As Received !!
Mawlana Hazar Imam will be arriving in Pakistan, this Sunday, on December 15th. MHI will arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan for the first leg of his visit to Pakistan, where He will meet with the Govt. Officials.
Hazar Imam will then leave for Karachi, Pakistan to attend the Annual Convocation of Aga Khan University.
Hazar Imam will come over to Islamabad again, before leaving Pakistan.
National Council for Pakistan.
MHI's Visit to Pakistan Dec 2013
From akualumni.net/alma-mater/aku-convocation-2013-karachi-process-for-alumni-invitations/
AKU Convocation 2013 is being organised on Thursday, December 19, 2013 10:30 am at the Cricket field at the Stadium Road campus. This year, the Chancellor of the University is expected to preside over the Convocation at which accomplishments of the Class of 2013 from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Medical College, and Institute for Educational Development will be acknowledged and celebrated.
This year’s Convocation in Karachi has special significance as, in addition to awarding of degrees, the following important milestones will also be commemorated:
- 30th anniversary of the granting of the University’s Charter
- 30th anniversary of the first graduating class of the School of Nursing and Midwifery
- 25th anniversary of the first graduating class of the Medical College
- 20th anniversary of the inauguration of the Institute for Educational Development
As is customary, a limited number of seats have been reserved for alumni at the Convocation.
AKU Convocation 2013 is being organised on Thursday, December 19, 2013 10:30 am at the Cricket field at the Stadium Road campus. This year, the Chancellor of the University is expected to preside over the Convocation at which accomplishments of the Class of 2013 from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Medical College, and Institute for Educational Development will be acknowledged and celebrated.
This year’s Convocation in Karachi has special significance as, in addition to awarding of degrees, the following important milestones will also be commemorated:
- 30th anniversary of the granting of the University’s Charter
- 30th anniversary of the first graduating class of the School of Nursing and Midwifery
- 25th anniversary of the first graduating class of the Medical College
- 20th anniversary of the inauguration of the Institute for Educational Development
As is customary, a limited number of seats have been reserved for alumni at the Convocation.
Video of the arrival (please copy paste link in your browser)
Preview: .app.com.pk/video/preview.php?id=69541
Download: ftp://app:[email protected]/December%20 ... -12-13.mov
APP
PM welcomes Prince Karim Agha Khan; says AKDN model for other
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that the Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a model for other development organizations, as it designs and executes its projects along modern and scientific lines, with focus on improving the quality of life of the beneficiaries. The Prime Minister said this during thee meeting with Prince Karim Agha Khan, who called on him here at the PM House. During the delegation level talks, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan holds great investment opportunities and invited investment in energy sector projects of the country as it will not only help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis, but have a positive impact on the economy by generating activity and employment, increasing revenue generation, and improving the government's ability to deliver services. Discussions on training of manpower and higher education for Pakistani youth also took place. The Prime Minister also apprised Prince Karim Agha Khan about the governance reforms brought by the present government in the Northern Areas of Pakistan including Gilgit-Baltistan, where AKDN is active in development work. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif also appreciated the role of International Diplomatic Academy, which is a prestigious training institution in France headed by Prince Karim Agha Khan. Possibility of providing fully funded scholarships to young Pakistani diplomats at the institution was also discussed. Prince Karim Agha Khan's delegation included Head of Social Welfare Department of AKDN, Princess Zahra Agha, President Agha Khan Foundation Pakistan, Iqbal Walji, Chairman Agha Khan Foundation Pakistan, Badruddin Vellami, President Agha Khan University, Firoz Rasul and Chairman AKCS Pakistan, Akbar Pesanani. Pakistani delegation included Minister for Finance, Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, Advisor to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM, Tariq Fatemi. The Prime Minister also welcomed Princess Zahra Agha Khan and said that she has a very important responsibility as the Head of the Social Welfare Department of Agha Khan Secretariat. Later, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner in honor of Prince Karim Agha Khan and Princess Zahra Agha Khan at PM House. APP/Zaheer
Category:
NATIONAL
Date:
2013-12-16 20:03:48
Preview: .app.com.pk/video/preview.php?id=69541
Download: ftp://app:[email protected]/December%20 ... -12-13.mov
APP
PM welcomes Prince Karim Agha Khan; says AKDN model for other
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that the Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a model for other development organizations, as it designs and executes its projects along modern and scientific lines, with focus on improving the quality of life of the beneficiaries. The Prime Minister said this during thee meeting with Prince Karim Agha Khan, who called on him here at the PM House. During the delegation level talks, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan holds great investment opportunities and invited investment in energy sector projects of the country as it will not only help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis, but have a positive impact on the economy by generating activity and employment, increasing revenue generation, and improving the government's ability to deliver services. Discussions on training of manpower and higher education for Pakistani youth also took place. The Prime Minister also apprised Prince Karim Agha Khan about the governance reforms brought by the present government in the Northern Areas of Pakistan including Gilgit-Baltistan, where AKDN is active in development work. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif also appreciated the role of International Diplomatic Academy, which is a prestigious training institution in France headed by Prince Karim Agha Khan. Possibility of providing fully funded scholarships to young Pakistani diplomats at the institution was also discussed. Prince Karim Agha Khan's delegation included Head of Social Welfare Department of AKDN, Princess Zahra Agha, President Agha Khan Foundation Pakistan, Iqbal Walji, Chairman Agha Khan Foundation Pakistan, Badruddin Vellami, President Agha Khan University, Firoz Rasul and Chairman AKCS Pakistan, Akbar Pesanani. Pakistani delegation included Minister for Finance, Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, Advisor to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM, Tariq Fatemi. The Prime Minister also welcomed Princess Zahra Agha Khan and said that she has a very important responsibility as the Head of the Social Welfare Department of Agha Khan Secretariat. Later, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner in honor of Prince Karim Agha Khan and Princess Zahra Agha Khan at PM House. APP/Zaheer
Category:
NATIONAL
Date:
2013-12-16 20:03:48
Last edited by Admin on Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
thenews.com.pk/article-130580-President-Mamnoon-lauds-social-services-of-Prince-Karim-Agha-Khan
President Mamnoon lauds social services of Prince Karim Agha Khan
December 16, 2013 - Updated 1944 PKT
From Web Edition
16 2 0 1
[President Mamnoon lauds social services of Prince Karim Agha Khan]
ISLAMABAD: The spiritual leader of the Ismaili community Prince Karim Aga Khan, Monday called on President Mamnoon Hussain at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Welcoming Prince Karim Aga Khan, the President appreciated the services of Prince Karim Aga Khan across the world particularly for the people of Pakistan in education and health sectors, poverty eradication, and socio-economic uplift of the poor. The President lauded the continued support of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Aga Khan Foundation in taking lead in a number of important social sector projects, especially in Northern Areas of Pakistan and said that Aga Khan network’s continued engagement in Gilgit Baltistan was making positive impacts on lives of the people and infrastructure in the area.
