East Africa Visit July 2009

Activities of the Imam and the Noorani family.
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East Africa Visit July 2009

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God said: "I could not be contained in the heavens and the earth, but could be contained in the heart of a true believer. [Soofi/SA5] -- Prophet Mohamed

2009-07-26, Nairobi – Kenya. H.H. The Aga Khan and Princess Zahra visited the AKUH this afternoon as part of a working visit in the region for AKDN projects. Several hundreds people were standing for hours on 3rd Parklands to welcome him. To their surprise, His Highness, accompanied with Princess Zahra, Ambassador Dehlavi of the Board of Trustee, Dr. Firoz Rasul, Asmita Gilani and other high level AKU staff walked on 3rd Parklands street. The Imam waved continuously at the Jamat up to the time he reached the gate. [Heritage Photo]


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Post by kmaherali »

Kenya to address brain drain
Written By:PMPS , Posted: Mon, Jul 27, 2009


Caption: Odinga decried the losses the country is incurring through migration of intellectuals and professionals to greener pastures abroad.


Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday called on professionals trained locally to commit a fraction of their careers to serving the country after training before they go abroad for greener pastures if they must.

The PM said the government is not opposed to Kenyans seeking greener pastures abroad saying the immigrants contribute to the economy through remittances but there should be a balance.

"We need some amount of service from our citizens to our country after we have trained them. We need to strike a balance that ensure our services do not suffer and that we pay back to our country after it has trained us before we can fly abroad for greener pastures. That is not asking for too much," the PM said.

Odinga decried the losses the country is incurring through migration of intellectuals and professionals to greener pastures abroad.

He attributed the brain drain to lack of high caliber research institutions that would enable intellectuals keep abreast with the latest developments in their fields.

He said the government has spelt out measures to respond to this scenario in its Vision 2030, but called for a strong involvement of the private sector to stem the tide migrations to the developed world.

Odinga was speaking when he met His Highness the Aga Khan, who called on him.

The premier said that the government is keen to make Kenya the hub for medical facilities, including hospitals and healthcare providers for the region. "

The government spends a lot of money to train just one doctor. Yet those doctors leave almost immediately for greener pastures abroad, leaving us exposed. It is a trend we must reverse," the PM said.

"A good number of the intellectuals leaving the country are not driven by desire for money. Many are disappointed by the lack of research facilities that could enable them further their knowledge, be at par with their counterparts abroad and gain intellectual satisfaction from their work," he added.

Research facilities

He said the government is addressing the problem by sourcing funds for the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Technology.

The PM said that because of absence of adequate research facilities, Kenya currently spends a lot of money taking patients abroad, where in some cases they are treated by Kenyans who fled to greener pastures.

He said the few facilities Kenya has still remain critical in providing health services to people from the Eastern Africa region.

The Aga Khan, who is in the country for a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Aga Khan University, said he is keen to help Kenya attain higher standards in provision of healthcare and training of health workers.

He said his network is keen to put up an institution for training of more doctors at nurses at graduate and post graduate level and provide research facilities to keep the professionals around.

The Aga Khan said that currently, Kenya and India are the highest suppliers of doctors and nurses to the developed world, a situation he said is unfortunate.

"We must provide sufficient reasons to make the doctors see the need to remain here. We need institutions with best practises. We suffer brain drain because we have no institutions that thrive on best practices" he observed

http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=58846
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Post by No_problem »

Video clips of Mawlana Hazar Imam's visit to the construction site of Heart and Cancer center at the AKUH Nairobi on 26th July 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh5RjPKf ... r_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUL7Exe6 ... r_embedded
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Post by kmaherali »

Kibaki lauds Aga Khan effort

His Highness the Aga Khan and Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Treasury office on Monday.
By The Citizen Correspondent, Nairobi

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki yesterday urged the Aga Khan Development Network to continue being at the forefront in supplementing government efforts in education and health.

The President said the Government would support the network's efforts, especially in empowering farmers through value addition to their output.

The President was speaking at his Harambee House office in downtown Nairobi, when he met His Highness the Aga Khan.

