aga khan fatimid imam caliph

Asian Development Bank and Aga Khan Development Network Strengthen Partnership

2008-01-30T22:21:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-01T01:49:00.000-08:00

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 Extends Eid ul Azha Greetings to Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph and the Ummah

2007-12-20T07:18:00.000-08:00

On the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Azha, Fatimid Heritage Foundation,Geneva Peace Development Centre and Moutain Girls Education Development Program extend hearty Eid Greetings to His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, and the Ummah.

www.ismaili.us

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

2007-12-10T05:02:00.000-08:00

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.

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

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

2007-12-01T02:16:00.000-08:00

Apollo The International Magazine has declared Aga Khan as Our International 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 extend hearty greetings to Honorable Federal Minister Dr. Shams Lakha . . . .

2007-11-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

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.

Europe Ismailis Prepare for the Knowledge Society

2007-11-15T23:27:00.000-08:00

In a rapidly growing knowledge society, lifelong learning and cross-border collaboration is becoming integral to success in today's meritocratic world. The need to build upon diverse resources and take advantage of the many opportunities the challenges present with globalization is now more relevant than before.
The Ismaili Council for the European Union (ICEU) has embraced the challenges and opportunities of the information society and has instituted programmes in order to assist the European Ismailis in engaging with a changing knowledge-based world. Currently, the ICEU has programmes in the key areas of lifelong learning and enterprise development.
The ICEU Lifelong Learning programme aims to promote shared and continuous learning, to develop the personal and economic potential of individuals, and to encourage a greater social conscience and active citizenship within the larger European community. Currently, the ICEU provides a framework for the lifelong learning through an accreditation process with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Tasneem Virani, Director of the ICEU Lifelong Learning programme, explains that "lifelong learning is a process that needs to be nurtured and guided, with continuous support and recognition." The ICEU Lifelong Learning programme provides this support through on-going workshops and peer mentoring. In addition, all participants in the programme complete an evaluative assignment prior to receiving their certificate from LSE that allows them to reflect upon how the programme has encouraged them to continue in their journey of learning.
‘ICEU Euroventures’ programme promotes a culture of collaboration within the businesses and professional sections of the European Ismailis, and beyond. The Euroventures Business stream acts as a catalyst to encourage entrepreneurs to explore joint investment projects and to achieve economic growth through targeted partnerships. The Euroventures Professionals stream aims at creating an enabling environment for professionals to network, share experience, knowledge, and best practices, and find areas of common interest to achieve professional growth and career development.
Arif Devji, Director of the ICEU Euroventures programme, notes "collaboration between members of the Jamat across European national borders is key to the success of Ismaili businesses and professionals in the continent." In light of this, the programme has and will continue to introduce several projects, including the proposed Euroventures Online portal and the Euroventures Conference recently held at the Ismaili Centre Lisbon (26-28 October 2007), which facilitate networking among professionals and entrepreneurs.
These ICEU programmes are examples of avenues through which the community can take advantage of the opportunities presented by today's knowledge society. With the ever-increasing trend towards globalization and meritocracy, learning and collaboration become instrumental to the continued progress of the community worldwide.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation extend hearty felicitation to Excellency Mohammedmian Soomro, Prime Minister, Pakistan

2007-11-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation happily extends heartiest felicitations to His Excellency Mohammedmian Soomro on assuming the august and auspicious office of the Prime Minister of Islamic Republic Pakistan, with prayers for success and happiness of fulfilment of duty.

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.

ArchNET Digital Library Urban Histories

2007-11-13T02:27:00.001-08:00

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

Showers of Rose Petals and Flowers for Musharraf World Community Celebrates His Election 2008 Declaration

2007-11-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-11T03:03:00.000-08:00

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.

Aga Khan Goliden Jubilee Mozambique Darbar 2007

2007-11-05T23:53:00.000-08:00

ENTER

Contributors: Meena Valli Mohammed wli@cyber.net.pk saleem.ladhani@akrsp.org.pk

Emergency in Pakistan to Ensure Democracy Good Governance And Global Pluralism

2007-11-04T06:23:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2007-11-03T02:39:00.000-07:00

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.