The President assured that the government will continue to work with the Aga Khan foundation for poverty alleviation and other social welfare and economic activities. He said that government was keen to exploit the economic potential of Gilgit –Baltistan especially the energy and natural resources for the prosperity of the people of the area and the entire Pakistan.
The President wished Prince Karim Aga Khan long life, good health and prosperity. Prince Karim Aga Khan thanked the President and government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality and appreciated the government efforts for the socio economic development of its people. He also assured continued support of his network to the government and people of Pakistan and said that various projects being undertaken under the Aga Khan foundation for the socio- economic uplift of the people of northern areas of Pakistan will be vigorously pursued and completed in time.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was accompanied by his daughter Zahra Karim Aga Khan, Sultan Ali Allana, Iqbal Walji and Amyn Kassim-Lakha. From Pakistan Side, the meeting was attended by Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Nadeem Hassan Asif, Secretary to the President, Ahmad Farooq, Additional Secretary, Tasnim Aslam, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saba Mohsin Raza, Press Secretary to the President.
President Mamnoon lauds social services of Prince Karim Agha Khan
December 16, 2013 - Updated 1944 PKT
From Web Edition
16 2 0 1
[President Mamnoon lauds social services of Prince Karim Agha Khan]
ISLAMABAD: The spiritual leader of the Ismaili community Prince Karim Aga Khan, Monday called on President Mamnoon Hussain at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Welcoming Prince Karim Aga Khan, the President appreciated the services of Prince Karim Aga Khan across the world particularly for the people of Pakistan in education and health sectors, poverty eradication, and socio-economic uplift of the poor. The President lauded the continued support of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Aga Khan Foundation in taking lead in a number of important social sector projects, especially in Northern Areas of Pakistan and said that Aga Khan network’s continued engagement in Gilgit Baltistan was making positive impacts on lives of the people and infrastructure in the area.
The President assured that the government will continue to work with the Aga Khan foundation for poverty alleviation and other social welfare and economic activities. He said that government was keen to exploit the economic potential of Gilgit –Baltistan especially the energy and natural resources for the prosperity of the people of the area and the entire Pakistan.
The President wished Prince Karim Aga Khan long life, good health and prosperity. Prince Karim Aga Khan thanked the President and government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality and appreciated the government efforts for the socio economic development of its people. He also assured continued support of his network to the government and people of Pakistan and said that various projects being undertaken under the Aga Khan foundation for the socio- economic uplift of the people of northern areas of Pakistan will be vigorously pursued and completed in time.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was accompanied by his daughter Zahra Karim Aga Khan, Sultan Ali Allana, Iqbal Walji and Amyn Kassim-Lakha. From Pakistan Side, the meeting was attended by Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Nadeem Hassan Asif, Secretary to the President, Ahmad Farooq, Additional Secretary, Tasnim Aslam, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saba Mohsin Raza, Press Secretary to the President.
Associated Press
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Finance Minister calls on Prince Karim Aga Khan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): Finance Mister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on Prince Karim Aga Khan Monday and briefed him about the state of economy and the measures taken by the government to redress macro-economic imbalances inherited by the present PML-N Government. Welcoming Prince Karim Aga Khan to Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that the government and the people of Pakistan acknowledge the contributions of His Highness in the social sector with particular reference to Pakistan. Prince Karim Aga Khan expressed satisfaction over the work being done by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan and expressed a keen desire to expand their operations in Pakistan. Islam, His Highness said, teaches to work honorably, earn and share it with the people.
Senator Ishaq Dar briefed His Highness that the PML-N government hadinherited an economy with severe macro-economic imbalances and apprised him of the measures taken by the PML-N Government to address them so that the economy could be revived and put on a path of sustainable growth.
The Finance Minister said that the medium term economic frame work of thePML-N Government envisages a decrease in the fiscal deficit from 8 to 4%, increase in growth rate from the present 3% to 7% by the end of next three years, increase in investment to GDP ratio to 20% and building up of foreign exchangereserves to $20 billion.
