Sampaio. “The meeting served to see how it sees its alteza in each time the Alliance of Civilizations and that, perhaps, can be expected to do together in the future,” said Jorge Sampaio. The meeting, the former President of the Republic stressed the need to “find concrete things that contribute to improving the situation of each one.” For today, Aga Khan has scheduled several meetings: 11.30 meet with the Justice Minister, Alberto Costa, followed by a hearing with the chairman of the Assembly of the Republic, Jaime Gama. In the afternoon, the leader ismaelita meets with the Foreign Minister Luis Amado, and ends the day with a meeting with José Sócrates, in the Palace of St. Benedict, which will be signed several agreements. |
It was with honors of state that the Prince Aga Khan was
received yesterday at the airport of Figo Maduro, in Lisbon. The Minister
of Justice, Alberto Costa, the spokesman for the PS, Vitalino Canas, and
more responsible Ismaili community members in Portugal have teamed up two
thousand people who received what is to their followers the direct
descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.        |
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UN High Commissioner for the Alliance of Civilizations meets with His Highness the Aga Khan Posted: 11 Jul 2008 08:01 AM CDT Source, translated via Google Alliance of Civilizations Jorge Sampaio meets with Aga Khan
“The meeting served to see how it sees its alteza in each time the Alliance of Civilizations and that, perhaps, can be expected to do together in the future,” explained Jorge Sampaio, currently the UN High Commissioner for the Alliance of Civilizations . To leave the meeting, held at Hotel Ritz in Lisbon, the former President of the Republic underlined that the “vision of Aga Khan and what he represents are very important in the context of the Alliance of Civilizations to the management of pluralism and cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. “ “Currently there is a great challenge and there is a great way for go. To begin with we must find political solutions to political problems,” he said, stressing that “dialogue on cultural diversity can be a before and after” for political solution of processes difficult. Jorge Sampaio stressed the need for “concrete and definitive finding things that contribute to improving the situation of each one, especially in those places and places where there are conflicts on a larger scale.” “When the poverty rife, oil rises, all this shaking. Shaking And also the conflict that can not be resolved by a simplistic way,” explained the current UN High Commissioner for the Alliance of Civilizations. Questionado by Lusa on the trials of Iranian missiles in the Persian Gulf in recent days, Jorge Sampaio refused to make any comment. The Aga Khan’s visit to Portugal, which runs until next Monday at the invitation of the Portuguese government, he comes in a series of trips to various parts of the world to mark the year of its golden jubilee of - the 50 anniversary since it is became Imam, spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, a community of 15 million Muslims, of whom eight thousand are currently living in Portugal. |
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Video: Prince Aga Khan signs protocol with the Portuguese Government Posted:
Video is in Portuguese. Text translated via Google. Source In regions where there is the Aga Khan Network and there is no diplomatic representation Portuguese, the Foreign Ministry to use the facilities and all the logistical support and human resources of the Network. |
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Greetings from the Prime Minister of Canada Posted: Prime Minister of Canada The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. extends Imamat Day greetings to Ismaili Muslim Community.
Communicated via: Alykhan Velshi |
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Posted: Why the world needs more
Canada Charles Enman / The Ottawa Citizen / Saturday, July 12, 2008 A middling power can only smile when a world leader says not only that small is beautiful, but that that particular small country is not only competitive with the rest of the world, but in a leading spot. And the Aga Khan, leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims around the world, says that and more about Canada. “Canada has an experience of governance of which much of the world stands in dire need,” he writes in his latest book, Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World, published here in Canada. Canada, he argues, has done a superlative job in bringing peoples of disparate race, ethnicity and religion together. With people moving easily around the world today, there are more collisions between different groups than ever before. The result is “a world of increasing dissension and conflict, in which different ethnic, tribal, religious or social groups have often failed to search for, and agree upon, a common space for harmonious coexistence.” For decades, the Cold War assumed all the space as the international problem par excellence. With the Cold War now finished, the international community now needs to focus on “the need to create stable states with self-sustainable economies and stable, inclusive forms of governance.” Inclusiveness has always been a necessary starting point for Canada. With three founding peoples — the First Nations, the French and the British — Canada was not going to get out of the starting gates without finding its way to inclusiveness. All nations, but particularly those in the developing world, need several forms of instruction — first, in pluralism, the set of arrangements in which distinct groups find a place and are tolerated within a society, but also in how to build a strong civil society. He quotes former prime minister Paul Martin on the subject: “One of the distinct ways in which Canada can help developing nations is to provide the expertise and experience of Canadians in justice, in federalism, in pluralistic democracy.” Most of the world’s current problems, the Aga Khan believes, stem from the absence of pluralism and his cautionary list includes such trouble spots as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Canadians who know all about the problems that Canada deals with might wonder if the Aga Khan is a bit naive about this country. But he says explicitly that his “intention is not to embarrass you with too rosy a picture of the Canadian mosaic, as if it were free of all tension. But you have the experience, an infrastructure grounded in wisdom and the moral wherewithal to be able to handle challenges to your social and political fabric.” The Ismailis, the second largest segment of the Shia Muslims, have appreciated Canadian tolerance for several decades. Back in the 1980s, Canada accepted many Ismailis after their expulsion in the 1970s from Uganda by Idi Amin. The Aga Khan became a friend of Pierre Trudeau’s and has been made an honorary Companion of the Order of Canada. The Aga Khan is establishing several important institutions in Canada, two of them here on Sussex Avenue. In the old war museum, he is setting up the Global Centre for Pluralism, an initiative that will study how emerging nations can set up successful societies. The centre should open doors in 2010 or 2011. Further down on Sussex, he is