Fatimid Heritage Foundation

Fatimid Heritage Foundation Extends Eid Milad Nabi and Navroz Greetings to Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph and the Ummah

2008-03-21T11:17:00.004+05:00

On the twin occasion of auspicious Eid Milad Nabi and Navroz, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program extends hearty devoted greetings to His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, and the Ummah.

www.ismaili.us

Asian Development Bank and Aga Khan Development Network Strengthen Partnership

2008-01-31T11:07:00.000+05:00

His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), today 30th January 2008 met with Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for discussions on joint collaboration between the ADB and AKDN. The meeting preceded the signing of an agreement aimed at expanding the partnership between the two institutions.

“A strengthened partnership between ADB and the Aga Khan Development Network provides an effective channel for supporting inclusive development in the region, especially for the benefit of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society,” said Mr. Kuroda.

The Aga Khan’s younger brother, Prince Amyn Aga Khan, who signed the agreement on the Aga Khan’s behalf, thanked the ADB for its long-standing cooperation and lauded the Bank’s efforts to adopt a new long-term strategy this year in the face of growing challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Prince Amyn Aga Khan expressed confidence that the agreement will enable an intensification of the collaboration between the two institutions, thereby helping to transform the lives of many.

He added that the agreement is “an expression of our shared commitment to ensure that marginalized and impoverished areas of South and Central Asia receive the attention and support needed to alleviate poverty and to create stability in cross border areas, by connecting isolated communities, developing markets, incomes, and employment, and fostering an enabling environment.”

The joint ADB/AKDN agreement stresses the need “to find ways to undertake investments to connect the poor to the opportunities of growth and to connect services to the poor emanating from national and regional growth benefits.”

The ADB and the AKDN collaborate across multiple sectors in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, and Pakistan. The agreement signed today reinforces the need for cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, economic development, and human capacity building. It expresses the joint commitment of both institutions to local and regional ownership of development policies and programmes, long-term approaches to sustainable development, and investments which connect the poor to growth opportunities. Amongst the new areas for potential partnership are investments in higher education, including with the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia.

Notes:

ADB, a major development institution in the Asia and Pacific region, seeks to foster economic growth, good governance, human resource development, and the reduction of poverty for the benefit of its developing member countries.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for social development is in excess of US$300million.

For more information please contact:

Jason Rush
Media Relations
Asian Development Bank
Tel: (632) 632-4444
www.adb.org
Aly Nazerali
European Representative and CEO
AKDN
3 Cromwell Gardens
London SW7 2HB
Tel: +442075916800
E-mail: aly.nazerali@akdn.org

www.ismaili.us

People of Pakistan Endorse Confidence In The Leadeship of President Musharraf

2008-01-01T14:57:00.000+05:00

And as Pakistan is going through anxious moments, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program have endorsed full confidence in the leadership of Excellency President Musharraf. We believe President Musharraf has been historically delivering his best, both for Pakistan and world community so to speak about civil society and democracy, women emancipation and good governance, theological and political consensus, freedom of expression and media support, independence of judiciary, indigenous rule of people and global peace.

www.ismaili.us

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program have endorsed Hillary for President

2007-12-19T15:50:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program have endorsed Hillary. We believe Hillary Rodham Clinton can create history for both America and our common humanity, so to speak about civil society and democracy, women emancipation and good governance, development and global peace.

It's one thing to have good intentions, another thing altogether to change the reality of people's lives. Hillary has been changing people's lives for as long as I've known her. She did it in Arkansas when she made major improvements to our schools. She did it in the aftermath of September 11, when she helped first responders get the medical care they needed. She's done it in the U.S. Senate, where she has worked to make sure we fulfill our promises to our troops, veterans, and their families.

She has never let setbacks stop her. When our health care reforms didn't pass in the 90's, she rolled up her sleeves and got right back to work on the Children's Health Insurance Program, which insures six million kids in America today.That's Hillary, the best combination of heart and mind, of leadership ability and feel for the problems of other people I've ever known.

Hillary is also our best candidate for one reason: because she would make the best president. She's got great plans for universal health care, good jobs, access to college, ending the war in Iraq, and restoring America's position in the world; and she's been tested in the kind of campaign they always run.

Now Hillary needs your help as 2007 comes to a close. Hillary needs her supporters to make it over the top. Will you make a contribution for Hillary today? Make a contribution and help Hillary today. You know, even if I weren't an American I would still be enthusiastically supporting her. Her experience, her compassion, her philanthropy, and her great ideas for the future make her the right candidate. It's time for a new beginning, led by someone who has spent her life making a difference for others. America is ready to change.If you want to know the kind of changes she'll make for you, you only have to look at what she's already accomplished for the humanity and America for 35 years. Let's help Hillary show her strength at this critical moment, please help put our campaign over the top. Contribute today to help Hillary show her strength. Thank you so much for all you do to help Hillary, so she can do what she does best: get to work and help America and our common humanity. The Hillary I Know.

Anwar Ali Merchant

For and on behalf of
Fatimid Heritage Foundation
Geneva Peace Development Centre
Mountain Girls Education Development Program

http://www.ismaili.us/

Happy Birth Day To His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph 13 December 2007

2007-12-10T17:59:00.000+05:00

The Ummah, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre, Mountain Girls Education Development Program and http://www.ismaili.us/ extend most affectionate greetings to wish His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, many happy returns of the day on occasion of his auspicious Birth Day on 13 December 2007.

His Highness Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam Caliph is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan.

Posted by Fatimid Heritage Foundation at 5:30 PM 0 comments

Labels: Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, Happy Birth Day to Aga Khan

Aga Khan: Our International Personality of The Year << Apollo Magazine

2007-12-01T15:25:00.000+05:00

The Internatinal Magazine for Collections, Apollo has declared Aga Khan as The Imternational Personality of The Year.
Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, is the 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan.

