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 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.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Fatimid Heritage Foundation extend hearty felicitation to Excellency Mohammedmian Soomro, Prime Minister, Pakistan
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.
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.
Monday, November 12, 2007
President Musharraf Declares "Free Fair and Crystal Clear Election 2008''
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.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Middle East Quartet backs upcoming 'substantive and serious' peace conference in Washington
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Aga Khan Economic Planning Board highlight the Chitral Uplift Potential
Potential for economic, social, and cultural development in Chitral, and addressing the capacity gaps in the relevant institutions to respond to the emerging challenges with regard to access of people could benefit in the economic development of the Chitral area.
The speakers expressed these views at a seminar organized by the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board in collaboration with Aga Khan Council for Chitral on 'Development Opportunities and Challenges of Chitral.' It was part of the series of events arranged by various agencies of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
Chief Guest Zainullah Khan, Special Finance Secretary of NWFP lauded the efforts of the AKEPB and Aga Khan Council for the initiative of the series.
Posted by Fatimid Heritage Foundation at 7:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: Aga Khan, AKDN, AKEPB, Development Chitral, Zainullah Khan
ArchNET: The Global Community of Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph
The speakers expressed these views at a seminar organized by the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board in collaboration with Aga Khan Council for Chitral on 'Development Opportunities and Challenges of Chitral.' It was part of the series of events arranged by various agencies of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
Chief Guest Zainullah Khan, Special Finance Secretary of NWFP lauded the efforts of the AKEPB and Aga Khan Council for the initiative of the series.
Posted by Fatimid Heritage Foundation at 7:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: Aga Khan, AKDN, AKEPB, Development Chitral, Zainullah Khan
ArchNET: The Global Community of Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Emergency to Protect Huministic Traditions of Democracy
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”.
Pakistan is also an important ally of United States in the war against drugs.
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.
Friday, November 2, 2007
AGA KHAN III Championed World Peace at "Disarmament Conference" 1932 And League of Nations
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)