building the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, which should open toward the end of this year. The Delegation will hold both the offices of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the world headquarters of the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of development agencies that work to improve developing societies around the world. In Toronto, the Aga Khan is building the Aga Khan Museum, which will hold one of the largest collections of Muslim art outside the Muslim world. The doors should open in 2010 or 2011. The Aga Khan assumed his hereditary title as leader of the Nizari Ismailis in 1957 at the age of 20, following his grandfather’s death. The Nizaris may number as many as 20 million around the world, of a total number of Ismailis which may reach 30 million. The Aga Khan often refers to the lack of understanding that exists between the western world, on one hand, and the Muslim nations and the Muslim diaspora in the West, on the other. The much vaunted “Clash of Civilizations” that some see between the Muslim and the Western world would more properly be called a “Clash of Ignorance,” he says. The West knew next to nothing about Shia Islam before the 1979 revolution in Iran, he points out. Nor did the West know anything of Wahhabi Islam before the ongoing war in Afghanistan. “Please remember that we are talking about a religion that one-fifth of the world’s population follows,” he writes. “This ignorance is equivalent to Muslims being unaware of the distinction between Catholics and Protestants within Christianity.” Some in the Muslim world, he acknowledges, have mistrusted modern education, but he adds that “Those with an educated and enlightened approach are of the firm, sincere conviction that their societies can benefit from modernity while remaining true to tradition.” The Aga Khan believes one of the great threats to Western values is the incidence of failed democracies in the Muslim world, in Latin America, in Eastern Europe and in sub-Saharan Africa. This is partly due to the fact that democracy, which developed over centuries in the older democracies, cannot be implanted overnight in countries of totalitarian tradition. He estimates that 40 per cent of UN member states are failed democracies — a problem that will not improve until they develop a greater commitment to pluralism, to meritocracy and to civil society. In other words, learn the lessons that Canada has had to master from its very beginning. The Aga Khan knows his work will never end, because humans are not natural pluralists. The value of pluralism must be inculcated anew in each generation. But its rewards ?? peace, material progress, and social unity ?? are worth the ongoing effort. “Building and sustaining a pluralist society is always going to be a work in progress. It doesn’t have a finite end.” Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World, by His Highness the Aga Khan and published by Douglas & McIntyre, is in stores now. |
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Aga Khan University and Catholic University of Portugal Sign Agreement of Academic Collaboration Posted: Jointly Sighned by Aga Khan University and Catholic University of Portugal Please also see Related Material AKDN - 12 July 2008 - Lisbon, Portugal - Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), today signed an agreement of academic collaboration as part of their efforts to foster international understanding and scholarly cooperation between diverse cultures and faiths. Areas of collaboration between the two universities will include culture, law, religion, ethics, health sciences, education and human development through joint research, training initiatives, and exchange programmes for faculty and students. Professor Manuel Braga da Cruz, Rector of the UCP and Firoz Rasul, President AKU, signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon. 
His Highness the Aga Khan meets with Professor Jose Mariano Gago, Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP). Also present are Professor Manuel Braga da Cruz, Rector of the UCP, Firoz Rasul, President of AKU and His Eminence D. Jos?? Policarpo the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon and Chancellor of the University. The historic signing ceremony was attended by His Eminence D. Jose Policarpo, the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon and Chancellor of the University, D. Jos?? Policarpo, and His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Ismaili Muslims and Chancellor of the AKU. Rector da Cruz and President Rasul noted that the partnership between the two Universities conveyed a collective commitment to go beyond common boundaries, to build bridges between diverse faiths and peoples by connecting different parts of the world together through the universal language of scholarship. The partnership is an opportunity to address shared concerns, identify common interests and foster greater understanding on issues of global concern. Aga Khan University???s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, based in London, will lead the collaboration, working with the Faculties of Law and Theology, and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Catholic University of Portugal. Initial projects will include comparative study of the impact of religion on the evolution of legal systems as it relates to the law of the land and its bearing on civil society; cultural studies; health sciences education and training; joint research, training and consultation on bioethics; and discussion on human development frameworks. Collaboration will include exchange programmes, research initiatives, and the organisation of symposia, lectures series, conferences, short courses and continuing education programmes. 
Professor Manuel Braga da Cruz and Firoz Rasul exchange agreements after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Aga Khan University and the Catholic University of Portugal. Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University is an institution of the Aga Khan Development Network. AKU is a private, autonomous university recognised for its research, teaching and service at an international standard in medicine, nursing, teacher education, medical care and community service. The university has campuses and programmes in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, including Faculties of Health Sciences with a Nursing School, Medical College and teaching hospitals in Karachi and Nairobi, Institutes for Educational Development in Karachi and Dar es salaam, an Examination Board and an Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. AKU is a non-denominational institution open to all, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender, national origin or financial standing. The Portuguese Catholic University is a public educational institution, established by the Congregation of Catholic Education, under the Concordat between Portugal and the Apostolic See, and recognised by the Portuguese State in 1971. It currently has approximately 11.000 students attending all three cycles of study (University degree, Masters??? degree and PhD) in all of its 4 major centres, located in Lisbon, Braga, Oporto and Viseu. It is also attended, on an annual basis, by over 2.000 professionals seeking its well reputed programmes for executives. The scientific areas developed by the University cover a variety of themes ranging from Theology to Art, Philosophy, Human Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Educational Sciences, Biotechnology, Entrepreneurial Sciences, and Law. Integrated within UCP units, there are 22 study centres, Cabinets and Institutes which are essentially dedicated towards pure and applied investigation. As from 1998, the University has its own publisher, named UCEditora. |