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10:59 Posted in Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Central Asia , Community , Culture , East and South-East Asia , Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union , Economy , Environment , Freedom of expression , Ismaili.US , Latin America , Maghreb , Media , Middle East , North America , South Asia , Sport , Sub-Saharan Africa , Western Europe | Permalink | Comments (0) | Tags: Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, Central Asia, World Peace, Pakistan, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Middle East

Fatimid Heritage Foundation Extends Greetings to CHOGM 2007

2007-11-23T01:10:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation extends hearty felicitations for the success of CHOGM 2007. THE FATIMID sincerely appeals to HM Queen Elizabeth II to prevail upon the meeting to appreciate positive contribution, the Government and the people of Pakistan have been making for the cause of stability in the region and global peace, and the process of transition to democracy initiated successfuly by Excellency President General Musharraf.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID. Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area. MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation Invites to Join Development Gateway co-sponsored Global Dialogue on Mobile Government

2007-11-22T14:02:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation invites to join for a Development Gateway co-sponsored Global Dialogue on Mobile Government: The New Frontier in Transforming Public Services. The event will take place 08.30 - 11:00 am ET on November 29, 2007 in Washington D. C. and in Delhi; you can also join via live webcast and online discussion forum, or via videoconference from one of several other participating cities. The event is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Development Gateway Foundation, e-GovWorld, e-Gov Monitor, and IIS-Russia.

Mobile services are quickly emerging as the new frontier for transforming government towards citizen-centricity and one-stop multi-channel delivery. They extend the benefits of remote delivery of government services and information to those who are unable or unwilling to access public services through the Internet or simply prefer to use mobile devices. In theory, many government services can now be made available on a 24x7x365 basis in any place covered by mobile networks, which today means almost everywhere.

According to an estimate by R. Chandrashekar, Additional Secretary (e-Gov), Government of India, (keynote speaker at this seminar), up to 50-60% of government services in India can be delivered via mobile channels. This emerging trend in public service delivery has often been called "Mobile Government" (M-Government) and is part of a broader phenomenon of mobile-enabled development (m-development), which leverages the mobile revolution to enable development impact. The organizers hope to address the following questions at the Global Dialogue on Mobile Government:+ According to the ITU, the total number of mobile users worldwide as of late 2006 was about 2.7 billion and the number of internet users was just above 1.1 billion. Does this provide a strong case for leveraging mobile channels to dramatically improve access to public services to those who can afford to use a personal or shared mobile phone (e.g. as in Village Phone programs)? Does this create an opportunity to connect in the near future the next two billion people to the benefits of e-government, e-health, e-education, e-banking and e-commerce?+ How exactly can Mobile Government transform the lives of common people in developing and transition countries? What are the best examples of such impact? + What are the types of services that can be easily provided on mobile phones/devices ("quick wins") and what are the more strategic high-impact services ("killer applications")?+ What are the key constraints to making this vision a reality? What are the critical success factors and lessons learned?+ Should government agencies and the development community take this opportunity to drastically improve access to information and services? How should governments and donors change the way they do business to take full advantage of mobile technologies?+ What is the role of the private sector? Are there successful business models (e.g. PPP) for private sector companies to support value-added m-government services?

This Global Dialogue seminar is organized as an integral part of the eGovWorld 2007 Conference taking place in New Delhi on Nov. 29-30, 2007 (www.egovworld.org) and will connect a large and high profile audience in India with experts and e-government champions in other countries for sharing ideas on how to take public services transformation to the next level with the help of mobile technologies.

More information about this event is available at http://go.worldbank.org/RLCVF90NBO

JOIN LIVE WEBCAST:The Webcast links are at: http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment/live(registration is not required but is recommended). If you would like to send in advance questions for speakers, or if you have any questions on how to access the webcast and e-discussion, please email mailto:edevelopment@worldbank.org

JOIN DISCUSSION FORUM:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation strongly encourages you to post your views on the discussion forum created for this event to promote the good image of your respective counties, at:http://topics.developmentgateway.org/egovernment/discussion/default/showDiscussion.do~id=5303?intcmp=916
P.S. Feel free to forward this invitation to all who may be interested!

Fatimid Heritage Foundation extend hearty greetings to Honorable Federal Minister Dr. Shams Lakha . . . .

2007-11-16T21:00:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation in a message today extended heartiest greetings and congratulations to all the newly appointed Honorable Federal Misters, sworn in at the Presidency, oath of office administered by His Excellency President Musharraf : Hon. Shehzada Alam Mannun, Hon. Saleem Abbas Jeelani, Hon. Salman Taseer, Hon. Abdullah Reyar, Hon. Senator Nisar Memon, Hon. Barrister Shahida Jameel, Hon. Inamullah Khan, Hon. Ansar Burney, Hon. Abbas Sarfaraz, Hon. Syed Afzal Haider, Hon. Salman Shah, Hon. Barrister Habib ur Rehman, Hon. Ehsanullah Khan, Hon. Lala Nisar Khan Muhamamd Khan, Hon. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Hon. Dr. Shams Lakha, Hon. Syed Wajid H.Bukhari, Hon. Dr Faheem Ansari, Hon. Prince Esa Khan, Hon. Hamid Nawaz, Hon. Nisar Ghuman, Hon. Raja Tarey Dev Roy, Hon. Khwaja Attaullah Tunsavey and Hon. Sikandar Jogazai with prayers for their success and happiness for the fulfillment of responsibilty.
Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID. Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area. MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.

Aga Khan at The Conference on Central Asia and Europe: A New Economic Partnership for Twenty First Century

2007-11-14T11:11:00.000+05:00

Let me, first, acknowledge and thank for their kind words those who have spoken before me this morning -- the Foreign Minister, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Dr. Marek Belka -- as well as Benita Ferrero Waldner, the EC Commissioner for External Relations.

It has always been special pleasure to return to Berlin -- a city that continues to be synonymous with the word “cosmopolitan”. Berlin is truly a global connecting point -- a fact which has been instrumental in our decision to open an office of the Aga Khan Development Network here.

How appropriate that we should be discussing, in this historic crossroads city, one of the great, inter-cultural projects of our time -- the effort to build a partnership between Central Asia and Europe. I commend the German Government for its leading role in this effort, and the European Union for carrying it forward -- with its endorsement of a “Regional Strategy” for Central Asia a few months ago. Others have also played welcome contributing roles, including The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

As I offer my own comments today, I will draw on the experience of our Aga Khan Development Network in Central Asia. We have come to know much of this region well, particularly Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; not only has it long been home to significant numbers of Ismaili Muslims, but we have also developed a widening range of programs across the region over the past fifteen years.