In this connection he recounted the measures taken in the budget, clearance of circular debt and the conclusion of a programme with IMF which he said have started showing results as the business community has responded positively and the results of the first quarter have been encouraging.
Besides an increase of 25% in KSE index reflects the confidence of investors in the policies of the government, he added.
The Finance Minister said that the International Financial Institutions have now started approaching Pakistan and expressed the confidence that foreign exchange reserve position would improve soon.
The Finance Minister said that the PML-N Government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is committed to good governance, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption, merit and maintenance of strict financial discipline.
Prince Karim Aga Khan appreciated the PML-N government for increasing theallocation for social safety net from Rs.40 billion to Rs.75 billion.
The Finance Minister said that the government has initiated the Prime Minister Youth Programme. Presently National Bank of Pakistan and the First Women Bank are participating in the programme. The government, he said, was ready to extend similar conditions to Habib Bank Limited.
Prince Karim Aga Khan said that small and medium enterprises have criticalrole in the economy and welcomed the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and that he would direct Habib Bank Limited to prepare a feasibility.
The Finance Minister also drew the attention of His Highness to the auctionof spectrum license by the Government of Pakistan and hoped that Agha Khan Network would participate.
The Finance Minister said that the PML-N government is working on differentprojects to add quantum generation into the National Grid and invited Aga Khan to invest in the energy sector especially in the hydel generation as the River Indus has the potential of generating 90,000MW of electricity.
The Finance Minister also requested His Highness to diversify theinvestment of AKDN in Pakistan and look into Public Sector Entities which the government intends to disinvest in future.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Finance Minister calls on Prince Karim Aga Khan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): Finance Mister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on Prince Karim Aga Khan Monday and briefed him about the state of economy and the measures taken by the government to redress macro-economic imbalances inherited by the present PML-N Government. Welcoming Prince Karim Aga Khan to Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that the government and the people of Pakistan acknowledge the contributions of His Highness in the social sector with particular reference to Pakistan. Prince Karim Aga Khan expressed satisfaction over the work being done by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan and expressed a keen desire to expand their operations in Pakistan. Islam, His Highness said, teaches to work honorably, earn and share it with the people.
Senator Ishaq Dar briefed His Highness that the PML-N government hadinherited an economy with severe macro-economic imbalances and apprised him of the measures taken by the PML-N Government to address them so that the economy could be revived and put on a path of sustainable growth.
The Finance Minister said that the medium term economic frame work of thePML-N Government envisages a decrease in the fiscal deficit from 8 to 4%, increase in growth rate from the present 3% to 7% by the end of next three years, increase in investment to GDP ratio to 20% and building up of foreign exchangereserves to $20 billion.
In this connection he recounted the measures taken in the budget, clearance of circular debt and the conclusion of a programme with IMF which he said have started showing results as the business community has responded positively and the results of the first quarter have been encouraging.
Besides an increase of 25% in KSE index reflects the confidence of investors in the policies of the government, he added.
The Finance Minister said that the International Financial Institutions have now started approaching Pakistan and expressed the confidence that foreign exchange reserve position would improve soon.
The Finance Minister said that the PML-N Government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is committed to good governance, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption, merit and maintenance of strict financial discipline.
Prince Karim Aga Khan appreciated the PML-N government for increasing theallocation for social safety net from Rs.40 billion to Rs.75 billion.
The Finance Minister said that the government has initiated the Prime Minister Youth Programme. Presently National Bank of Pakistan and the First Women Bank are participating in the programme. The government, he said, was ready to extend similar conditions to Habib Bank Limited.
Prince Karim Aga Khan said that small and medium enterprises have criticalrole in the economy and welcomed the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and that he would direct Habib Bank Limited to prepare a feasibility.
The Finance Minister also drew the attention of His Highness to the auctionof spectrum license by the Government of Pakistan and hoped that Agha Khan Network would participate.
The Finance Minister said that the PML-N government is working on differentprojects to add quantum generation into the National Grid and invited Aga Khan to invest in the energy sector especially in the hydel generation as the River Indus has the potential of generating 90,000MW of electricity.
The Finance Minister also requested His Highness to diversify theinvestment of AKDN in Pakistan and look into Public Sector Entities which the government intends to disinvest in future.
News Video here (please copy paste in your browser)
dailymotion.com/video/x18hv2m_nawaz-sharif-meets-with-prince-karim-aga-khan_news
dailymotion.com/video/x18hv2m_nawaz-sharif-meets-with-prince-karim-aga-khan_news
Last edited by Admin on Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Source: pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=227077
Dar asks Aga Khan to diversify investment in Pakistan
Tuesday, December 17, 2013 - Islamabad—The Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan Monday and briefed him about the state of economy and the measures taken by the government to redress macro-economic imbalances inherited by the present PML-N Government. Welcoming His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan to Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that the government and the people of Pakistan acknowledge the contributions of His Highness in the social sector with particular reference to Pakistan.
His Highness expressed satisfaction over the work being done by the Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan and expressed a keen desire to expand their operations in Pakistan. Islam, His Highness said, teaches to work honorably, earn and share it with the people. The Finance Minister briefed His Highness that the PML-N government had inherited an economy with severe macro-economic imbalances and apprised him of the measures taken by the PML-N Government to address them so that the economy could be revived and put on a path of sustainable growth.