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Portugal: His Highness the Aga Khan held meetings with various government officials Posted: AKDN - 11 July 2008 - On the second day of his visit to Portugal, His Highness the Aga Khan held meetings with various government officials, including the Minister of Justice, Alberto Costa, as well as the President of the Assembly of the Republic Jaime Gama. Later that day, the Aga Khan held a meeting with Foreign Minister, Luis Amado and then met with Prime Minister Jose Socrates at the Prime Minister???s Palace. Here, the Aga Khan and the Foreign Minister signed an Agreement of International Cooperation between the Ismaili Imamat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic. Photo Credit: Gary Otte / AKDN |
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Aga Khan and Foreign Ministry sign agreement on international cooperation Posted: Source1, Source2, Source3, Source4, translated via Google
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Ismaili Imamat sign today an agreement for international cooperation within the framework of the visit to Portugal of institutional and spiritual leader of Muslims Ismailis, Karim Aga Khan. The cooperation, through the Aga Khan Network for Development, may occur in states and regions of Asia and Africa considered to be of interest to the Portuguese government and where that network is deployed. In addition to regular consultations on matters related to the sites concerned, the agreement to be signed today after a meeting with the prime minister, Jos?? S??crates, stipulates that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Portuguese diplomatic services can benefit from the resources of the Network countries there is a wave diplomatic or consular representation Portuguese. Over the past 50 years, the Aga Khan has led the growth of one of the largest private networks worldwide development aid, giving up the Network for the Aga Khan Development (AKDN) to a large number of activities in education, health and rural development, cultural and economic. In 2005 the Portuguese government and the Aga Khan Network signed a protocol of cooperation and in the same year the Network has signed a partnership agreement with the Patriarchate of Lisbon for the urban community development for the fight against poverty and social exclusion. The Aga Khan ends Monday for a five day visit to Portugal at the invitation of the Portuguese government, which fits into a series of journeys made in various parts of the world to mark the year of its golden jubilee of - the 50 anniversary since it is became the Imam, spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, an ethnically diverse community that resides in about 25 countries. Karim Aga Khan was with the President of the Republic, An??bal Cavaco Silva, and with the chairman of the Assembly of the Republic, Jaime Gama, and with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Luis Amado, and Justice, Alberto Costa. It was also attended by the High Commissioner of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio. |
The Aga Khan is 49 of the hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismailis Muslims and directs a community of 15 million Muslims, eight thousand of which reside in Portugal. For his followers, Karim Aga Khan, who acceded to the throne of the Ismaili Imamat July 11, 1957, is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, daughter of the Prophet. |
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Week-in-Review - Sunday, July 13, 2008 Posted: This week is a news filled one at Ismailimail, as we cover various stories, celebrate Imamat Day, and share lots of news and pictures from His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to Lisbon, Portugal.
We begin first with His Highness the Aga Khan’s seven day visit to the United Kingdom as it draws to a close this week, and we have news and pictures from the banquet dinner hosted by the Queen at the Buckingham Palace in honour of The Aga Khan. The Aga Khan’s family was also invited to the dinner. This week, in our Ismailis in the News, we visited with Alberta Minister of Education. Raheem Jaffer, MP and national caucus chair for the federal conservative, who was the Guest of Honour at the National I-STAR Gala in Calgary. Don Cayo, an adjudicator for the first national ISTAR awards, was very impressed by the high achievements of the winners, whom he felt represented the best of Muslim World. Congratulations to the I-STAR award winners, Aaria Rahim, Shakir Rahim, Aarman Rahim, Aliza Vellani, Ashraf Amlani, Rafiq Charania, Rafik Baloo, Rafiq Salehmohamed, Aquil Virani, Aalia Chatur and Safiya Dhanani. Sheliza Darvesh, a graduate of the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa has been awarded a prestigious University College London African Educational Trust Undergraduate International Outreach Bursary. Don’t miss Memories - Golden Jubilee Year - July 2007 to July 2008, vol 1, a personal initiative by Nimira Dewji, to capture the momentous activities and events of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee Year.
In Central Asia, we have various institutional
news from Kryzgistan and
Tajikistan and USAID’s
ED-LINKS program launched its activities in Sindh with a 10-week
leadership and management program for 125 head teachers at Aga Khan
University in Karachi, Pakistan.
In an excerpt from the “Conversation on Pluralism in the City of the World“, Chancellor Nancy Cantor, Syracuse University, talks about the Aga Khan, who has been a strong partner with Britain in many projects of global urgency, and has also spoken profoundly and eloquently on why pluralism is fundamental to world peace and prosperity for all of us, no matter what our faith community or our home. His Highness the Aga Khan explains Why the world needs more Canada in his book, “Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World”
On April 9, all attention shifts to Lisbon, Portugal,
in anticipation of His Highness the Aga Khan’s official
visit at the invitation of the Government. More than 2000 people
received The Aga Khan on his arrival
at the Figo Maduro airport in Lisbon. The President of the Republic, Cavaco
Silva, receives Prince Karim Aga Khan at the Palacio de Belem, and
hosts a luncheon in his honor. Lots of media photographs
of His Higness the Aga Khan’s arrival and meeting with President Cavaco
Silva and various government
officials. The UN High Commissioner for the Alliance
of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio meets with His Highness the Aga Khan
to discuss the importance of the Alliance of Civilizations, and The Aga
Khan and Foreign Ministry sign an Agreement
on International Cooperation. On July 11, 2008, the worldwide Ismaili Muslim Community celebrates Imamat Day, the 51st anniversary of His Highness the Aga Khan’s succession to the Ismaili Imamat.