Full Speech

ArchNET Digital Library Urban Histories

2007-11-13T15:03:00.000+05:00

The ArchNet team is happy to announce the addition of a new set of urban histories to the Digital Library, as part of their ongoing work to extend and improve the Library's resources. Focusing on urban development and architecture, spatial histories of Isfahan, Baghdad, Medina, Jerusalem, New Delhi, Bam, Kabul, and Mumbai are already online; soon to come are the histories of Alexandria, Khartoum, and Tunis. Each history is accessible via the links above and ArchNet via "search" and choosing "Digital Library: Place Name."

ArchNET: The Global Community of Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph

President Musharraf Declares "Free Fair and Crystal Clear Election 2008''

2007-11-12T04:59:00.000+05:00

The world community rejoiced and congratulated His Excellency President General Musharraf as he declared free, fair and crystal clear election to be held in first week of January 2008. The national and provincial assemblies, on completion of their tenure, will stand dissolved on 15 and 20 November respectively, and the Election Commission would be requested to hold the election.
“I would request the Election Commission to hold election as soon as possible,” the President told reporters during a high level press conference at the Presidency in Islamabad. The President said a decision has been taken in consonance with the Chief Ministers of all four provinces to hold the election simultaneously the same day.
He said the National Assembly would dissolve on November 15, while the Provincial Assemblies by November 20 so that the election could be held in the next 45 to 60 days, as required according to the Constitution.
“I leave it to the Election Commission to decide the exact date.”
“This is a historic moment of joy and satisfaction as the Assemblies have completed its full five year tenure for the first time in the history of our country,” he said, and added “it is the way that the things should have moved in the past and should move in the future.’’
President Musharraf said he would take the oath of office as the civilian President of Pakistan soon after notification of results of the presidential election, where he got a thumping 57 per cent votes from the Parliament and four provincial assemblies.
He said arrested politicians would be freed but that emergency was needed to complete the holding of free and fair election.
“I would expect that all of them get released and participate in the elections, and do electioneering as per the rules given by the Election Commission of Pakistan.”
“But in case they disturb law and order, and cause to create anarchy in Pakistan in the name of elections, or in the garb of democracy, then the nation will not allow that,” the President added.
He said a plan had been made to strengthen the second line of Defense of Pakistan with addition of 15,000 police, 128 platoons of Frontier Corps, 7,000 Levies and 12 wings of Rangers.
The President said he is always for a free but responsibly competent media that works for the integrity of Pakistan and morale of its countrymen, to make democracy function progressively. “I am for independence of media and stand by it,” he added.
President Musharraf called upon the legal fraternity to understand the security threat to Pakistan and contribute their best for its integrity and safety.

Year 2007 is the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.

Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.
Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.
Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.
MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.
The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway. Join DG communities here.

Middle East Quartet backs upcoming 'substantive and serious' peace conference in Washington

2007-11-11T15:47:00.000+05:00

Principals discussed the meeting and agreed that it should be substantive and serious, providing support to the parties in their bilateral discussions and negotiations in order to move forward urgently on a successful path to a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza that will unite all Palestinians.

Middle East Diplomatic Quartet statement, 23 September 2007 :

The Quartet Principals - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, High Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado, and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner - met in New York to discuss the situation in the Middle East. They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair.
The Quartet recognized the present opportunity for progress and the robust regional and international desire for peace in the Middle East. The Quartet expressed its strong support for the ongoing bilateral talks between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas and welcomed the formation of Israeli and Palestinian teams to discuss the core issues that are essential to progress towards their shared goal of a negotiated two-state solution and establishment of a viable Palestinian state living side-by-side with a secure Israel. The Quartet welcomed parallel steps taken by the parties to build confidence and improve conditions on the ground. The Quartet underscored the need for immediate additional steps to meet previous commitments, including those under the Roadmap and the Agreement on Movement and Access, so as to create a positive atmosphere conducive to progress towards a two-state solution.
The Quartet expressed support for the international meeting on Israeli-Palestinian peace called for by President Bush in his July 16 statement. Principals discussed the meeting and agreed that it should be substantive and serious, providing support to the parties in their bilateral discussions and negotiations in order to move forward urgently on a successful path to a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza that will unite all Palestinians. The goal of this meeting is to bring together key members of the international community in support of efforts between the Israelis and Palestinians to end their conflict and help bring a final peace in the Middle East. The Quartet expects the meeting to affirm its support for the two-state solution based on a rejection of violence and its support for progress by the parties in their bilateral discussions. The meeting should also review progress that has been made toward building Palestinian institutions and discuss innovative and effective ways to support further Palestinian reform. The Quartet will work for a successful international meeting and for the implementation of its conclusions.
Quartet Representative Tony Blair briefed the Quartet on his meetings and discussions in the region, and discussed the way forward on the development of a functioning Palestinian economy, and the institutions of governance that will form the foundation of a Palestinian state. The Quartet agreed that Mr. Blair should work closely with the Palestinian Authority government in developing a multi-year agenda for institutional and economic development, and looked forward to strong technical and financial support from the international community in support of these efforts, beginning with the September 24 Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting. In that context, the Quartet called upon all countries that are able to contribute to urgently provide financial support to the Palestinian Authority. The Quartet endorsed an extension of the Temporary International Mechanism until December 31, 2007, and expressed its hope that during this period a mechanism would be established to facilitate the transition to direct international assistance to this Palestinian Authority government.
The Quartet expressed concern over conditions in Gaza. It agreed on the importance of continued emergency and humanitarian assistance without obstruction. The Quartet called for the continued provision of essential services. It expressed its urgent concern over the continued closure of major crossing points given the impact on the Palestinian economy and daily life. The Quartet further noted its grave concern over the continued rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, and recent efforts by Hamas to stifle freedom of speech and the press.
The Quartet discussed its forthcoming meeting with members of the Arab League follow up committee to consult on next steps on the Arab Peace Initiative and regional support for bilateral talks between the parties.
The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on UNSCRs 242 and 338.

Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.
Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.
Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.
MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.Join the dgCommunities here.

UN Declares 15 September as International Day of Democracy

2007-11-10T23:43:00.000+05:00

Stressing the continuing need to promote democratization, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the General Assembly today agreed to observe 15 September each year as the International Day of Democracy.

In adopting by consensus a resolution on the issue, the 192-member body reaffirmed that “while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or region.”

In addition, the Assembly reaffirmed that democracy is “a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.”

The Assembly also invited all Member States, organizations of the UN system, regional and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals to commemorate the Day “in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.”