Mr Kibaki outlined the Government�s commitment to empowering farmers in the rural areas.

He briefed the Aga Khan on the Government�s efforts in the social sector, especially health and education provision. He highlighted the success of the Free Primary Education, saying it had been well received in all corners of the country.

President Kibaki said the Government would continue to give a fair chance to all philanthropic organisations in their work of uplifting the lives of the Kenyans.

The President thanked the Aga Khan for his contribution to Kenya�s development.

For his part, the Aga Khan said he was committed to partnering with the Government for the development of Kenya.

He encouraged President Kibaki and the Government to continue implementing policies that would ensure the country achieves high economic growth rates.
http://thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=14034

******
Kenya seeks closer ties with AKDN
BY PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 28 - President Kibaki has encouraged the Aga Khan Development Network to continue being at the forefront in supplementing government efforts in the areas of education and health.

The President who spoke at a meeting with his Highness the Aga Khan at his Harambee House office affirmed that the government will support the foundation's efforts especially in empowering farmers through the Network's value addition to farmers output.

The President outlined the government's commitment to empowering farmers in the rural areas.

The Head of State briefed the Aga Khan on the government's efforts in the social sector especially health and education provision. He highlighted the success of the Free Primary Education that had been well received in all corners of the country.

President Kibaki said the Government would continue to give a fair chance to all philanthropic organizations in the country in their work of uplifting the lives of the Kenyan people.

The President thanked the Aga Khan for his contribution to Kenya's development.

On his part, the Aga Khan said he was committed to partnering with the Government for the development of Kenya.

He encouraged President Kibaki and the government to continue implementing policies that would ensure Kenya achieves high economic growth rates.

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Local/K ... -AKDN.html
*****
The Aga Khan calls on President Kibaki
Written By:pps , Posted: Tue, Jul 28, 2009


The Aga Khan Development Network has been encouraged to continue being at the forefront in supplementing government efforts in the areas of education and health.

President Mwai Kibaki affirmed that the Government will support the foundation's efforts especially in empowering farmers through the Network's value addition to farmers output.

The President made the remarks when he met His Royal Highness the Aga Khan at his Harambee House office.

He outlined the government's commitment to empowering farmers in the rural areas.

The Head of State briefed the Aga Khan on the government's efforts in the social sector especially health and education provision.

He highlighted the success of the Free Primary Education that had been well received in all corners of the country.

President Kibaki said the Government would continue to give a fair chance to all philanthropic organizations in the country in their work of uplifting the lives of the Kenyan people.

The President thanked the Aga Khan for his contribution to Kenya's development.

On his part, the Aga Khan said he was committed to partnering with the Government for the development of Kenya.

He encouraged President Kibaki and the government to continue implementing policies that would ensure Kenya achieves high economic growth rates.
http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=58878

*****
H.H. AGA KHAN ENDS WEEK LONG VISIT IN KENYA
TO REVIEW PROGRESS OF the A.K.D.N. PROJECTS


EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY - EJAZ KARMALI
IN MOMBASA AND AZIZ ISLAMSHAH IN NAIROBI

Coastweek -- His Highness the Aga Khan, accompanied by his daughter Princess Zahra, ended a week-long visit to Kenya to view progress on various projects of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in the country.

Coastweek -- His Highness the Aga Khan meets
with the Rt. Hon Prime Minister Raila Odinga.


While in Mombasa, the Aga Khan visited the Aga Khan Hospital, Mombasa where he toured some of the Hospital's diagnostic services and specialist clinics.

The Hospital is part of the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) with links to the Aga Khan University Hospitals in Nairobi and Karachi, and has grown in recent years, expanding its services and upgrading its facilities.

The Aga Khan also visited the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa to view developments on the construction of its new residential campus, and speak with faculty members, dorm parents and students about their experiences.

The Academy, which opened in 2003, is the first of a network of Academies to be established across the developing world and features a curriculum based on the International Baccalaureate Programme.

Combined with exceptional facilities, and a pluralistic, multicultural learning community, the Academies challenge exceptional students of all backgrounds to fulfill their destinies as learners and leaders in their communities and across the globe.