Join the dgCommunities here.

AGA KHAN III Championed World Peace at "Disarmament Conference" 1932 And League of Nations

2007-11-02T03:29:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

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 (since1957). 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.

Prince Hussain, Princess Khaliya Attend Imamat Golden Jubilee Initiatives

2007-10-25T00:56:00.000-07:00

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 the Council for USA for choosing Sugar Land as the site for this inaugural event. He recalled the 2002 opening of the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Sugar Land by Governor Perry of Texas and His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph.
HCP exhibition, an international Golden Jubilee initiative hosted by the Council for USA, featured large panels depicting various projects of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and its Historic Cities Programme. Young Ismaili tour guides described the historic significance of the sites, the ethical underpinnings of AKTC projects and their impact on the surrounding communities. Projects in the exhibition included the gardens of Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi, the Al-Azhar Park in Cairo and the Grand Mosque in Mopti.
Professor Donald Sweeney of Texas A & M University commented: “What I saw in their approach to community development was very, very wise based on huge amount of experience... I’m going to talk to my faculty and colleagues about it and to my students... I’m extremely impressed with the values and the skills of this organisation.”
After viewing the exhibition, the Prince and Princess walked out onto the Town Square, where thousands of people had gathered to view the Aga Khan Foundation USA Partnership Village. Addressing the audience, the Mayor said: “The Aga Khan Foundation is a leader in creating innovative solutions, helping to lift people out of poverty and offering something very precious, and that is hope.” The Mayor presented Prince Hussain with the Key to the City of Sugar Land.
Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya toured the exhibits in the Village, designed to show the challenges people face in some parts of the world, and the redress, Aga Khan Foundation provides to improve the quality of their lives.
The day concluded with a reception for Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya by the Ismaili Council for USA and the Aga Khan Foundation USA.
Dr. Eboo, President of the Ismaili Council for USA, thanked the Royal Couple for their august presence, and the Mayor for the city’s hospitality, and support for the events. Not only was it a special day, he said but “it is a special year. His Highness the Aga Khan, is celebrating his 50th anniversary as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, so this entire year is a celebration for Ismailis all over the world.”
Mayor Wallace, in his address, remarked on the enthusiasm and knowledge of the exhibition tour guides: “There is a saying that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. But I felt that the youth here today are the leaders of today.”
The finale to the evening was the Jubilee Dance, originally choreographed for the 11 July 2007 Imamat Day celebrations. The exciting performance by 42 youth reflected the cultures of several countries and received a standing ovation. It was an appropriate ending to a day that illustrated the significance of restoring and maintaining cultural sites and of the need to assist others around the world.
Running 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 the 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) and said the institution’s work and values are “an example for all Edmontonians to follow.
In his address, Dave Hancock, Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness, complimented the Alberta Ismailis, saying he had found leadership to be a quality all Ismailis demonstrate on a daily basis. “The time and the effort that each and every one of you gives to make our community a better place is so important,” he said. Coming together to view A Mystical Journey therefore is the perfect way to “celebrate the role that each of you and your community play in building a better society.”
After the reception, Mohamed Manji, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, escorted Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya to an exhibition in the foyer of the Winspear Centre. The displays contained photographs of the major initiatives under the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and renderings of the four major Imamat projects currently underway in Canada.
President Manji said that it was fitting that A Mystical Journey premiered in Canada because “Canada has promoted pluralism among its citizens by welcoming people and traditions from all parts of the world,” he said. “We, as Canadians, are encouraged to celebrate our own culture and tradition as part of the diverse social fabric of this country. It is this diversity, that His Highness the Aga Khan calls 'Canada’s gift to the world' ”. He also expressed the honour Canadians felt as hosts to the Prince and Princess and thanked them for their visit on behalf of the Ismailis of Canada.
Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya, along with a sold-out audience witnessed the enchanting sounds of the oud (lute), the strong beat of the tabla (hand-held drum) and the captivating dance of the whirling Sufis. Showcasing and celebrating the rich diversity of devotional expressions in Islam, the musicians and dancers represented various countries and cultures, including Algeria, Bosnia, Pakistan, Syria and Tajikistan. Guests observed differences not only in language, dress and instruments utilised throughout the evening, but also in the type of performances, such as qawwalis (devotional music tradition), kalams (poetic works) and rock songs.Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya individually congratulated the artistes for their wonderful performance.