On this occasion, the Assembly recognized that 2008 marked the twentieth anniversary of the first International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, which offers a special opportunity to focus attention on the promotion and consolidation of democracy at all levels.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.

MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.

The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.
Join the dgCommunities here.

The FATIMID extends Diwali and New Year Greetings to the Government and People of India

2007-11-09T22:41:00.000+05:00

On the auspicious occasion of the Indian Festiwal of Dipawali,Fatimid Heritage Foundation joined the Government of Pakistan and its people to wish Indian brothers and sisters A Happy Diwali and Prosperous New Year, with prayers for their good health,long life, and spiritual and worldly welbeing in the years ahead.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.

MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.

The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.
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Pakistan Islamic Republic - the complimentary website from Fatimid Heritage Foundation

2007-11-09T19:06:00.000+05:00

Pakistan Islamic Republic (www.pakistan.rsfblog.org)is the complimentary website co-founded by Anwar Merchant,Nazlin Anwar,Aziz and Shirin. Pakistan supports United Nations,enhances knowledge,development,interfaith harmony,peace and global pluralism.

Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.

MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.

The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.
Join the dgCommunities here.

Emergency to Protect Democratic Values and Global Peace

2007-11-04T19:33:00.000+05:00

Amidst his own dislike, struck with grief, pain and sorrow, the Chief of Army Staff President General Musharraf on Saturday declared state of emergency in Pakistan, promulgating the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), and holding the Constitution in abeyance. This, he had to do, there being no other option to save the people of Pakistan from being dismembered.

Army Chief had to take this step to check worsening of law and order, and intensification of violence to an unprecedented level in Pakistan. The gravity of situation presented gravest threat to the life, property and repute of the people of Pakistan. Everything of this great nation was at stake: safety and security, human resources; gender equity; food, water and energy supplies; conciliation for democracy; unity and consensus; good governance; infrastructure; economy; health and education; peace and stability; independence and sovereignty; the very existence of Pakistan.

Pakistan is the second largest contributor of UN peacekeeping troops. It is dynamically involved in the activities of the United Nations, ensuring peace during conflicts and the post conflict situation in various countries. Pakistan has taken a lead role in piloting reforms at the country level, establishing one window UN operations.

Pakistan as the Chairman of G-77 group played pivotal role in ensuring that the UN activities reflect the aspirations and wishes of the developing countries.

Pakistan achieved record fastest growth of 7 per cent in the FY 2006-7. During his recent visit to Pakistan, Robert Zoellick, the World Bank President expressed his happiness with economic progress in Pakistan, and stressed the the need for consistency in reforms to help Pakistan compete world market.

Pakistan has also done remarkably for the implementation of the decisions of the UN reforms meeting of the high-level panel, co-chaired by Prime Minister Aziz, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, and Luisa Dias Diogo, the Prime Minister of Mozambique.

In an extraordinary move, which many termed as supra-constitutional, the Army Chief promulgated emergency and thus foiled the conspiracy of some to dismember the nation of Pakistan.

President Musharraf, one of the most popular statesman globally, also referred to the “working of some members of the judiciary at cross purposes with the executive and the legislature, and thereby jeopardizing his government’s campaign for peace in the region, adversely affecting the economic growth of the country in particular; “overstepping” of some judges of their limits of judicial authority, making the Supreme Judicial Council entirely irrelevant, and “humiliating treatment” meted to government officials by some members of the judiciary on a perpetual basis. Though emergency, the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies, and the judiciary shall continue to function as before.

“No judgment, decree, writ, order or process whatsoever shall be made or issued by any court or tribunal against the president or the prime minister or any authority designated by the president,” said Section 3(2) of the PCO issued here in the supreme interest of the country and its people. The PCO Section 1(3) says: “Subject to clause (1) above and the Oath of Office (Judges) Order, 2007, all courts in existence immediately before the commencement of this Order shall continue to function and to exercise their respective powers and jurisdiction, provided that the Supreme Court or a High Court or any other court shall not have the power to make any order against the president or the prime minister or any person exercising powers or jurisdiction under their authority”.

According to the proclamation of emergency “gravity of the situation and the threat to security of Pakistan has been reviewed at meetings with the prime minister, the governors of the four provinces, and with the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, chiefs of the armed forces, the vice chief of army staff and the corps commanders”.

In Pakistan the life is normal, people have heaved a sigh of relief, and the nation in unison is resolutely with President General Musharraf in his campaign for peace, conciliation and consensus inside Pakistan and in the region.

The global community needs to look at the happenings in Pakistan with a sense of brotherhood, understanding and cooperation; and not that of a burden of dislike, as the nation is passing through a transition period of progress towards democracy.

Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan.

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.

MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.

Join the dgCommunities here.

The Development Gateway - Fatimid Heritage Foundation Partnership to Usher New Era of Knowledge Peace Development

2007-11-02T23:18:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FATIMID) today joined the invitation from Dr. Anuradha Bhattacharjee, Content Coordinator and Editor of dgCommunities, to be the Coordinating Organization with The Development Gateway Foundation.
Development Gateway Foundation provides Web-based tools to make aid and development efforts more effective. It offers innovative solutions that increase access to critical information, building local capacity and bringing partners together for positive change.
www.developmentgateway.org/ is a web portal introduced by the World Bank to use internet resources for connecting people, facilitating collaborations and networking, and to help development worldwide. The portal addresses multiple issues through knowledge gateways and each is subscribed to by thousands of members. The issue-based gateways are called dgCommunities.

Dr. Bhattacharjee is a specialist in Gender and Income Generation, Micro Finance, HIV/ Aids, Youth. Her work experience covers projects with the Government of India (National Aids Control Organization); State Governments; USAID; UNICEF; ActionAid; Janani and others – in the areas of Communication Strategy Development; IEC Campaigns; Communication Needs Assessment; Project Evaluation; Documentation; Work Palace Management of HIV/AIDS; et al.

Anwar Merchant also accepted the invitation to be the Advisor for dgCommunities. Anwar shall contribute to the DG Coordinator and Editor on knowledge and resource management adding value to the subject/topic/development issue with highlight articles and resources.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation and Development Gateway partnership shall facilitate exchange of logos, links, information, resources and news on reciprocal basis with due credit lines and a link to the CO.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan.

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.

MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.

ArchNET:
Global Community of Aga Khan, the Fatimid Imam Caliph

Join the dgCommunities here.