From Canada, the Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper extends Imamat Day greetings to Ismaili Muslim Community and Honourable Jason Kenney, Canadian Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Identity) joins the Ismaili Muslim Community in congratulating His Highness the Aga Khan on the 51st anniversary of his accession as Imam. Meanwhile newspapers publish news about Ismaili Muslims celebrating Imamat Day in Pakistan and Mombasa, Kenya. At our Spirit and Life Blog this week, we reflected on excerpts from His Highness the Aga Khan’s speeches about Building a bridge of hope, The Uniting Ethos of Abrahamic Tradition , Bridges - Symbols of Connection, Cooperation and Harmony, and Great moments in the history of Muslim Civilizations. We read Mawlana Hazar Imam’s response to the question ” What is your dream for the world in the Golden Jubilee year?” from the interview with Peter Mansbridge. And we concluded the week with a beautiful poem, The Day of All Days - Imamat Day Poem by Khayal Ali. That is all from this week, hope you will be looking forward to more exciting and interesting news and stories next week. Click here for last week’s review. |
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Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: Don’t portray Muslims as victims. We’ve moved on Posted: Subtle shifts are taking place, and supposed enemies are now friends Monday, 14 July 2008 excerpt…
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Celebration at the Base Camps of the K2 Mountain Posted:
Saturday was party time in all Karakoram BCs; the porters celebrated Aga Khan???s birthday [Imamat Day] by dancing and singing around bonfires. |
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Revised Aga Khan Development Network website Posted:
http://www.akdn.org/default.asp In addition to the redesign, new navigation menus should make it easier to access related information. These include a Quick Links menu on the right and more comprehensive menus on the bottom. New information has been added in a number of areas, particularly relating to activities in countries where AKDN is present. |
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Canada A Step Away From Holocaust Task Force Posted: Embassy, July 9th, 2008 / NEWS STORY While largely symbolic, the move will allow Canada to share the way its different jurisdictions teach students about the Holocaust, and take away lessons learned from the task force’s 25 other member countries. –snip– Alykhan Velshi, a spokesman for Mr. Kenney, said the Conservatives took steps to join the task force almost immediately after becoming the government. “It’s important, first of all, to ensure the Holocaust is properly taught and commemorated within Canada, but also it is an opportunity for Canada to share its best practices with other countries,” Mr. Velshi said. “What it also does is it commits the government of Canada to build on its own record.” As part of this commitment, the Canadian government has already undertaken plans to officially commemorate the “St. Louis incident,” when, in the summer of 1939 just before the Second World War broke out, a passenger liner carrying more than 900 Jewish refugees was turned away from Halifax’s Pier 21. An estimated one-third aboard would lose their lives in the Holocaust. Mr. Velshi said funding for the commemoration of the St. Louis incident will come out of the Historical Recognition Program, a multi-million dollar program created by the Conservatives in early 2006. –snip– |
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Various Health News from Aga Khan University and Health Services Posted:
———- 9 July 2008 / Pakistan Press International Information Services Karachi, July 09 (PPI): An estimated 100,000 people in Karachi suffer from epilepsy. However, a survey conducted in urban areas has found that only a quarter of these seek medical advice, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, Consultant Neurologist, Aga Khan University (AKU) said. She was speaking at the Epilepsy Day seminar held at AKU to raise public awareness. A huge stigma surrounds this disease in Pakistan. Women and children suffer most due to the embarrassment and misconceptions associated with epilepsy, she elaborated. Epilepsy is a largely misunderstood neurological dysfunction that causes electrical discharges in the form of symptomatic seizures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it affects 50 million people globally at any time. The Epilepsy Foundation adds that 10 per cent of all adults will have a seizure at some point in their lives; however the disease is usually labelled by two or more seizures. A large portion of Epilepsy Day at AKU was devoted to the treatment options for epilepsy as the WHO estimates that up to 70 per cent of people who receive treatment respond successfully to it. Dr Mughis Sheerani, Consultant Neurologist, AKU, highlighted the epilepsy programme offered at the University Hospital. This programme offers comprehensive treatment of epilepsy including evaluation of those patients for epilepsy surgery who have failed medical treatment options. In addition to a high-tech and modern Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, the staff analyses and helps manage seizures using a Video EEG service. Video EEG at AKU is one of the first and rare services of its kind offered in Pakistan, also used to coordinate epilepsy surgery. Dr Mughis Sheerani told the audience that the first epilepsy surgery at AKUH through this programme, was successfully performed this week. Dr Nizam Ahmed, Consultant Neurologist, University of Alberta, Canada, emphasised that there are several treatment options available for epilepsy and up to 70 per cent can be easily controlled given proper diagnosis and treatment. Those patients that are not controlled well with medications have other options like surgery. To elaborate on the subject, Dr Syed Athar Enam added specifics on the oTreatment of Epilepsy through Surgery. This procedure involves surgical removal of areas of the brain that cause frequent seizures. It has been an ulterior form of treatment for half a century when prescribed drugs have failed, and is now in greater use due to improved technology. Dr Abdul Wahab Yousafzai, Consultant Psychiatrist, AKU discussed the
psychological impact of epilepsy on patients and families. Living with
this neurological disorder causes difficulty in adjusting at work or at
home, so it is important to consider the personal impact it can have on a
patient and promote an environment where people affected by epilepsy can
lead healthy and happy lives. Following the lectures, the speakers
alongwith panelists Dr Bhojo Khealani, Consultant Neurologist, AKU and Dr
Warren W. Boling, visiting Neurosurgeon from West Virginia University,
answered questions from the audience and closed on a hopeful note that
people had increased awareness of the risks and treatments of