The Finance Minister said that the medium term economic frame work of the PML – N Government envisages a decrease in the fiscal deficit from 8 to 4%, increase in growth rate from the present 3% to 7% by the end of next three years, increase in investment to GDP ratio to 20% and building up of foreign exchange reserves to $20 billion. In this connection he recounted the measures taken in the budget, clearance of circular debt and the conclusion of a programme with IMF which he said have started showing results as the business community has responded positively and the results of the first quarter have been encouraging. Besides an increase of 25% in KSE index reflects the confidence of investors in the policies of the government, he added.
The Finance Minister said that the International Financial Institutions have now started approaching Pakistan and expressed the confidence that foreign exchange reserve position would improve soon. He said that the PML-N Government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is committed to good governance, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption, merit and maintenance of strict financial discipline. Prince Karim Agha Khan appreciated the PML-N Government for increasing the allocation for social safety net from Rs.40 billion to Rs.75 billion.
The Finance Minister said that the government has initiated the Prime Minister Youth Programme. Presently National Bank of Pakistan and the First Women Bank are participating in the programme. The government, he said, was ready to extend similar conditions to Habib Bank Limited.—INP
Dar asks Aga Khan to diversify investment in Pakistan
Tuesday, December 17, 2013 - Islamabad—The Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan Monday and briefed him about the state of economy and the measures taken by the government to redress macro-economic imbalances inherited by the present PML-N Government. Welcoming His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan to Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that the government and the people of Pakistan acknowledge the contributions of His Highness in the social sector with particular reference to Pakistan.
His Highness expressed satisfaction over the work being done by the Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan and expressed a keen desire to expand their operations in Pakistan. Islam, His Highness said, teaches to work honorably, earn and share it with the people. The Finance Minister briefed His Highness that the PML-N government had inherited an economy with severe macro-economic imbalances and apprised him of the measures taken by the PML-N Government to address them so that the economy could be revived and put on a path of sustainable growth.
The Finance Minister said that the medium term economic frame work of the PML – N Government envisages a decrease in the fiscal deficit from 8 to 4%, increase in growth rate from the present 3% to 7% by the end of next three years, increase in investment to GDP ratio to 20% and building up of foreign exchange reserves to $20 billion. In this connection he recounted the measures taken in the budget, clearance of circular debt and the conclusion of a programme with IMF which he said have started showing results as the business community has responded positively and the results of the first quarter have been encouraging. Besides an increase of 25% in KSE index reflects the confidence of investors in the policies of the government, he added.
The Finance Minister said that the International Financial Institutions have now started approaching Pakistan and expressed the confidence that foreign exchange reserve position would improve soon. He said that the PML-N Government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is committed to good governance, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption, merit and maintenance of strict financial discipline. Prince Karim Agha Khan appreciated the PML-N Government for increasing the allocation for social safety net from Rs.40 billion to Rs.75 billion.
The Finance Minister said that the government has initiated the Prime Minister Youth Programme. Presently National Bank of Pakistan and the First Women Bank are participating in the programme. The government, he said, was ready to extend similar conditions to Habib Bank Limited.—INP
The News
Aga Khan IV: A visionary philanthropist and passionate champion of Muslim heritage
Aysha Jamal
Thursday, December 19, 2013
From Print Edition
“In Islam, the Holy Quran offers explicit direction to share resources beyond one’s requirements, and to care for the poor and those in need.”
These are the words of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Aga Khan IV and spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, upon receiving the Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy in 2005.
The Canergie Medal is just one of many awards and decorations the Aga Khan has received from countries all over the Globe in recognition of his development work. Although he is often accorded the protocol due to a Head of State and enjoys the influence of a statesman, Aga Khan IV has eschewed politics in favour of development and the preservation and revival of Muslim Cultural Heritage. During his time as Imam he has built institutions that assist not only Ismailis but deprived communities worldwide.
Aga Khan IV was born in Geneva on December 13th 1936. He is the son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan and spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya. He attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland and then continued to Harvard University where he studied Islamic History. He is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. At the age of 21 he assumed the office of Imamat, upon the death of this grandfather Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
Prince Karim Aga Khan is a progressive paradox. He is a liberal, urbane Muslim leader in a time when polarized schools of thought dominate the media. Yet his deeply intellectual speeches show strength of faith, a determination to adhere to the principles of Islam and fierce pride in Islamic heritage.
In a Convocation Address at the University of Peshawar in 1967, for example, he discussed the importance of traditional values, how in their endeavour for material good, Muslims should not forsake their responsibilities to the poor, the orphan, the traveller, or the single woman; nor should they neglect their duty of submission to the Creator: “The day we no longer know how, nor have the time nor the faith to bow in prayer to Allah because the human soul, that He has told us is eternal, is no longer of sufficient importance to us to be worthy of an hour of our daily working, profit-seeking time, will be a sunless day of despair.”
He articulates a more tolerant version of Islam in an age when Islam is much maligned and misunderstood. He shows how the principles of pluralism and assisting social development are rooted in Islam and puts these principles into action. He evinces great pride in Muslim heritage and has worked to preserve and revive Muslim cultural heritage in diverse areas of the world.
Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Aga Khan has tackled the age-old problems of poverty and deprivation with innovative approaches and notable success for over 50 years. Communities all over the world, from Gilgit in Pakistan to Timbuktu in Africa have benefited from the programs of the AKDN, no matter what their faith, race or gender.