2007-11-02T15:44:00.000+05:00

Sultan Muhammad Shah 1302-1376 (1885-1957) the Aga Khan III, Savior of Humankind, Champion of Jew Christian, Buddhist, Hindu Sikh Muslim Unity, Founder of Pakistan, 48th Fatimid Imam caliph, direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam Caliph Ameerul Mu’mineen (Master of the Faithful), and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter, was born on Friday, 25th Shawwa'l, 1294 ME 2nd November, 1877 CE at Mount of Muhammad in Karachi Pakistan.

Sultan Muhammad Shah, like the present Aga Khan, was the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
He became the Ima'm Caliph on Monday, 6th Zu’l-Qa’dah, 1302 ME 17th August, 1885 CE at the age of seven.
Aga Khan III was the man of many visions and in his long life played diverse roles in numerous public fields. He was the hereditary Imam Caliph of the Ismaili Muslims, Founder President of All India Muslim League (1906-1912), Founder-President of the All India Muslim Conference, patron of the London Muslim League, head of the 1906 Muslim Deputation to the Viceroy of India, President of the All India Mohammedan Educational Conference, He was a member of the imperial legislative council from 1902 to 1904 and member of Privy Council (1934). In 1903 he became the president of the reception committee of the All-India Muslim Education Conference and presided over its Delhi session in 1904. Aga Khan, as the leader of the Muslim delegation in a meeting with the Viceroy Lord Rippon in 1906 at Simla, suggested for a separate electorate for Muslims. In 1911 he raised a donation of three million rupees for the Aligarh Muslim University.
One of the founders and Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, Head of the British Indian Delegation to the Round Table Conference (1930-33), he was Indian Delegate to the Disarmament Conference, Chief Indian Delegate to the League of Nations and later its President (1937).
The nature and strength of his compassion for humanity formed foundation of his passion for social reform: his dislike for violence and war, his disapproval of racism, his faith in democracy, his tendency towards movement for independence, his efforts for world peace, his obsession with education, his interest in emancipation of women, his appreciation of poetry, his emphasis on culture, and his interpretation of Islam.
He complimented the British for their initiative to eradicate the practice of ‘sati’. Uniquely, he related the human living to the purpose of divinity. “With this acceptance of divinity in mankind, there is the acceptance of brotherhood The whole economic, social and religious fabric calls for immediate relief - uplift of the weak - economically, intellectually and culturally, so that there may be left no one to be called downtrodden.” He asked Muslims to attend to the needs of the ‘untouchables’ of India, elevate their social status and make their life happy. Similarly, in South and East Africa he asked Asian settlers to be kind and friendly to local population and help in their needs.

The achievement that gave him immense joy and satisfaction was the creation of Aligarh Muslim University. As manifest Imam (Imam I Mubin), he considered acquiring and sharing of knowledge and education a religious duty. He recalled the Prophet’s saying which exhorted the Muslims to travel as far as China in search of knowledge. He referred to the injunction of Qur’an to study nature and comprehend God’s motive in creating the Universe.
He was particularly happy to see Muslim countries allow women go to mosques for prayers alongside their spouse, brothers, and children to seek help and guidance from God for steadfastness in their daily lives (in Cairo, there are special mosques, like the Muhammad Ali Mosque, where galleries are reserved for women. In North Africa, in the Paris mosque and the London mosque at Woking, in Iran and in Turkey, and the present day Pakistan women have their own special enclosure for prayers).
The Aga Khan refused to identify humankind without proper attribution to gender equity. In his view, the general well-being of every community depends on the emancipation of its women. No artificial barriers should obstruct their betterment. No prejudices, however narrow should deprive them of their natural rights and proper social status. Again and again he stressed the commanding importance of educating the girls. He went to the extent of declaring that “Personally, if I had two children and one was a boy and the other a girl, and if I could afford to educate only one, I would have no hesitation in giving the higher education to the girl.”
The Aga Khan opposed racism. He also warned the Asian settlers both in South and East Africa of potential danger, and appealed them to help African tribes with land economy, health and education. Asians and Africans must not hate or fear each other. He said: “White, black and brown are complementary members of a common body politic.”
The concern for humanity strengthened his resolve to work for world peace and to avert wars. He strongly believed that maintenance of world peace was the only guarantee for a secured happiness and survival of mankind. He worked hard for eliminating racial bigotry. In India he pleaded for Hindu-Muslim unity and proposed formulae of equal political representation at the federal level for a peaceful co-existence of the two peoples. In the West he encouraged Christian-Islamic understanding and a genuine respect for all faiths. In the world of Islam he was an enthusiastic spokesman of a pan-Islamic and Shi’i-Sunni unity.
He championed the cause of world peace at the ‘Disarmament Conference’ of 1932 and in League of Nations in the following years. On the material side, he pointed to the great benefits which would flow from the absence of war. “There is a cry going up from the hearts of all the peace-loving citizens of every country for the lessening of their military burdens, for a decrease of the financial load which those burdens impose, for the security of civil population against methods of warfare, and above all, for security against the very idea of war.”
In 1937, as President of the League of Nations, he called for the “peaceful removal of the causes of war and the establishment of the empire of peace throughout the world.” The Maharaja of Bikaner called him “a bridge between the East and the West, a connecting link between the two main civilizations of the modern world.” His sincere efforts to employ culture, more importantly the exchange of literature and historical enlightenment, as a means to improve international trust and goodwill, had no successor in the corridors of nations.
His love for humanity and his concern for the welfare of nations made the Aga Khan to work for ‘World Peace Order’, and put an end to wars. Today, the European Union (EU) owes its birth or formation substantially to the Aga Khan, who, just a year before Second World War appealed for the incarnation of ‘United States of Europe’ so as to avert the dangers of war (an earlier long ignored suggestion of Aristide Briand and Gustav Stresemann, the joint winners of 1926 Nobel Peace Prize).
The crown of culture is poetry, and especially the poetry that speaks of spirit of man and the compassion of God. The Aga Khan had read poetry extensively, particularly the Persian poetry. “Man’s greatest of all treasures, the greatest of all his possessions, is the inherent, everlasting nobility of his own soul.” In it “there is forever a spark of true divinity which could conquer all the antagonistic and debasing elements in nature.” The faith in the soul of man is “not simply religious or mystic but an all-embracing and immediate contact with the ‘fact’, which, in every human being, is the ‘central fact of existence’.”
The Aga Khan called Islam “a great cultural and spiritual source for the world unity, and the fraternity of nations,”
He believed the religion to be of strong spiritual and aesthetic dimension in ones life. “A man must be at one with God,” he said. This was the mystical way to personal communion and joy of the heart. His religion had many dimensions in itself, all leading to a humanistic view of the world and an inner comprehension of what God has created.
The esoteric and mystic side of his individual belief is well described in certain passages of his autobiography ‘Memoirs of Aga Khan’. “It is said that we live, move, and have our being in God, when we realise the meaning of this saying, we are already preparing ourselves for the gift of the power of direct experience”. “The love of one human being for another is the harbinger of a joy which overshadows all the treasures of this life; all fame, all wealth, all power, all riches.
“The way to personal fulfillment, to individual reconciliation with the Universe that is about us, is comparatively easy for anyone who firmly and sincerely believes, as I do, that Divine Grace has given man in his own heart the possibilities of illumination and of union with Reality.”
The Isma’ili Muslims celebrated Golden Jubilee of his Imamat Caliphate in Bombay (1936) and in Nairobi (1937); the Diamond Jubilee in Bombay (1946) and in Dar es Salaam (1946) and the Platinum Jubilee in Cairo (1953) and in Karachi (1954), weighing the Ima'm with gold, diamonds and platinum respectively as mark of their faith, devotion, and gratitude for the Imamat. The Imam reciprocated Ismaili feelings most generously giving these back to be used as endowment for social, economic and educational development of the Ismailis in India, Pakistan, Africa, and world wide.
His struggle for saving Turkey from Greek expansionist ambition in 1920, his efforts to preserve the Caliphate after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1921, his stand for the Palestinians in 1929, the building of hundreds of Medrisa (schools for teaching Isla'm) and mosques in Africa, India and Pakistan and his work for the Pan-Islamism are but a few examples of his great services for the cause of Isla'm.
His book "India in transition" on the Indian problems, published in 1918 by the Times of India Press, Bombay had won him a worldwide acclaim. Baal Ganga'dhar Tilak, a political ancestor of Gandhiji, has remarked it as "the political Geeta of India".
He married Shahza'di Begum, his cousin (1897); Theresa Maglian, mother of Prince Aly Solomone Khan (1908); Andree Carron, mother of Prince Sadruddi'n (1933); and Omm Habibah (1944).
The 48th Fatimid Imam Caliph passed away at the age of eighty-two on Thursday the twelfth of Zil-Hijja, 1376 ME 11th July, 1957 at his residence Bar'kat Villa in Geneva, Switzerland.
Otto Giesen from Slaughter and May, the solicitor firm of the Aga Khan brought the WILL from Lloyds Bank, London, and read it before Imam's family at Bar’kat Villa.
The Aga Khan writes in his WILL: "Ever since the time of my ancestor Ali, the first Imam, that is to say over a period of thirteen hundred years, it has always been the tradition of our family that each Imam chooses his successor at his absolute and unfettered discretion from amongst any of his descendants, whether they be sons or remote male issue and in these circumstances and in view of the fundamentally altered conditions in the world in very recent years due to the great changes which have taken place including the discoveries of atomic science, I am convinced that it is in the best interest of the Shia Muslim Ismailia Community that I should be succeeded by a young man who has been brought up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age and who brings a new outlook on life to his office as Imam. For these reasons, I appoint my grandson Karim, the son of my own son, Aly Salomone Khan to succeed to the title of Aga Khan and to the Imam and Pir of all Shia Ismailian followers."