epilepsy. Pituitary Cancer; Research on pituitary cancer described by scientists at Aga Khan University, Department of Neurosurgery 7 July 2008 / Clinical Oncology Week 2008 JUL 7 - (NewsRx.com) — Investigators publish new data in the report ‘Pituitary adenomas: presentations and outcomes in a South Asian country.’ “The purpose of this retrospective review of all operated cases of pituitary adenomas in the last decade, is to define the demographic patterns and characteristics of such tumors and to assess surgical outcomes with regards to safety and efficacy of trans-sphenoidal tumor removal in our institution. Surgically treated pituitary adenomas presenting from 1995 till 2005 were reviewed for different variables,” investigators in Karachi, Pakistan report. “Results were expressed as mean, standard deviation and median for continuous and number with percentage for categorical data. Chi square test was applied to measure differences and significance was taken atp value or=55 years, size of abscess >or=5 cm, involvement of both lobes of the liver and duration of symptoms >or=7 d. Hospital stay in the aspiration group was relatively longer than in the non aspiration group. Twelve patients died in the aspiration group and this mortality was not statistically significant when compared to the non aspiration group,” wrote R. Khan and colleagues, Aga Khan University, Department of Medicine. The researchers concluded: “Patients with advanced age, abscess size >5 cm, both lobes of the liver involvement and duration of symptoms >7 d were likely to undergo aspiration of the liver abscess, regardless of etiology.” Khan and colleagues published their study in World Journal of Gastroenterology (Predictive factors for early aspiration in liver abscess. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008;14(13):2089-93). For additional information, contact R. Khan, The Aga Khan University, Dept. of Medicine, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. The publisher’s contact information for the World Journal of Gastroenterology is: W J G Press, PO Box 2345, Beijing 100023, People’s Republic of China. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com. ===== Hepatitis C Virus; Reports from Aga Khan University advance knowledge in hepatitis C virus 30 June 2008 / Hepatitis Weekly 2008 JUN 30 - (NewsRx.com) — According to a study from Karachi, Pakistan, “To identify risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among pregnant women seeking antenatal care in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. We enrolled 119 cases and 238 controls.” “Cases were enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA III) positive pregnant women for antibodies to HCV; controls were anti-HCV ELISA negative pregnant women. The mean age of study subjects was 26 years (SD 5) ranging from 15 to 50 years. The mean number of pregnancies for cases was 4 (SD 3) and for controls was 3 (SD 2). Among cases an average number of injections in any month was 40%, history of hospitalization was 61% and household contact with jaundice or hepatitis was 35%. In the final multivariable logistic regression model, five or more gestations (aOR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.08-3.33), >= 1 injection (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.38-3.91) per month, hospitalization (aOR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.01-2.99) and household contact with jaundice/hepatitis (aOR = 3.32; 95% CI = 1.89-5.83) were independently associated with HCV,” wrote U.R. Khan and colleagues, Aga Khan University. The researchers concluded: “Iatrogenic exposure (health care injections, hospitalizations and gestations) is the major risk factor for transmission of HCV among pregnant women.” Khan and colleagues published the results of their research in Tropical Medicine & International Health (Case-control study of risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in hospitals of Karachi-Pakistan. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2008;13(6):754-761). For additional information, contact U.R. Khan, Aga Khan University, Dept. of Emergency Medical, 3500 Stadium Rd., Karachi 74800, Pakistan. The publisher of the journal Tropical Medicine & International Health can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England. This article was prepared by Hepatitis Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Hepatitis Weekly via NewsRx.com. ===== Life Sciences; Researchers at Aga Khan University have published new data on life sciences in children 27 June 2008 / Drug Week 2008 JUN 27 - (NewsRx.com) — Scientists discuss in ‘Micronutrient needs of malnourished children’ new findings in life sciences. “In addition to overt manifestations of undernutrition such as stunting, wasting and underweight, micronutrient deficiencies are also recognized as important components of the spectrum of malnutrition. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies during childhood from a review of the literature over the last 18 months (August 2006-January 2008),” investigators in Karachi, Pakistan report. “There is considerable advance in our understanding of the epidemiology and burden of childhood undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Based on recent surveys, an estimated 32% (178 million) of children under 5 years of age were stunted. The corresponding global estimate of wasting is 10% (55 million children), of which 3.5% (19 million children) are severely wasted. It is estimated that nearly 11% of all children under 5 years of age, die due to four micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A, zinc, iron and iodine). There is evidence from recent reviews of evidence-based interventions that administering single or multiple micronutrients can make a significant difference to health outcomes. However, delivery strategies may differ and recent data suggest that fortification may be a more efficient strategy to deliver multiple micronutrients,” wrote Z.A Bhutta and colleagues, Aga Khan University. The researchers concluded: “These findings support the scaling up of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat such deficiencies and to integrate these within health systems.” Bhutta and colleagues published their study in Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care (Micronutrient needs of malnourished children. Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 2008;11(3):309-14). For additional information, contact Z.A. Bhutta, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. The publisher of the journal Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA. This article was prepared by Drug Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Drug Week via NewsRx.com. ===== Life Sciences; Findings from Glasgow Caledonian University in life sciences reported 25 June 2008 / Biotech Week 2008 JUN 25 - (NewsRx.com) — “This paper describes a Nursing Development Programme in Tajikistan where four organizations worked together to develop some innovative changes in nursing practice and education. Within the context of Health Care Reform the Government of Tajikistan provided a climate for Nursing Development,” scientists in Scotland report. “The joint efforts of the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, and the Aga Khan Health Service in Tajikistan, have led to major changes in education and practice. The project focused on the development of new standards for practice in Gorno Badakhshan and a new Family Health Nurse curriculum for all students entering nursing programmes. A Nursing Centre was opened to provide leadership in education and practice and a co-ordinating Council was established to develop professional standards. The project has demonstrated that nurses in Tajikistan have embraced the developments in both education and practice with the aim of improving the care they give to their communities and the support they provide for the teams within which they work. The project also illustrates how different organizations can work effectively together,” wrote B. Parfitt and colleagues, Glasgow Caledonian University. The researchers concluded: “Key principles identified from this project for effective collaborative working include: communication, common goals, shared expertise, pooled funding and close alignment with Government strategies for Health Reform.” Parfitt and colleagues published their study in International Nursing Review (Working together; a nursing development project in Tajikistan. International Nursing Review, 2008;55(2):205-211). For additional information, contact B. Parfitt, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Rd., Glasgow G4 0BA, Lanark, Scotland. The publisher’s contact information for the journal International Nursing Review is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com. ===== Health: Over 400,000 suffer from strokes in Pakistan annually 24 June 2008 / Pakistan Press International Information Services Karachi, June 24 (PPI): More than 400,000 people suffer from a stroke every year in Pakistan. A third of the victims do not survive and about half become dependent on others, Dr Muhammad Wasay, Consultant Neurologist, Aga Khan University (AKU) informed the audience at AKUs awareness programme on Tuesday. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and second leading cause of death around the world. It is unfortunate though that most people in Pakistan are not aware that strokes can be prevented and treated, said Dr Wasay. More than half of all strokes can be checked by controlling high blood pressure. In addition, about 80 to 90 percent can be checked by monitoring cholesterol and sugar levels, stopping smoking and exercising regularly - the cost of prevention is lower than the cost of recovery. Stroke units in hospitals have revolutionized stroke treatment, so patients should be transferred to a hospital as soon as possible, in less than three hours if possible. The longer a stroke patient waits to report to a hospital, the more damage a stroke can do and the more difficult rehabilitation. Public awareness and motivation can lead to ultimately reducing stroke rates and improving recovery. Dr Gohar Javed, Consultant Neurologist, AKU, shared his expertise on the neural infirmity of lower back pain. Lower back pain is a common problem, yet it is difficult to pinpoint its exact cause in many patients even after several tests and procedures. Fortunately, most cases of back pain do not last more than a few weeks, but it is advisable to consult a physician if the pain persists longer. The Neurology Section at the AKU Hospital offers various services for stroke patients and lower back pain. The Section has the largest certified faculty of neurologists in Pakistan. |
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Posted: Interesting blog post from George’s VSO adventures. Visit Flickr page as well for photos from Hunza –snip– There were two major festivals that she told me about ??? Tahum and Cheneer, and both were based around the agricultural cycle. Tahum celebrated the beginning of spring. People cleaned their house and made traditional food, which was shared within the village, particularly among the elders. They went to the Jammat Khana early in the morning to pray. The Jammat Khana is the Ismaili mosque and centre of village life. –snip– Everyone in this village is Ismaili, and Ayesha is clearly proud to be an Ismaili. Women are able to go to the Jammat Khana to pray, and in the village they often go daily. Inside the Jammat Khana people pray and learn from the Imams, but it also a place where community affairs can be discussed. Ismailism is very tolerant; the Aga Khan is really respected and he interprets the Qu???ran and provides guidance on how to live as an Ismaili. Key messages that Ayesha told me are to respect your culture, make bridges with other communities, respect diversity and pluralism, fasting is not only a matter of not eating, but your whole life should be fasting from sin and evil. The main thing is to respect human beings ??? first of all, people are human. |
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Peaceful Afghan Province Plans for Tourism Posted: From Jacob Baynham’s blog: Our Shared World Bamiyan, AFGHANISTAN ??? Call him forward thinking, but Sanjeev Gupta thinks it???s about time war-torn Afghanistan had a tourism industry. Gupta, a regional program manager for a non-governmental organization called the Aga Khan Foundation, says that while some parts of Afghanistan remain too volatile to visit, Bamiyan, the province in which he works, is blessed with relative peace ??? and an abundance of cultural, historical and natural treasures capable of luring travelers from all around the world. ???Bamiyan has a lot of tourist potential,??? Gupta said. ???We need to correct the perception of Afghanistan. The whole country is not dangerous.??? To promote the industry, the Aga Khan Foundation has created the Bamiyan Ecotourism Project ??? a three-year program that will develop a tourism infrastructure, train guides, cooks and hoteliers, and raise awareness of the region???s attractions. Complete at the source: Jacob Baynham’s blog: Our Shared World |
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Afghanistan Herat Conservation Posted: 
Jewish temple renovated in Herat. A general view of a Jewish temple, which was renovated by the Herat cultural department in collaboration with Aga Khan Trust, in the old part of Herat city north east of Kabul, Afghanistan, 10 July 2008. The conservation of historical places is part of a wider rehabilitation project implemented by the Historical Cities Support Programme of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme (HCP) promotes the conservation and re-use of buildings and public spaces in historic cities in the Muslim World. EPA/JALIL REZAYEE
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Aga Khan Football Gold Cup may see revival in Bangladesh Posted: Thu, Jul 10th, 2008 11:11 pm BdST Dhaka, July 10 (bdnews24.com) ??? The Aga Khan Foundation Thursday asked the Bangladesh Football Federation to submit a five-year projection report on reviving the Aga Khan Gold Cup in Bangladesh. “They are positive about reviving the Aga Khan Gold Cup in Bangladesh and want a five-year projection on what value the tournament will hold in future,” said BFF vice president Kazi Nabil Ahmed, after a meeting with the representatives of the Shia Imami Islamic Council, an organisation of the Aga Khan Foundation. “We told them that all things depend on the domestic football and the Gold Cup will get more attention in future if the local football game goes in the right direction,” Ahmed told reporters at the BFF House.
During Prince Aga Khan’s visit to Bangladesh in May, BFF president Kazi Salahuddin requested Khan to revive the Aga Khan Gold Cup in Bangladesh, which hosted the meet 17 times in the past. The last Aga Khan Gold Cup was held in 1982. The three-member delegation, headed by Hossain Hyder Ali, also asked the federation to revise their estimated budget exceeding taka four crore, modifying different segments such as publicity cost, hotel tariffs, air fare etc. “We will submit the revised budget in a week,” Ahmed said, “We are hoping to strike an agreement within three months and to hold the Cup either in January or in February 2009 after the completion of the second edition B. League.” The BFF vice president said they had a plan to hold the tournament with 10 to 12 teams, including a few foreign clubs from Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nepal and India etc. |
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Samiah, South Asian Ismaili Houstonian, needs your help Posted: You can register to become a donor to SAVE A LIFE!
When you join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry as a committed donor, you unite with other potential donors who know the importance of being there for a patient in need of a life-saving transplant of marrow or blood stem cells. It???s easy to join the NMDP Registry! You must be between the ages of 18-60, meet certain health guidelines, fill out a form, give a cheek cell swab and be willing to donate to any patient in need. (Quite often, those who have been deferred from donating blood due to travel restrictions or low iron are still eligible to join the Marrow Registry.) Throughout the USA, only 7 million donors have registered, and there is a pressing need for more donors from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly within the South Asian communities. Because a matching donor is most likely to be found within a person???s racial or ethnic community, increasing the number of South Asian donors will help more patients receive a second chance at life. Register at: Help spread the word via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31500818208 If you live in Houston then join the following Marrow Drive to save Samiah’s life: Shifa Clinic |
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Ismaili Muslim Stampede Floats Posted: A pictorial history of Ismaili Muslim Stampede Floats in Calgary.
Click above for slide show or here to browse photos. Video
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UCalgary article: Ismaili Stampede Breakfast & partnership with Ismaili Communiy Posted: The Faculty Goes Stampeding!