Over the years AKDN has developed effective programs that have been replicated by both NGOs and governments. The AKDN has a reputation for integrity, fairness and of working to the highest international standards. This has enabled it to enter into collaborations with both governments and large international institutions, bringing an enhanced level of expertise and funding to its projects.
A recent example of this is The French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC). This not-for-profit hospital in Kabul is dedicated to providing world-class medical services and improving access to quality healthcare in Afghanistan. The hospital is run through an innovative four-way partnership between the Government of Afghanistan, the Government of France, the Aga Khan Development Network and the French NGO, La Chaîne de l’Espoir, with Aga Khan University managing FMIC on behalf of AKDN.
The hospital is deeply involved in training local doctors and nurses to international standards and is a center for referral throughout the region. The generous welfare program ensures that no one is turned away because of an in ability to pay. Since 2006 over 200,000 patients have benefitted from the welfare program regardless of the religion or ethnic background. Moreover FMIC has introduced a groundbreaking eHealthcare program that uses technology to bring improved healthcare to remote regions. Patients who are physically unable to get to FMIC from faraway areas can benefit from tele-consultations and tele-radiology and pathology analysis.
A key player in the success of FMIC is the Aga Khan University. AKU is one of Pakistan’s foremost institutions and the Aga Khan University Hospital has revolutionized healthcare in Pakistan. Not only has it brought world-class healthcare to Pakistan, AKUs Faculty of Medical Sciences has educated countless nurses and doctors. The hospital’s Welfare program ensures that poverty doesn’t prevent those in need from getting top class care.
The Hospital and primary medical centres are part of the Aga Khan Health Services, which is one of the most comprehensive private not-for-profit health care systems in the developing world. In Pakistan, its 164 health centres, seven hospitals, maternity home, two medical centres, physiotherapy unit and seven community dental units reach over 581,000 people in rural and urban Sindh, Punjab and Frontier, Northern Areas and Chitral. Aga Khan Hospital Services (AKHS) now provides primary health care and curative medical care in India, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Syria. It includes five general hospitals, seven maternity homes/hospitals and 187 health centres/dispensaries.
Education is another of the Aga Khan’s passions. It is an area that has been traditionally emphasized by Ismaili Imams. The Fatimid Caliphs founded Al-Azhar University in Cairo. In more recent times, Prince Karim’s grandfather Aga Khan III set up the Diamond Jubilee Schools in India, Pakistan and Africa and emphasized the importance of education, particularly for women. Prince Karim Aga Khan chose Pakistan as the base for the Aga Khan University. Chartered in 1983, AKU is Pakistan’s first private international university. With academic programmes in Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom, Syria and Afghanistan, AKU has now established itself as an international institution with ten sites in seven countries.
Meanwhile the AKDN spearheaded the rebuilding of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the legendary ancient library built in classical Greek times. The rebuilding of the library has returned Alexandria to its former status as a centre for learning and exchange and provided the city with a landmark building.
Away from the realms of higher education, Aga Khan Education Services Pakistan provides access to schooling for 75,000 students, operating 186 schools and four hostels across Pakistan. In East Africa, the Madaresa Pre-School Programme helps indigenous Sunni Muslim African communities, amongst the most marginalized in the region. It provides a mode of early childhood education that is rooted in their culture and tradition but also incorporates educational activities that help their children enter into mainstream education.
Another crucial area that the Aga Khan has focused on during his Imamat is the preservation of Muslim heritage. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the most lucrative Architecture Awards in the world, grew from a realization that traditional Islamic architecture was disappearing in the face of modernization. The award was announced at the Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore in 1976. On October 23rd 1980, when the first award was awarded in the Shalimar Gardens Lahore, few new buildings and spaces in the Muslim world remained true to the architectural traditions of the Islamic world and a key part of Muslim heritage was in danger of being lost. Nowadays, largely thanks to the impetus provided by the Award, the best architecture in the Islamic world once again reflects its traditional roots.
AKDN has also overseen the restoration of Muslim heritage sites all over the world. It won a 2011 UNESCO Award for Culture Heritage Conservation for its restoration of the 900 year old Altit Fort in Pakistan. In Timbuktu, Mali His Highness recently restored the mud walls of the 14th-century Djingereyber Mosque, the oldest earthen building in sub-Saharan Africa. Most spectacularly, a 32 acre dumping ground in Cairo was transformed into one of the beautiful parks in the world, which attracts over 2 million visitors a year.
The story of Al-Azhar park in Cairo is fascinating. For as far as people could remember it was a foul smelling rubbish tip. Adjacent to it was a slum – in and around dilapidated historic buildings of the Darb al Ahmar area over 200,000 people lived in abject poverty. Seeing the rubbish tip during a visit to Cairo in 1984 the Aga Khan offered to turn the 32-acre dump into a spectacular green park at a gift to the city of Cairo. A major social development project was also launched to regenerate the Darb Al Ahmar area. Local residents were trained in restoration skills and 200 of them are still employed at the site. The reconstruction work revealed important archeological finds. Ancient walls, gates, 6 historic mosques and dozens of houses and palaces were discovered and restored during the course of the project. Simultaneously neighbourhood health and education services were launched, along with a micro-credit program. Though initially all the inhabitants were squatters, now a 24% have title to their properties. Literacy rates have gone up by a quarter while family earnings increased one-third faster than in the whole of Old Cairo. Meanwhile in 2005, work on the park was completed and Al-Azhar park was opened to the public. It is a remarkable space, based on historic Islamic gardens, with an appealing blend of modern and traditional elements. It features bustan-like orchards, formal terraced gardens, sunken gardens and intersecting waterways. Bold Islamic geometry and Fatimid archways complement shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) while Persian and Tirmud influences also abound. Fountains and scenic outlooks are a major feature of the park, which also includes a children’s playground, cafes and other amenities. The beautiful park has transformed Cairo which was previously almost without public green spaces.