Contributed by: saleem.ladhani@akrsp.org.pk

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

2007-10-24T00:55:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-10-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

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.

United States Drug Enforcement Agency Declares Pakistan ‘Vital Anti-Drug Ally’

2007-10-17T02:35:00.000-07:00

The Administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Karen P. Tandy, described Pakistan as “a success story in the global war on drugs” and observed that Pakistan is “America’s vital ally on anti-drug efforts.”

“The U.S. DEA and Pakistan stand shoulder-to-shoulder, and we are proud of our friendship with Pakistani law enforcement,” she told a gathering of anti-narcotics and law enforcement officials here. “We are eager to build on our outstanding friendship with Pakistan and Pakistani law enforcement for the good of both of our nations.”

In introducing the DEA Administrator, the American Ambassador, Anne W. Patterson, noted that in her previous posting as Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, she worked closely with Administrator Tandy.

“I saw first-hand the outstanding work of the DEA under her leadership,” the U.S. Ambassador remarked. “Within the United States and around the world, the DEA has a strong record of success in dismantling drug trafficking organizations and bringing drug traffickers to justice.”

The DEA Administrator said that, according to UN estimates, the world drug trade generates 320 billion U.S. dollars and is the “single most profitable sector of transnational criminality.”

“To address this global drug threat, DEA works with enforcement agencies worldwide. In fact, we have a larger international presence than any other U.S. federal law enforcement agency,” DEA’s Tandy added.

Explaining the “sinister connection between drugs and terrorism,” Ms. Tandy said that the “monster of the Afghan opium trade” threatens not only Pakistan but the entire world.

“I have just come from Afghanistan, and I can tell you that we are having success in the vital attack on the Afghan opium trade,” the U.S. DEA Administrator added. “Together with our Afghan counterparts and Coalition forces, we are successfully identifying, disrupting, and dismantling high-level Afghan trafficking organizations, their leaders, their infrastructure, and their illicit assets.”

Assuring U.S. support to Pakistan in counter-narcotics efforts, she noted that “like the United States, Pakistan has been hard-hit by the problem of drug abuse.”

“We are here to work with you to keep the opium threat from flooding your nation with the misery of addiction, and to eliminate the very real threat of drug-funded terrorism,” she concluded.

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.

His Highness Aga Khan: enhancing inter faith harmony, global pluralism

2007-10-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

President Bush and Prime Minister Brown Applaud Islam > Send Eid Greetings To Muslim Ummah

2007-10-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Sending Eid ul Fitr greetings to Muslims, US President George Bush stated "the great faith of Islam has enhanced American society and brought comfort and strength to generations in America and around the world".

“Our nation is proud to be a land of many beliefs, and our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens,” he said in a message released on the occasion of the Islamic festival.

“The great faith of Islam has enhanced our society and brought comfort and strength to generations in America and around the world. The three day festival of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan and is a time to look forward with a spirit of renewal and hope, and celebrate the rich Islamic tradition of charity and giving.”

During this holiday, Muslims gather with family and friends to share in traditional food, thank God for His blessings, and reach out to the less fortunate, Bush said.

He wished that on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, may “people of all faiths reflect on the values we hold in common, including love of family, the importance of community, and gratitude to God.”

“Laura and I send our best wishes for a joyful celebration. Eid Mubarak,” The President added.

The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in his Eid message has said UK can be proud of the contribution to all fields of its national life and its prosperity by the huge contribution of the Muslim communities.

In his message released by the Downing Street , he said : “I know that the Holy Month of Ramadan has an important and special meaning for the many and diverse Muslim communities all over the world. The period of daily fasting gives you a time to reflect on your lives and your faith.