Notes: This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan. Fatimid Heritage Foundation is a Cooperating Organization with The Development Gateway. The FATIMID - DG partnership supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

2008 World Development Report:Agriculture for Development

2007-10-27T15:13:00.000+05:00

The latest World Development Report calls for greater investment in agriculture in developing countries and warns that the sector must be placed at the center of the development agenda if the goals of halving extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 are to be realized.
Titled ‘Agriculture for Development’, the report says the agricultural and rural sectors have suffered from neglect and underinvestment over the past 20 years. While 75 percent of the world’s poor live in rural areas, a mere 4 percent of official development assistance goes to agriculture in developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, a region heavily reliant on agriculture for overall growth, public spending for farming is also only 4 percent of total government spending and the sector is still taxed at relatively high levels.
The World Bank Group is advocating a new ‘agriculture for development’ agenda. According to the WDR, for the poorest people, GDP growth originating in agriculture is about four times more effective in reducing poverty than GDP growth originating outside the sector. “A dynamic ‘agriculture for development’ agenda can benefit the estimated 900 million rural people in the developing world who live on less than $1 a day, most of whom are engaged in agriculture,” said Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank Group President. “We need to give agriculture more prominence across the board. At the global level, countries must deliver on vital reforms such as cutting distorting subsidies and opening markets, while civil society groups, especially farmer organizations, need more say in setting the agricultural agenda.”
According to the report, agriculture can offer pathways out of poverty if efforts are made to increase productivity in the staple foods sector; connect smallholders to rapidly expanding high-value horticulture, poultry, aquaculture, as well as dairy markets; and generate jobs in the rural nonfarm economy.
“Agricultural growth has been highly successful in reducing rural poverty in East Asia over the past 15 years,” said Francois Bourguignon, World Bank Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, Development Economics. “The challenge is to sustain and expand agriculture’s unique poverty-reducing power, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia where the number of rural poor people is still rising and will continue to exceed the number of urban poor for at least another 30 years.”
For its part, the Bank intends to continue increasing its support for agriculture and rural development, following a decline in lending in the 1980s and 1990s. Commitments in FY07 reached $3.1 billion, marking an increase for the fourth straight year.
DETAILED FINDINGS
The report also warns global food supplies are under pressure from expanding demand for food, feed, and biofuels; the rising price of energy; and increasing land and water scarcity; as well as the effects of climate change. This in turn is contributing to uncertainty about future food prices.
Agriculture consumes 85 percent of the world’s utilized water and the sector contributes to deforestation, land degradation, and pollution. The report recommends measures to achieve more sustainable production systems and outlines incentives to protect the environment.
The report says in agriculture-based countries—home to 417 million rural people, 170 million of whom live on less than $1 a day—the agricultural sector is essential to overall growth, poverty reduction, and food security. Most of these countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the sector employs 65 percent of the labor force and generates 32 percent of GDP growth.
For Sub-Saharan Africa’s development, the report highlights issues to be urgently confronted: too little public spending on agriculture; donor support for emergency food aid with insufficient attention to income-raising investments; rich-country trade barriers and subsidies for key commodities such as cotton and oilseeds; and the under-recognized potential of millions of women who play a dominant role in farming.
In transforming countries such as China, India, and Morocco, agriculture contributes on average only 7 percent to GDP growth, but lagging rural incomes are a major source of political tensions. Dynamism in the rural and agricultural sectors is needed to narrow the rural-urban income gap and reduce rural poverty for 600 million poor while avoiding falling into subsidy and protection traps that will stymie growth and tax poor consumers.
In urbanized countries, mainly in Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, agriculture contributes just 5 percent of GDP growth on average. However, rural areas are still home to 45 percent of the poor, and agribusiness and food services account for as much as one third of GDP. The broad goal is to link smallholders to modern food markets and provide remunerative jobs in rural areas.
The report says rich countries need to reform policies which harm the poor. For example, it is vital that the United States reduces cotton subsidies which depress prices for African smallholders. In the emerging area of biofuels, the problem is both restrictive tariffs and heavy subsidies in rich countries, which drive up food prices and limit export opportunities for efficient developing country producers. The report also asserts that industrialized countries that were the major contributors to global warming urgently need to do more to help poor farmers adapt their production systems to climate change.
Meanwhile as autumn began, FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance of AKDN partnered with the UN World Food Programme to ensure close to 1,000 MT of food reach isolated communities living in districts of north-eastern Afghanistan. Accessing the mountainous communities is challenging at the best of times, however FOCUS’ expertise, local voluntary capacity and knowledge of the local terrain has ensured that vital supplies are channeled through Kulyab in Tajikistan and transported to Darwaz in the Afghanistan province of Badakhshan. The route is made complex as the only accessible road to Darwaz is across the Tajik-Afghan border and back again at a different crossing.
Notes:
This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (1957-2007). The 49th Fatimid Imam Caliph, His Highness Aga Khan is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in- Aly, the first Imam Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan.
Report and related material: www.worldbank.org/wdr2008
Journalists are encouraged to use this url in their reports.

Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme: Revitalizing communities around the world > Prince Hussain, Princess Khaliya Grace the Exhibition

2007-10-25T23:10:00.001+05:00

This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (1957-2007). The 49th Fatimid Imam Caliph, His Highness Aga Khan is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in- Aly, the first Imam Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
As Golden Jubilee Commemoration, Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) is presenting international exhibition featuring acclaimed projects of the Historic Cities Programme (HCP). Opened at gala premiere in Washington D.C. on 21 September 2007, the HCP exhibition is set to visit other cities in the Unites States and Canada, before travelling globally.
Prince Hussain Aga Khan and wife, Princess Khaliya, attended the inauguration of the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme (HCP) Travelling Exhibition at the City Hall, in Sugar Land, Texas, on 14 October 2007.
At the opening ceremony in City Hall, David Wallace, Mayor of Sugar Land, thanked Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya for their presence and promoting Sugar Land as the site for this inaugural event. He recalled the 2002 opening of the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Sugar Land.
HCP projects demonstrate the commitment of His Highness Aga Khan to revitalize Muslim heritage, improve built environment, and transform lives to joy and happiness. The AKTC approach is to leverage cultural assets and mobilize grass-roots citizenry to generate economic activity, develop infrastructure, and improve living conditions. Involvement of local community and leaders, training of local artisans and tradesmen, and building the local institutional capacity for help, ensures long-term sustainability of the projects. Central to these endeavors are the underpinning Muslim ethics of inclusiveness, self-reliance, and extension of care and support to those in need.
Beyond showing historic buildings and cultural monuments, HCP exhibition also demonstrates how architecture and development can bring diverse peoples together onto collaborative platforms to address shared needs and objectives. In a similar vein, architecture creates an intellectual space for diverse Muslim communities and cultures to dialogue about their shared beliefs and values, thus overcoming perceived divides.
Seventeen large-scale exhibition panels showcase, in vivid detail, some 11 projects in eight cities, spanning Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as the video narrates their stories.
In just a few stops on its international tour, the HCP exhibition has attracted a diverse audience, including students, academicians, civic authorities, planners, engineers, architects, and others. The exhibition has inspired and mobilized Ismaili volunteers to give generously of their time and knowledge, and thereby contribute to a better understanding of the world and Muslim social conscience, through the vernaculars of culture and architecture that enhance peace, knowledge, interfaith harmony and pluralism.
Concurrently with the HCP exhibition in the USA is another international Golden Jubilee initiative taking place in Canada, A Mystical Journey, which premiered in Vancouver and will travel to five Canadian cities before touring other countries.
The performance of A Mystical Journey held in Edmonton, Alberta on 17 October 2007 was the next venue for Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya. The evening began with a pre-performance reception with the artists and invited guests, including Stephen Mandel, Mayor of Edmonton and Dave Hancock, Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness.
During reception, the Mayor formally presented Prince Hussain with a Proclamation recognising him as an Ambassador of the city of Edmonton. He acknowledged Prince Hussain’s involvement with various projects under the Aga Khan Development Network(AKDN).

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

World Heritage Sites Hit by the 2004 Earthquake and Tsunami >> Fatimid Heritage Foundation

2007-10-25T15:30:00.000+05:00

Several sites on UNESCO’S World Heritage List are located in the region affected by the 2004 Earthquake and Tsunami. UNESCO, experts from the World Heritage community, and local authorities are evaluating damage to these sites. Emergency assistance is also available through the World Heritage Fund to help the affected countries to establish detailed damage assessment and rehabilitation plans. Several World Heritage sites are located in the affected areas: The Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications in Sri Lanka have been flooded and there have been important damage affecting underwater heritage in the ancient harbor. The Ujung Kulon National Park and Tropical Rainforest of Sumatra, Indonesia, has damage to conservation structures in the National Park of Gunung Leuser, part of the Tropical Rainforest of Sumatra. Two other sites, Mahabalipuram and Sun Temples of Konarak, in India, although located in the affected zones, have not suffered any substantial damage.