As well as being a showcase for the tradition of Islamic gardens, Al-Azhar Park also provides employment for the community around it, both directly and indirectly. It also generates a surplus of $800,000 a year from entrance fees, parking fees, retail sales and licence fees for special events. This surplus is reinvested in the same area to ensure long-term sustainability.
In his speech to the UNESCO Conference on Culture and Development in Hangzhou, China, the Aga Khan explained his theory of how restoring cultural heritage sites can be used as a catalyst for development. As well as focusing on Al-Azhar park, he described his experience in Northern Pakistan, "Some of our most interesting work and challenges have come in the high mountain valleys of Northern Pakistan. The cultural lynchpin has been the restoration and repurposing of historic forts and palaces, watchtowers and mosques, homes and markets – expanding jobs and diversifying the economy. As you know, the mountain terrain not only separates Northern Pakistan from neighbouring regions, but it also isolates communities of each valley, one from the other. And yet, as word of the restorations spread, people of other villages began to ask, “How can we share in this work?” It was a heartening example of regional cohesion growing out of cultural diversity.”
One of the innovative aspects of AKDN’s work that has been replicated time and again is community participation. Communities are encouraged and assisted to be a central part of the development process. Development is treated as a multi-faceted goal and areas as diverse as healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure and income generation are targeted simultaneously. AKDN has never been about short-term handouts that will fill stomachs today and leave them empty tomorrow. Their long-term approach aims to regenerate deprived areas and make them self-sufficient. Many communities that received AKDN support now have well educated communities that have achieved substantial cash savings. These communities are no longer dependent on outside support and can fund their own schools, health centers and other development projects. They have learned to respect and utilize their cultural heritage and their environment, whether it be through tourism or planting orchards.
AKDN has also benefited enormously from the support of the Ismaili community with its tradition of philanthropy, voluntary service and self-reliance, and the leadership and material underwriting of the hereditary Imam and Imamat resources. Despite this it firmly remains a non-demoninational institution, helping all those in need regardless of race, religion or gender.
Another major strength of the Aga Khan’s institutions is their reputation for integrity. No matter which country they are in, no matter what the cultural norms, they will neither give nor take bribes nor will they engage in unethical practices. In an address by His Highness the Aga Khan to the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University (New York, USA) he discussed the importance of integrity, explaining how public integrity is the responsibility of every individual, whether they are a labourer, teacher, lawyer or politician.
“Let me finally emphasize my strong conviction that public integrity cannot grow out of authoritarian pronouncements. It must be rooted in the human heart and conscience. As the Holy Quran says: “There is no compulsion in religion”. The resurgence of spirituality – potentially such a positive force – can become a negative influence when it turns into self-righteousness and imposes itself on others. Like all of the world’s great religions, Islam warns against the danger of comparing oneself with God, and places primary emphasis on the qualities of generosity, mercy and humility.”
As spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and as head of one of the most successful development networks in the world, Aga Khan IV has made a significant impact during his time as Imam. The Aga Khan University and its Hospital are centers of learning and excellence. Hundreds of thousands of patients have benefited from the facilities and welfare programs provided by the hospital. Doctors and nurses trained by the University are to be found in countries as diverse as Kenya and Canada. Development projects from Mali to Delhi have provided communities with the skills and resources to be self-reliant. New Architecture in the Muslim world once more reflects its Islamic heritage. The Al Azhar Park provides Cairo with a beautiful heirloom that reflects the best traditions of Islamic gardens. Historic mosques and other heritage sites have been restored in diverse areas of the world. His commitment to integrity, tolerance, pluralism and the ethics of Islam are inspiring. Thus far the Aga Khan’s legacy tells the complex story of a Muslim leader who is comfortable in the contemporary world; one who can embrace the benefits of the modern world while remaining loyal to his Islamic roots.
Aga Khan IV: A visionary philanthropist and passionate champion of Muslim heritage
Aysha Jamal
Thursday, December 19, 2013
From Print Edition
“In Islam, the Holy Quran offers explicit direction to share resources beyond one’s requirements, and to care for the poor and those in need.”
These are the words of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Aga Khan IV and spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, upon receiving the Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy in 2005.
The Canergie Medal is just one of many awards and decorations the Aga Khan has received from countries all over the Globe in recognition of his development work. Although he is often accorded the protocol due to a Head of State and enjoys the influence of a statesman, Aga Khan IV has eschewed politics in favour of development and the preservation and revival of Muslim Cultural Heritage. During his time as Imam he has built institutions that assist not only Ismailis but deprived communities worldwide.
Aga Khan IV was born in Geneva on December 13th 1936. He is the son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan and spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya. He attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland and then continued to Harvard University where he studied Islamic History. He is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. At the age of 21 he assumed the office of Imamat, upon the death of this grandfather Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
Prince Karim Aga Khan is a progressive paradox. He is a liberal, urbane Muslim leader in a time when polarized schools of thought dominate the media. Yet his deeply intellectual speeches show strength of faith, a determination to adhere to the principles of Islam and fierce pride in Islamic heritage.