“This celebration is also important for everyone in our country as it reminds us all of our shared obligation to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

The British Prime Minister said Islamic art, science, philosophy and thought have enriched our lives over many centuries. “And in Britain, of course, our Muslim communities make a huge contribution to all fields of our national life and the United Kingdom’s prosperity. This is something we can all be proud of.”

He expressed his delight to send his warmest wishes to the British Muslim communities on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

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.

Aga khan Fatimid International Development (AKFID) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are the agencies of Fatimid Heritage Foundation.

South Africa and Bangladesh Projects Share UNEP Sasakawa Environment Award 2007 > Mountain Girls Education Development Program

2007-10-13T02:17:00.000-07:00

Environment Protection against Climate Change: Ms. Jeunesse Park of South Africa and Bangladesh NGO Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha are the co-winners of the UNEP Sasakawa Prize 2007, a $200,000 prize awarded yearly to individuals or institutions making substantial contribution to the protection and management of the environment.

Commenting on this announcement, Ms. Park, who has been working on climate change since 1990, said: "it has been rewarding to recently see the growing interest in this crucial global crisis and to know that we have played a small part in facilitating action in South Africa".

For his part, Abul Hasanat Mohammed Rezwan, Shidhulai Executive Director, noted that the prize will help his organization "provide clean solar-powered lighting and educate thousands of people on literacy, sustainable farming and climate change", as well as promote "self-reliance for hundreds of villages in Bangladesh".

The jury comprising Professor Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate; Ms. Angela Cropper, Senator for Trinidad and Tobago; Ms. Wakako Hironaka, former Minister of the Environment of Japan; and Mr. Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director chose the co-winners, at a meeting at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi. The award ceremony will be held on 27 October 2007 at the Museum of Natural History, Rose Center for Earth and Space, in New York, USA.

The UNEP Sasakawa Prize acts as an incentive for environmental efforts that are sustainable and replicable in the long-term. It recognizes innovation, groundbreaking research and ideas, and extraordinary grassroots initiatives from around the world.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "Leadership is urgently needed if the international community is to rise to the challenge of climate change-leadership from the United Nations; governments, scientists; business and cities, but also leadership from individuals and civil society organizations working on the ground".

The UNEP Sasakawa Prize is sponsored by the Japan-based Nippon Foundation, an independent, non-profit grant-making organization that supports both domestic and international philanthropic projects. The UNEP Sasakawa Prize was originally established in 1982 by the late Ryoichi Sasakawa. The Prize was re-launched in its current format in 2005, and is currently chaired by Mr. Sasakawa's son, Yohei Sasakawa.

The Winners
Ms. Jeunesse Park is the founder and CEO of Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA). She has played a significant role in the introduction of the concept of urban forestry. Taking note that over 66% of South Africa's population lives in degraded urban areas, she initiated the Urban Greening Forum. With support from various international and local environmental entities, she began working with national and local authorities and communities in the barren townships of South Africa to develop parks, nurseries, street trees and other greening projects. Her work has provided a model for several municipalities such as Soweto, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Port Elizabeth and Kimberley.

Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, since 1998 helps the poor and marginalized in the remote Chalanbeel region and combats the effects of climate change in Bangladesh, particularly devastating floods and rising water levels.
The Shidhulai has achieved this target by building 40 flat-bottomed boats from locally available materials, to bring a range of educational services and renewable energy supplies to 88,000 families each year.

The boats, which anchor at remote villages, rely on solar energy and cellular network for Internet access. The volunteers of Shidhulai educate men, women, and children on issues ranging from agricultural practices to micro enterprise and literacy. Students, who would otherwise be unable to attend school during the monsoon season, continue their education using the libraries' onboard field staff. With illiteracy rates in Bangladesh at nearly 60%, Shidhulai is making a significant impact on educating young people, especially girls who make up 70 percent of the program's beneficiaries.

Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF) works for the preservation and promotion of interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FHF leverages cultural heritage as a means to support and catalyze educational development and humanitarian assistance to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world according to the vision of His Highness Aga Khan, the Fatimid Imam Caliph. Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) is the agency of Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF).