The Faculty of Nursing was honoured at the 12th annual Ismaili Muslim Community???s Stampede breakfast on Saturday July 5 for its partnership in the annual Women and Wellness Conference. The conference celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007 with a new logo and a new format and so was recognized by the Muslim Community with a float in this year???s Stampede Parade. The float, which featured the purple pinwheel form of a woman embracing physical and mental health, spiritual well-being and self-development, won Best Cultural Entry. |
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His Highness the Aga Khan at the launch of Louvre Museum’s future Islamic Art department Posted: 
Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Bin Abdul aziz Al Saud, front left, and French president Nicolas Sarkozy, front right, places a map of the Louvre museum's future Islamic art department inside its first stone on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in Paris, during a ceremony marking the launch of the works. In the background, from left to right, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's wife, Princess Ameera, Spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims the Aga Khan and French Culture minister Christine Albanel. AP Photo/ Ecric Feferberg, Pool
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National Plan of Reading: Aga Khan Development signs protocol with Portuguese government Posted: Source, translated via Google The Aga Khan Development Network, with the government today signed a memorandum of Portuguese support for the National Plan of Reading which lasts for three years. Lisbon, July 14 (Lusa) - The Aga Khan Network for the development, which adds seven agencies for development, with the government today signed a memorandum of Portuguese support for the National Plan of Reading which lasts for three years. According to the protocol, the Aga Khan Network will support 300 schools of teaching children and pre-school through the purchase for their libraries of books valued at 150 thousand euros. This protocol is valid under the same terms for 2009 and 2010. Source of the Aga Khan Foundation, one of seven agencies that integrates the Network, told the Lusa that their support have no religious character and are intended merely to support early childhood, which has been one of the concerns of Prince Aga Khan, celebrating this year its jubilee of gold. The same source stressed the Lusa that the work has been done in the neighborhoods of Lisbon and Ameixoeira Alta Mira in Lisbon and Sintra under the programme of community development “K’cidade.” In signing the protocol was attended by ministers of Parliamentary Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, Culture, Jose Antonio Pinto Ribeiro, the Secretary of State for Education, Jorge Pedreira, a representative of the Aga Khan network, Nazim Ahmad, and also the coordinator of the Plan National Reading, Isabel Al??ada. |
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Blooming in Cairo - The $30-million park project was spearheaded by the Aga Khan Posted: 17 Jul 2008 11:50 AM CDT
Click above for photographs. Also check the video here. Written by John Feeney Photographed by Dana Smillie What strange power do plants, trees and splashing water exert upon us? Have you ever noticed how, from the moment you enter a garden, and for as long as you wish to stay, you are no longer quite the same person? In the presence of trees and flowers, a sense of peace embraces you. Yet strangely, while giving refreshment to body and spirit, the trees and flowers around you are completely silent. Is this a subconscious remembrance of “a paradise lost”? –snip– The $30-million park project was spearheaded by the Aga Khan, whose family ties to Cairo date back to its founding by the Fatimids in 969. A thousand years later, in November 1984, as part of his interest in inviting local residents to contribute to the modernization of the Muslim world, the Aga Khan called a conference entitled “The Expanding Metropolis: Coping with the Urban Growth of Cairo” to address the city’s rapid population growth, the decline in the quality of its housing and associated problems. When the meeting concluded, the Aga Khan decided to give a park to the city as a substantive contribution. He had a vision of providing Cairo with a large, open public area with trees, flowers and running water, in the manner of a traditional Islamic garden, “which would enhance the life of local communities” and also serve as a case study for a variety of modern urban development challenges. A park, he thought, would be an ideal gift, if only enough space could be found in this teeming city of 17 million souls where, according to one report, the amount of green space per resident was only about 350 square centimeters—the area of a man’s footprint. –snip– This article appeared on pages 12-17 of the July/August 2008 print edition of Saudi Aramco World. |
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Aid money should go to agencies doing the real work Posted: 17 Jul 2008 11:48 AM CDT Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun / Published: Thursday, July 17, 2008 The current foreign aid fad is to channel most money through recipient governments rather than the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that actually deliver most services in most poor countries. This wins the donors (Canada among them) high praise from the heads of those lucky governments who get the cheques. They like this policy a lot. But the people the money’s supposed to help? No so much. –snip– ….a key cause of mass poverty is bad governance — incompetent, corrupt, sometimes even vicious. In other words, far fewer places would be poor if their governments could be trusted. So who wants to prop up their leaders with money for them to siphon off from its intended uses? –snip– Tom Kessinger, deputy chair of the Aga Khan Development Network, says his agency hasn’t yet been seriously affected by this trend. The AKDN, which is substantially funded by the personal wealth of the Aga Kahn as well as his Ismaili Muslim followers around the world, still also gets support from many donor governments, including Canada. But Kessinger worries that the trend will inevitably take money away from agencies that have a solid track record for results. When it comes to results, NGOs are often better positioned than governments, and not only because they don’t feel obligated to deal through recipient governments even when they’re incompetent or corrupt. In my view, the AKDN, as just one example, deals far more effectively with the need to focus sharply and for the long term than does CIDA, the aid arm of the Canadian government. The first thing AKDN has done is to commit to development aid rather than — except in the direst emergency — mere stopgap relief, Kessinger told me. The second is to stay in for the long haul — a crucial strategy if improvements are ever to take root and grow strong enough to stand on their own. Third, it focuses on a relative handful of countries in just a few parts of the world. Granted, this is a more obvious choice for AKDN than for a donor government. While the Ismaili agency doesn’t limit its aid to Muslims, it does confine itself to countries where Ismailis have cultural connections and sound knowledge of the social and political landscape. |