In a Convocation Address at the University of Peshawar in 1967, for example, he discussed the importance of traditional values, how in their endeavour for material good, Muslims should not forsake their responsibilities to the poor, the orphan, the traveller, or the single woman; nor should they neglect their duty of submission to the Creator: “The day we no longer know how, nor have the time nor the faith to bow in prayer to Allah because the human soul, that He has told us is eternal, is no longer of sufficient importance to us to be worthy of an hour of our daily working, profit-seeking time, will be a sunless day of despair.”
He articulates a more tolerant version of Islam in an age when Islam is much maligned and misunderstood. He shows how the principles of pluralism and assisting social development are rooted in Islam and puts these principles into action. He evinces great pride in Muslim heritage and has worked to preserve and revive Muslim cultural heritage in diverse areas of the world.
Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Aga Khan has tackled the age-old problems of poverty and deprivation with innovative approaches and notable success for over 50 years. Communities all over the world, from Gilgit in Pakistan to Timbuktu in Africa have benefited from the programs of the AKDN, no matter what their faith, race or gender.
Over the years AKDN has developed effective programs that have been replicated by both NGOs and governments. The AKDN has a reputation for integrity, fairness and of working to the highest international standards. This has enabled it to enter into collaborations with both governments and large international institutions, bringing an enhanced level of expertise and funding to its projects.
A recent example of this is The French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC). This not-for-profit hospital in Kabul is dedicated to providing world-class medical services and improving access to quality healthcare in Afghanistan. The hospital is run through an innovative four-way partnership between the Government of Afghanistan, the Government of France, the Aga Khan Development Network and the French NGO, La Chaîne de l’Espoir, with Aga Khan University managing FMIC on behalf of AKDN.
The hospital is deeply involved in training local doctors and nurses to international standards and is a center for referral throughout the region. The generous welfare program ensures that no one is turned away because of an in ability to pay. Since 2006 over 200,000 patients have benefitted from the welfare program regardless of the religion or ethnic background. Moreover FMIC has introduced a groundbreaking eHealthcare program that uses technology to bring improved healthcare to remote regions. Patients who are physically unable to get to FMIC from faraway areas can benefit from tele-consultations and tele-radiology and pathology analysis.
A key player in the success of FMIC is the Aga Khan University. AKU is one of Pakistan’s foremost institutions and the Aga Khan University Hospital has revolutionized healthcare in Pakistan. Not only has it brought world-class healthcare to Pakistan, AKUs Faculty of Medical Sciences has educated countless nurses and doctors. The hospital’s Welfare program ensures that poverty doesn’t prevent those in need from getting top class care.
The Hospital and primary medical centres are part of the Aga Khan Health Services, which is one of the most comprehensive private not-for-profit health care systems in the developing world. In Pakistan, its 164 health centres, seven hospitals, maternity home, two medical centres, physiotherapy unit and seven community dental units reach over 581,000 people in rural and urban Sindh, Punjab and Frontier, Northern Areas and Chitral. Aga Khan Hospital Services (AKHS) now provides primary health care and curative medical care in India, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Syria. It includes five general hospitals, seven maternity homes/hospitals and 187 health centres/dispensaries.
Education is another of the Aga Khan’s passions. It is an area that has been traditionally emphasized by Ismaili Imams. The Fatimid Caliphs founded Al-Azhar University in Cairo. In more recent times, Prince Karim’s grandfather Aga Khan III set up the Diamond Jubilee Schools in India, Pakistan and Africa and emphasized the importance of education, particularly for women. Prince Karim Aga Khan chose Pakistan as the base for the Aga Khan University. Chartered in 1983, AKU is Pakistan’s first private international university. With academic programmes in Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom, Syria and Afghanistan, AKU has now established itself as an international institution with ten sites in seven countries.
Meanwhile the AKDN spearheaded the rebuilding of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the legendary ancient library built in classical Greek times. The rebuilding of the library has returned Alexandria to its former status as a centre for learning and exchange and provided the city with a landmark building.
Away from the realms of higher education, Aga Khan Education Services Pakistan provides access to schooling for 75,000 students, operating 186 schools and four hostels across Pakistan. In East Africa, the Madaresa Pre-School Programme helps indigenous Sunni Muslim African communities, amongst the most marginalized in the region. It provides a mode of early childhood education that is rooted in their culture and tradition but also incorporates educational activities that help their children enter into mainstream education.
Another crucial area that the Aga Khan has focused on during his Imamat is the preservation of Muslim heritage. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the most lucrative Architecture Awards in the world, grew from a realization that traditional Islamic architecture was disappearing in the face of modernization. The award was announced at the Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore in 1976. On October 23rd 1980, when the first award was awarded in the Shalimar Gardens Lahore, few new buildings and spaces in the Muslim world remained true to the architectural traditions of the Islamic world and a key part of Muslim heritage was in danger of being lost. Nowadays, largely thanks to the impetus provided by the Award, the best architecture in the Islamic world once again reflects its traditional roots.
AKDN has also overseen the restoration of Muslim heritage sites all over the world. It won a 2011 UNESCO Award for Culture Heritage Conservation for its restoration of the 900 year old Altit Fort in Pakistan. In Timbuktu, Mali His Highness recently restored the mud walls of the 14th-century Djingereyber Mosque, the oldest earthen building in sub-Saharan Africa. Most spectacularly, a 32 acre dumping ground in Cairo was transformed into one of the beautiful parks in the world, which attracts over 2 million visitors a year.