Al Gore, United Nations body win Nobel Peace Prize 2007 > Fatimid Heritage Foundation

2007-10-12T23:48:00.000-07:00

Former US vice president Al Gore and the UN’s top climate panel shared the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, in a major boost to the international campaign for action against global warming.

Gore, who has reinvented himself as a climate warrior since failing in his bid to become US president in 2000, said he was “deeply honoured” by the award and spoke of the “planetary emergency” brought about by climate change.

The 2007 prize was jointly awarded to Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — a UN body of about 3,000 experts which has highlighted the human role in steadily mounting global temperatures.

The Norwegian Nobel committee cited the recipients “for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.”

The committee said it wanted to contribute to efforts “to reduce the threat to the security of mankind. Action is necessary now, before climate change moves beyond man’s control.”

Gore, 59, is bound to attract most of the attention when the winners claim their 10-million-Swedish-kronor prize on Dec 10.

The United States former vice president has helped put global warming at the top of the international agenda with his Oscar-winning 2006 film “An Inconvenient Truth”, based on years of lectures on the subject.

The Nobel committee described Gore as “probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted”. Gore said after hearing the news: “We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue; it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity.”

He added that the prize was “even more meaningful” as it was shared with the IPCC, “whose members have worked tirelessly and selflessly for many years”.

Some experts say Gore’s campaign, the Oscar and now the Nobel Peace Prize could persuade him to make a last minute bid to secure the Democratic nomination for the 2008 US presidential election. Gore himself discounts the idea, and asked about the possibility on Friday, Ole Danbolt Mjoes, head of the five-member Nobel committee, said he was “not very interested” in what the prize winners do next.

The IPCC, set up in 1988, is tasked with giving policymakers a summary of the latest knowledge about climate change.

Its fourth report, published this year, gave the starkest view yet on the challenge, warning that climate change was already on the march and that rising temperatures fuelled the risk of drought, flooding and violent storms.
Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF) works for the preservation and promotion of interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FHF leverages cultural heritage as a means to support and catalyze educational development and humanitarian assistance to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world according to the vision of His Highness Aga Khan, the Fatimid Imam Caliph. Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) is the agency of Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF).

EID Greetings to Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph and Ummah > Fatimid Heritage Foundation

2007-10-12T01:16:00.000-07:00

On the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Fitr, Fatimid Heritage Foundation extends its devoted hearty Eid Greetings to His Highness Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Fatimid Imam Caliph, and felicitates the Ummah with warmest of EID Mubaraq.

The ArchNet is happy to announce having the addition to the Digital Library of Constructing the Study of Islamic Art, a four-volume anthology of articles written by historian Dr. Oleg Grabar. Spanning his career, these articles demonstrate the rich breadth and depth of his research in the field of Islamic art and architecture.

Now an emeritus professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, Dr. Grabar’s research has covered the Middle East, including sites in Asia and Africa. Dr. Grabar has taught at the University of Michigan, Harvard University (where he co-founded the Aga Khan Program in Islamic Architecture), and the Institute for Advanced Study.

This unique anthology brings together a lifetime of perspectives in Islamic art and architectural history, offering observations on built works and decorative objects as well as painting, iconography, and aesthetic theory. Constructing the Study of Islamic Art, in four volumes (Early Islamic Art, 650-1100, Islamic Visual Culture, 1100-1800, Islamic Art and Beyond, and Jerusalem) has been made available on ArchNet with the kind permission of Ashgate Publishing.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF) works for the preservation and promotion of interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FHF leverages cultural heritage as a means to support and catalyze educational development and humanitarian assistance to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world according to the vision of His Highness Aga Khan, the Fatimid Imam Caliph. Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) is the agency of Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF).

UNPFII United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues UNPFII Membership 2008-2010 > Fatimid Heritage Foundation

2007-10-11T02:29:00.000-07:00

Membership
The Permanent Forum is comprised of sixteen independent experts, functioning in their personal capacity, who serve for a term of three years as Members and may be re-elected or re-appointed for one additional term.