Courtesy: Charles Cleymeyer
Center for Native Lands

International Symposium For World Heritage Listimg of the Silk Road

2007-10-25T14:01:00.000+05:00

This symposium, organized jointly by ICOMOS, the Chinese State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Shaanxi province People's Government and Xi'an Municipal People's Government, with support from the World Heritage Centre, will mainly introduce the cultural heritage feature of the Silk Road, the concepts and methods of transnational united application for World Heritage listing. Moreover, the relevant concept for World Heritage nomination of cultural heritage sites along the Silk Road, problems of ideas, principles, techniques etc. for their conservation and management will also be discussed. The aim of this symposium is to provide training for experts and technical consultants from China and Central Asian countries on the application of the Silk Road World Heritage nomination.

Contact information:

Zhao Fengyan, Cao Mingjing
Secretariat
ICOMOS International Conservation Center (IICC-X)
68 West Friendship Road
Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068
China

Contacts
Feng Jing

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

President Musharraf Writes History >> Creates Northern Areas Assembly >> Golden Jubilee “Nazrana” to Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, People.

2007-10-24T10:48:00.000+05:00

His Excellency President General Musharraf in this Diamond Jubilee Year of the Creation of Pakistan, on Tuesday announced landmark constitutional and development packages for the Northern Areas inhabited by more than one million people.

“All the administrative and financial powers of the Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Ministry (KANA) will be transferred to the Northern Areas,” the president announced while addressing a large gathering of government officials and other notables of the area at the Military Auditorium in Gilgit where he inaugurated the 18 MW power project built at Naltar, about 40 kms from here.

However, the judicial system currently functioning as an attached department of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas shall remain for the time being. “While the whole country is facing power shortage, this region will be one of the luckiest areas free of load-shedding,” the President said.

Under the new package, the existing Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) would be upgraded as Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA). But currently the NALC is empowered to legislate only on 49 subjects in a 36-member council, which comprises 24 elected members, women and technocrats six each.

President Musharraf said that the new assembly would be empowered to elect its own head and that the Chief Executive of the House would be an elected member. He added that the new assembly shall prepare and approve its own budget forthwith.

He said that the Northern Areas Deputy Chief Executive would henceforth be called the Chief Executive of Northern Areas and the present Chief Executive /Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas would be the chairman, Northern Areas Government.

Contrary to the past practice, the elected assembly, after being empowered, would be able to move a no-confidence motion against the elected chief executive, speaker and deputy speaker of the assembly, the president said, adding that there would an Accountant General Office for the Northern Areas to carry out audit and account of the region.

One of the important announcements came after the president announced the creation of a new district in the region. “Hunza and Nagir sub-division would be the seventh district in the Northern Areas,” the president announced. He also announced the creation of two sub-divisions in the Baltistan region namely Dagoni and Raundo.

Musharraf said that the cases of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) pertaining to corrupt officials of the Northern Areas administration would be transferred from Islamabad to Gilgit. He also announced remission of agriculture loans up to Rs 50,000, which would benefit about 12,000 people. In addition, interest on loans of more than Rs 50,000 would be waived.

A boundary commission under Deputy Chairman Planning Commission will be set up to resolve the boundary issues between the Northern Areas and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), he said.

President Musharraf announced to increase the regional development budget from Rs 6.5 billion to Rs 7.6 billion. He also inaugurated the expansion work of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), which would be carried out by the Chinese government up to Thakot Bridge.

The president will visit the Baltistan region on the second day of his visit to inaugurate Sadpara Dam.

Northern Areas is currently being governed by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas through the Northern Areas Legal Framework Order (LFO) 1994. This new system would be incorporated in the regional LFO.

People from all walks of life accorded the most rousing reception to President Musharraf, not seen before in the history of this region.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

The Launching of Geneva Peace Development Centre

2007-10-21T16:56:00.000+05:00

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace)is an international non-profit initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant and Nazlin Anwar. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.

"Geneva Peace" the name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A center of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area, whose activities are central to human life in matters of health, labor, humanitarian assistance, trade and development, telecommunications, environment, scientific research, intellectual property, sports, etc.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

Meanwhile Geneva Peace Development Centre is pleased to announce of His Excellency President General Musharraf having approved the Legal Framework Order (LFO) on devolution of power at grass roots level to extend local government system in Northern Areas, historically the Aga Khan State.

For more information please visit: www.ismailigeneva.blogspot.com

Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph calls for Political And Theological Consensus Among All Muslims

2007-10-19T23:04:00.000+05:00

The Aga Khan at a ceremony held in Gouvieux, France on July 11, 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of his accession to the Fatimid Imamat Caliphate pledged to support democratic processes, find means to help the people living below the poverty line and address political and theological tensions through consensus among all Muslims.
Referring the current conflict situation in the world, the Aga Khan emphasised that Muslims themselves were best suited to address some of the issues facing them in the modern context. He called for revitalisation of the essential values of Islam which, he said, could be done only through greater collaboration among different interpretations of the faith.
The Fatimid Imam Caliph highlighted the role of civil society in effectively contributing to better processes of democratic government. In many countries of Asia and Africa, the Aga Khan said, “Democracy is young and still relatively ineffective in support of modern development activities. While a strong civil society can and does help to counter-balance such ineffectiveness, the processes of democratic government must also receive more attention and support.”
“Political situations with a theological overlay are causing disaffection or antagonism between communities of the same faith, and even more so among different faiths,” he said. “At the centre of this turbulence is Islam. We cannot let this continue. On the other hand, the sheer scale of the problem added to its complexity, making it an issue which the Ummah in its entirety can better address, rather than individual schools of interpretation within it” said the Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph.
Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF) works for the preservation and promotion of interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FHF leverages heritage and ICT as means to support and catalyze educational development and humanitarian assistance to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph.

Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) is an agency of Fatimid Heritage Foundation.

Aga Khan Development Network

2007-10-17T17:32:00.000+05:00

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, culture, microfinance, disaster reduction, rural development, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities. AKDN consists of the following organisations:

Aga Khan Foundation(AKF)
Aga Khan Health Services(AKHS)
Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance(AKAM)
Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development(AKFED)
Aga Khan Planning and Building Services(AKPBS)
Focus Humanitarian Assistance(focus)
Aga Khan Education Services(AKES)
Aga Khan Trust for Culture(AKTC)
University of Central Asia(UCA)
Aga Khan University(AKU)