The story of Al-Azhar park in Cairo is fascinating. For as far as people could remember it was a foul smelling rubbish tip. Adjacent to it was a slum – in and around dilapidated historic buildings of the Darb al Ahmar area over 200,000 people lived in abject poverty. Seeing the rubbish tip during a visit to Cairo in 1984 the Aga Khan offered to turn the 32-acre dump into a spectacular green park at a gift to the city of Cairo. A major social development project was also launched to regenerate the Darb Al Ahmar area. Local residents were trained in restoration skills and 200 of them are still employed at the site. The reconstruction work revealed important archeological finds. Ancient walls, gates, 6 historic mosques and dozens of houses and palaces were discovered and restored during the course of the project. Simultaneously neighbourhood health and education services were launched, along with a micro-credit program. Though initially all the inhabitants were squatters, now a 24% have title to their properties. Literacy rates have gone up by a quarter while family earnings increased one-third faster than in the whole of Old Cairo. Meanwhile in 2005, work on the park was completed and Al-Azhar park was opened to the public. It is a remarkable space, based on historic Islamic gardens, with an appealing blend of modern and traditional elements. It features bustan-like orchards, formal terraced gardens, sunken gardens and intersecting waterways. Bold Islamic geometry and Fatimid archways complement shaded sitting areas (takhtaboush) while Persian and Tirmud influences also abound. Fountains and scenic outlooks are a major feature of the park, which also includes a children’s playground, cafes and other amenities. The beautiful park has transformed Cairo which was previously almost without public green spaces.
As well as being a showcase for the tradition of Islamic gardens, Al-Azhar Park also provides employment for the community around it, both directly and indirectly. It also generates a surplus of $800,000 a year from entrance fees, parking fees, retail sales and licence fees for special events. This surplus is reinvested in the same area to ensure long-term sustainability.
In his speech to the UNESCO Conference on Culture and Development in Hangzhou, China, the Aga Khan explained his theory of how restoring cultural heritage sites can be used as a catalyst for development. As well as focusing on Al-Azhar park, he described his experience in Northern Pakistan, "Some of our most interesting work and challenges have come in the high mountain valleys of Northern Pakistan. The cultural lynchpin has been the restoration and repurposing of historic forts and palaces, watchtowers and mosques, homes and markets – expanding jobs and diversifying the economy. As you know, the mountain terrain not only separates Northern Pakistan from neighbouring regions, but it also isolates communities of each valley, one from the other. And yet, as word of the restorations spread, people of other villages began to ask, “How can we share in this work?” It was a heartening example of regional cohesion growing out of cultural diversity.”
One of the innovative aspects of AKDN’s work that has been replicated time and again is community participation. Communities are encouraged and assisted to be a central part of the development process. Development is treated as a multi-faceted goal and areas as diverse as healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure and income generation are targeted simultaneously. AKDN has never been about short-term handouts that will fill stomachs today and leave them empty tomorrow. Their long-term approach aims to regenerate deprived areas and make them self-sufficient. Many communities that received AKDN support now have well educated communities that have achieved substantial cash savings. These communities are no longer dependent on outside support and can fund their own schools, health centers and other development projects. They have learned to respect and utilize their cultural heritage and their environment, whether it be through tourism or planting orchards.
AKDN has also benefited enormously from the support of the Ismaili community with its tradition of philanthropy, voluntary service and self-reliance, and the leadership and material underwriting of the hereditary Imam and Imamat resources. Despite this it firmly remains a non-demoninational institution, helping all those in need regardless of race, religion or gender.
Another major strength of the Aga Khan’s institutions is their reputation for integrity. No matter which country they are in, no matter what the cultural norms, they will neither give nor take bribes nor will they engage in unethical practices. In an address by His Highness the Aga Khan to the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University (New York, USA) he discussed the importance of integrity, explaining how public integrity is the responsibility of every individual, whether they are a labourer, teacher, lawyer or politician.
“Let me finally emphasize my strong conviction that public integrity cannot grow out of authoritarian pronouncements. It must be rooted in the human heart and conscience. As the Holy Quran says: “There is no compulsion in religion”. The resurgence of spirituality – potentially such a positive force – can become a negative influence when it turns into self-righteousness and imposes itself on others. Like all of the world’s great religions, Islam warns against the danger of comparing oneself with God, and places primary emphasis on the qualities of generosity, mercy and humility.”
As spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and as head of one of the most successful development networks in the world, Aga Khan IV has made a significant impact during his time as Imam. The Aga Khan University and its Hospital are centers of learning and excellence. Hundreds of thousands of patients have benefited from the facilities and welfare programs provided by the hospital. Doctors and nurses trained by the University are to be found in countries as diverse as Kenya and Canada. Development projects from Mali to Delhi have provided communities with the skills and resources to be self-reliant. New Architecture in the Muslim world once more reflects its Islamic heritage. The Al Azhar Park provides Cairo with a beautiful heirloom that reflects the best traditions of Islamic gardens. Historic mosques and other heritage sites have been restored in diverse areas of the world. His commitment to integrity, tolerance, pluralism and the ethics of Islam are inspiring. Thus far the Aga Khan’s legacy tells the complex story of a Muslim leader who is comfortable in the contemporary world; one who can embrace the benefits of the modern world while remaining loyal to his Islamic roots.