Eight of the Members are nominated by governments and eight are nominated directly by indigenous organizations in their regions.

The Members nominated by governments are elected by ECOSOC based on the five regional groupings of States normally used at the United Nations (Africa; Asia; Eastern Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Western Europe and Other States).

The Members nominated by indigenous organizations are appointed by the President of ECOSOC and represent the seven socio-cultural regions determined to give broad representation to the world’s indigenous peoples.

The regions are Africa; Asia; Central and South America and the Caribbean; the Arctic; Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia; North America; and the Pacific—with one additional rotating seat among the three first listed above.

UNPFII Members 2008-2010
Eight government nominated members of the Permanent Forum were recently elected by the Economic and Social Council. The President of the Economic and Social Council also appointed eight members of the Permanent Forum who were nominated by indigenous peoples’ organizations. They will serve for a period of three years, starting 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2010. The newly elected members are:

1. Mr Simeon Adewale Adekanye, (Nigeria)
2. Mr. Lars-Anders Baer, (Sweden)
3. Ms. Elisa Canqui Mollo, (Bolivia)
4. Mr. Bartolomé Clavero Salvador, (Spain)
5. Mr. Michael Dodson, (Australia)
6. Ms. Tonya Gonella Frichner, (United States of America)
7. Ms Paimaneh Hasteh, (Islamic Republic of Iran)
8. Mr. Hassan Id Balkassm, (Morocco)
9. Ms. Margaret Lokawua, (Uganda)
10. Mr. Carlos Mamani Condori (Bolivia)
11. Ms Liliane Muzangi Mbela, (Democratic Republic of Congo)
12. Mr A A Nikiforov, (Russian Federation)
13. Mr. Carsten Smith, (Norway)
14. Mr. Pavel Sulyandziga, (Russian Federation)
15. Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, (Philippines)
16. Ms Xiaomei Qin, (China)

Documents

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues:Election of eight members from among candidates nominated by Governments and appointment of eight members by the President of the Economic and Social Council E/2007/9/Add.2Note by the Secretary General
Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF) works for the preservation and promotion of interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FHF leverages cultural heritage as a means to support and catalyze educational development and humanitarian assistance to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world according to the vision of His Highness Aga Khan, the Fatimid Imam Caliph. Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) is the agency of Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF).

National Art Gallery Islamabad > Thank You President Musharraf < Fatimid Heritage Foundation

2007-10-11T02:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to special efforts from His Excellency President General Musharraf, after 28 years in the making, Pakistan’s National Art Gallery now stands on Constitution Avenue next to the country’s Parliament, Supreme Court, and Presidency. Its modest pale brick exterior belies a highly polished interior, one rich in natural light. A haveli-style courtyard and masonry details blend with aluminum light scoops to enrich the vistor’s experience of the galleries, all linked spatially by the museum’s circular circulation pattern. Balconies and galleries incorporated from the Moghul era, a courtyard from Central Asian cultures and the use of bricks represents this great work of Islamic Architectur.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF) works for the preservation and promotion of interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FHF leverages cultural heritage as a means to support and catalyze educational development and humanitarian assistance to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world according to the vision of His Highness Aga Khan, the Fatimid Imam Caliph. Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) is the agency of Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FHF).