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Aga Khan Academies: Expanding Access to Quality Education Posted: 17 Jul 2008 11:48 AM CDT Excerpt… Each Academy will incorporate a Professional Development Centre for teachers that focuses on professional development for teachers and curricular innovation at all affiliated institutions. Each Centre will function not only for the benefit of the Academy but extend modern teaching and learning methods to government and private schools locally and regionally. These efforts are underpinned by the International Academic Partnership, which brings together the worldwide resources of the Aga Khan Education Services, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, USA, Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) in Karachi, Pakistan, and the Schule Schloss Salem, in Salem, Germany. Since its founding in 1993, the IAP has linked over 400 schools in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States. |
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Dr. Shafique Virani’s ‘Ismailis in the Middle Ages’ Posted: 18 Jul 2008 11:49 AM CDT We have previously featured Dr. Shafique Virani’s much acclaimed book ‘The Ismailis in the Middle Ages’. Below is the website address of the author and the book. |
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Posted: 18 Jul 2008 11:48 AM CDT 17 Jul 2008 THE Aga Khan, Imam of the Shia Ismaili Moslems, has visited Portugal at the formal invitation of the government. The Aga Khan’s five-day visit to the country, which ended last Tuesday, was part of a series of visits around the world to mark his Golden Jubilee year, the 50th anniversary of his becoming the imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Moslems, an ethnically diverse community whose members reside in more than 25 countries, including Portugal. During his visit, the Aga Khan held meetings with President Cavaco Silva, as well as with the president of the parliament and the prime minister. His schedule also included meetings with the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, the former president Jorge Sampaio. All
related posts at Ismailimail |
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Ali to Karim - Schedule of Performances Posted: 18 Jul 2008 11:36 AM CDT
A Tribute to the Ismaili Imams recounts the story of our 49 Imams in seven episodes. It traces the unbroken thread of Imamat through the tapestry of Muslim civilizations woven over 1400 years of history. Staged in the wondrous world of books, it entices the audience into a realm where past and present mingle and come to life. Developed in London , the cast of ALI TO KARIM includes an ensemble of established performers from the United Kingdom , supported by a group of talented Jamati actors from the United States . Information on featured performers will be posted soon. During the summer of 2008, this production will be hosted in 7
cities across the United States July 19th - 2:00 PM, Redondo Performing Arts Center, Los Angeles. |
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AN ISLAMIC CONSCIENCE: the Aga Khan and the Ismailis film is now available in ten languages Posted: 18 Jul 2008 11:23 AM CDT
The film has been sub-titled for Arabic, Gujarati, French, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Russian Cyrillic, Spanish, German, and English. The new version of the DVD is now available for purchasing from the website: http://agakhanfilm.org/buy_now.asp |
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IIS Scholar Participates in the 7th Building Bridges Seminar Posted: 18 Jul 2008 09:40 AM CDT
The annual series of Building Bridges Seminars was established to bring together a range of internationally-recognised Christian and Muslim scholars to discuss the two religions through the study of selected texts. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, convened this year’s event, which took place at Villa Palazzola, an old Cistercian monastery south of Rome. The seminar was organised in partnership with Georgetown University. |
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Pakistan: Federal Minister appreciated the efforts of Aga Khan Development Network Posted: 19 Jul 2008 01:27 PM CDT Naveed opens hydro-power project in Hunza valley GILGIT, July 19 (APP): The federal minister for Finance, Privatization and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar, here on Saturday, inaugurated a micro hydro-power unit in remote valley of Ahmed Abad, Hunza to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people. The power project of 350 KV was completed at a cost of Rs.12.3 million. The small hydro unit was joint venture of the local community and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Funds (PPAF). Addressing on the occasion, the minister lauded the role of the local people who had completed number of projects in this remote region, on self-help basis. The minister assured government’s full support for the development of remote areas. He appreciated the efforts of Aga Khan Development Network and said that the organization was serving the humanity not only in the country but also throughout the world. |
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Posted: 19 Jul 2008 01:11 PM CDT Prince Karim Aga Khan arrives in Karachi for his enthronement ceremony on 23 January 1958 escorted by President Iskander Mirza and Mrs Naheed Mirza
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Interfaith youth movement - Eboo Patel’s “Acts of Faith” Posted: 19 Jul 2008 08:48 AM CDT Saturday, July 19 / Mark E. Rondeau / BenningtonBanner.com, One of the most exciting books about religion I have read in a long time is Eboo Patel’s “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation,” published by Beacon Press (189 pages). Patel, who is in his early 30s, holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University and also regularly contributes to the On Faith blog at WashingtonPost.com. He is the founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, based in Chicago. This is an international non-profit building the interfaith youth movement. “Acts of Faith” deals in part with Patel’s search for identity as the child of immigrants from India and as a Muslim. It was not an easy journey. Growing up in a suburb of Chicago, he encountered racial prejudice and violence in school. On the positive side, America’s diversity also brought him Jewish, Catholic and Mormon friends. Patel was brought up in his family’s Ismaili faith, a form of Shia Islam which follows an Imam called the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan holds much the same importance for Ismailis as the Dalai Lama does for Tibetan Buddhists or the pope for Roman Catholics. The current Aga Khan, Karim Al-Husseini, has devoted himself to good works in the name of Islam. Open to the West and progressive, he has built innovative health, educational, cultural and anti-poverty institutions in 30 countries. |
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Journalist pens book on Ismaili Canadians - Calgary Herald Posted: 19 Jul 2008 08:45 AM CDT Graeme Morton, Calgary Herald / Published: Saturday, July 19, 2008 Ismaili Muslims have been urged to give generously of their time and talents during this celebratory Golden Jubilee year for their spiritual leader, the Aga Khan. For Calgarian Mansoor Ladha, a career journalist, that has translated into writing a book he hopes will shed light on the history, culture, spirituality and success stories of Canadian Ismailis. “Religion plays a pivotal role in our lives,” said Ladha, 65. “Volunteerism, duty and a sense of service to your community and your faith are stressed from a very young age.” Ladha’s book, A Portrait in Pluralism, chronicles the development of
the Ismaili community in Canada, which expanded rapidly in the 1970s as
thousands fled the persecution of the Idi Amin regime in Uganda. |
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