Development Credit Bank Ltd < Nazlin Anwar Merchant

2007-10-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) activities in India ranges from microfinance to corporate banking and financial services. A wide range of microfinance programmes are part of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.
The Ismaili tradition of self-help and humanitarian assistance gave impetus to small community-based co-operative societies that evolved, with the help of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), into small co-operative banks, Masalawalla Co-operative Bank Ltd (MCB), and Ismailia Co-operative Bank Ltd (ICB) which then merged to form the Development Co-operative Bank, and eventually metamorphosed during the 1990s into the Development Credit Bank (DCB).
From its origins in small institutions addressing the needs of underserved communities, especially in the co-operative sector, DCB has emerged as a fully fledged commercial bank providing advanced corporate finance services at one end of the spectrum while continuing to service the needs of co-operative society borrowers.
Development Credit Bank Ltd. (DCB) is amongst the fastest growing private sector scheduled commercial Banks in the country today with a history of operating in the financial services arena for over 70 years.
DCB, recognised as among the country’s most preferred and profitable retail banks, provides a comprehensive suite of world class products for specific market segments in chosen geographies and has initiated a ‘liability and select asset product’ led strategy, through a mix of both owned and outsourced products and multi-channel capability. The products are innovative, designed to understand customer requirements and offer customised service.
In recent years, the Bank has broadened its client base and made investments in information technology. At DCB, understanding customers' and responding to their financial needs is fundamental to the way business is done. In addition to personalised attention, customers also expect their banks to have systems in place that offer simplified transactional conveniences. Combining new-age technology with the refinement of old fashioned banking has enabled DCB to conform to international standards in service delivery as well as offer innovative product offerings such as Mobile Phone Banking and ATM sharing partnerships with other banks enhancing access to over 4000 ATMs in the country, Debit Cards and more.
The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) is the single largest stakeholder in the Bank. The Fund holds a stake of 49% in the Bank. The AKFED promotes private sector initiatives and entrepreneurship through equity investment, in partnership with multilateral agencies, international investors, local development institutions and individuals.
Development Credit Bank Limited (DCB) one of the emerging Private Sector Banks in India with access to over 11,000 ATMs and 72 state-of-the-art branches and extension counters spread over nine States and two Union Territories. As of 31 March 2006, DCB’s deposit base was Rs. 3124 crores and the advances were over Rs. 1867 crores. The Bank has recently launched several value added initiatives and intends to be renowned as one of the country’s preferred and profitable Retail Banks in India, providing a comprehensive suite of “best in class” products for specific market segments in chosen geographies and has initiated a liability and select asset product led strategy, through a mix of owned and outsourced products and multi-channel capability.
As one of the new initiatives of making the difference felt in the Bank's image, the DCB corporate office has shifted to a new location in Mumbai. It is now centrally located and spreads over 33,000 square feet of area. The new office interiors have a modern and tasteful look and project the professional and sophisticated image.
DCB is involved with development agencies towards sponsorship of activities in areas of health, education and promotion of welfare and economic development.
• Providing access to good quality, comprehensive health care programmes and promoting physical, social and mental well-being within the target population through a sustainable healthcare system.
• Supporting programmes like educational development of the student population – enabling them to acquire greater levels of competency and meritocracy.
• Sponsorship of social and economic activities, which aim to develop the economic status of the less privileged families through small business ventures or vocational skills.
• Sponsorship of programmes which facilitate the quality of living for the society at large, through environment interventions of issues relating to sanitation, maintenance and safety of housing societies.
• DCB, a pioneer in Gender Sensitive Finance, set up an exclusive Women Counselling Cell, in 1991 with the objective of financially empowering women. The Cell has been instrumental in providing access of credit to women for building entrepreneurial capability and inculcating a savings habit in them. Other than providing finance on soft and easy terms, the Cell also provides non-financial support by conducting various financial and banking awareness programmes, reaching out to a large number of families through the Bank’s branches in India.
Development Credit Bank has ranked 43rd in terms of Asset Quality in Business India's Best Bank 2004 list.
AKFED has also played a pivotal role in facilitating finance for home ownership by providing instrumental leadership in the launch of the Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC) in the mid 1970s.
As part of the Aga Khan Foundation's Rural Development activities, community organisations work to set up independent means of sustaining themselves, which is usually achieved through micro-credit schemes. For example, a women’s federation in Bharuch district in Gujarat state recently accessed a loan-based scheme for animal husbandry. Likewise, federations of farmers groups have considerably reduced agriculture input costs (seeds, fertilisers and pesticides) through bulk purchases based on demand from member institutions, simultaneously ensuring the quality of inputs supplied.

World Bank Applauds FirstMicroFinanceBank - Pakistan Post Partnership for Poverty Alleviation

2007-10-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

The First MicroFinanceBank Ltd and Pakistan Post signed agreement to work jointly for poverty alleviation on Tuesday making it a landmark initiative in the history of micro finance industry of Pakistan.

This public-private partnership will encourage rapid scaling of quality microfinance services to the very poor population at grassroots in rural and urban Pakistan.

The partnership will also take the MicroFinanceBank services to the poor and vulnerable segments in the remotest of the regions of Pakistan through a network of 4000 offices of the Pakistan Post while leveraging its own branch network of 82 branches by this year end.

It would facilitate disbursement of 20 billion PKR to millions over a short period of 3-5 years. The partnership will take First MicroFinanceBank Ltd closer to the clientele, while Pakistan Post will benefit from optimum utilization and development of resources including human capital.

The World Bank has commended the public private partnership (PPP) plan launched by the government of President General Musharraf for providing more and better public services through improved infrastructure, and has assured to extend its full help and co-operation in the execution of public private partnership projects (PPPP) in Pakistan.

Muslims Thank Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Prime Minister Gordon Brown: Mayor Ken Livingstone > EID in London

2007-10-07T04:44:00.000-07:00

The first ever celebrations in Trafalgar Square to mark the Muslim festival of Eid ul-fitr will take place on Saturday 28 October from 1pm to 5pm. Eid on the Square will include live entertainment, a street bazaar and exhibitions and displays about Islam. It is free and open to all Londoners. For information call 020 7983 4100.

Eid in the Square is being organised by the Muslim Council of Britain London Affairs Committee and the Mayor of London. It is backed by MCB, Islamic Relief and media partners the Islam Channel and Channel S.

Media wishing to attend Eid on the Square should email communitydesk@london.gov.uk. For additional information about the event and to arrange interviews, please contact Inayat Bunglawala, 07956 353 738.

Eid in the Square is one of many cultural events supported by the Mayor that take place throughout the year including Simcha on the Square, Liberty - London's Disability Rights festival, Black History Month, Diwali in Trafalgar Square and the London Mela. For more information visit the GLA website: www.london.gov.uk/gla/events.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Press information is available from Ben McKnight on 020 7983 4071 / Emma Lewis on 020 7983 4066 / Rachelle Laurence on 020 7983 4068 (press only - numbers not for publication). Media wishing to attend please email communitydesk@london.gov.uk.
PUBLIC/NON-MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Call the Public Liaison Unit at the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100

DUTY PRESS OFFICER: For out-of-hours media enquiries, please call 020 7983 4000

London Muslim students to share experiences of further education in new survey < Mountain Girls Education Development Program

2007-10-07T04:13:00.000-07:00

The Mayor of London launched a survey looking at the challenges facing Muslim students in further education.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said: 'London has the most diverse population of any city in the world, and its student population is particularly diverse. London's cosmopolitan nature is its greatest strength and yet some communities can face exclusion that affects many aspects of their lives.

'This survey aims to explore the experiences of Muslim students in London’s Universities and Colleges and is being implemented following representations from Muslim students and the National Union of Students' Black Students campaign. I have been greatly concerned to hear about education inequality issues raised by some of London’s Muslim community.
'I hope that this report will help universities and colleges better understand the particular problems faced by Muslim students and identify factors that support or hinder opportunities to learn.'

The survey is a direct response to issues raised to the Mayor at a series of stakeholder seminars and conferences earlier this year. The research will be used to help identify strategies and approaches that can address the challenges that they face.
The survey will be sent to further and higher education institutions, mosques, community groups, student and youth organisations across London. The deadline for responding to the survey is 15 December 2007.

Notes:

The Office for Public Management (OPM) have been commissioned to conduct the survey which is part of a wider research project engaging with London Muslim students. The research will seek to obtain quantitative data on characteristics of London Muslim students and qualitative information on their experiences.
The results of the survey are due to be published in spring 2008.
The survey can be accessed via the Greater London Authority and OPM websites via the following links: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/equalities/muslim-students.jsp, or http://www.opmsurveys.co.uk/glasurvey/glasurvey.htm.
Related Press ReleasesFirst ever report on Muslims in London published Raising the attainment of Muslim pupils in London Schools Muslim Coalition meets with Department for Education and Skills to discuss understanding of Islam in schools