Coastweek -- His Highness the Aga
Khan tours the Out-patient Clinic
of the Aga Khan Hospital,
Mombasa with the Hospital's
C.E.O., Noorali Momin.


In Nairobi, His Highness and Princess Zahra visited the construction site of the $50 million Heart and Cancer Centre of the Aga Khan University Hospital (Nairobi), which is expected to be completed next year.

Coastweek -- Hospital CEO, Asmita Gilani discusses
a model of the proposed Heart and Cancer Centre
with His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra.


The Centre will be the first in the region to provide high quality cardiac and oncology care to patients using state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and will be a part of the Aga Khan University 's Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa 's first premier private medical school.

During the visit, they reviewed plans and saw the proposed area for radiation therapy, and also visited the Hospital's newly renovated Paediatric Unit.

During the visit, the Aga Khan also met His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

He will next travel to Tanzania and then to Zanzibar, where he will officially inaugurate Forodhani Park in Historic Stone Town, which has undergone a $2.4 million restoration by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).

Coastweek -- Naheed Bardai (Dean
of Students) introduces residential
students to His Highness the Aga
Khan while conducting a visit of the
student residences of the Aga
Khan Academy, Mombasa.


http://www.coastweek.com/3231-18.htm
Last edited by kmaherali on Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by kmaherali »

Mawlana Hazar Imam visits East Africa

Mawlana Hazar Imam greets Princess Zahra on arrival at the Aga Khan Hospital, Mombasa. Photo: Ejaz Karmali

Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Princess Zahra, is currently on a brief tour of East Africa to review the progress of Aga Khan Development Network initiatives in the region.

In Mombasa, Mawlana Hazar Imam visited the Aga Khan Hospital where he toured some of the Hospital’s diagnostic services and specialist clinics. Hazar Imam also reviewed the construction of the new residential campus of the Aga Khan Academy, and spoke with faculty members, dorm parents and students about their experiences.

In Nairobi, Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra visited the construction site of the $50 million Heart and Cancer Centre of the Aga Khan University Hospital (Nairobi), which is expected to be completed next year. They also met with His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Hospital CEO, Asmita Gilani, discusses a model of the proposed Heart and Cancer Centre with Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra. Photo: Aziz Islamshah

Mawlana Hazar Imam will later travel to Tanzania and then to Zanzibar, where he will officially inaugurate Forodhani Park. The Park is situated in Zanzibar’s Historic Stone Town, and has undergone a $2.4 million restoration by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Also see the image gallery, as well as related coverage at the AKDN

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/778/Mawla ... ast-Africa
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Post by kmaherali »

Friday, July 31, 2009
JK meets H.H. The Aga Khan in Dar

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in conversation with the Spiritual Leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims His Highness The Aga Khan at Dar es Salaam State House in Dar this morning.(Photo)

http://issamichuzi.blogspot.com/2009/07 ... n-dar.html

*****
Aga Khan pledges support for Zanzibar

Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume and his Highness the Aga Khan arrive at the newly refurbished Forodhani Park in the historic Stone Town, which was officially opened on Thursday. The park has been rehabilitated at a cost of $3 million by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
By Costantine Sebastian, Zanzibar

His Highness the Aga Khan yesterday assured Zanzibar of continued support in undertaking development projects, including setting up a microfinance scheme that will provide loans amounting to more than Sh1 billion.

Speaking during the opening of the refurbished Forodhani Park, the Aga Khan said the initiative would offer about 1,000 loans to different segments of Zanzibaris.

Forodhani Park has been rehabilitated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) at a cost of $3 million (Sh3.9 billion) from the initial estimates of $2.4 million (over Sh3 billion).

The facelift involved the restoration of walkways, landscape, infrastructure upgrading, incorporating lighting, sewerage drainage and civic amenities, and the rehabilitation of the seawall fronting the park.

He said that the trust was ready to undertake the second phase of the seafront project to give the area a new attractive look.

The Aga Khan said the success of the project was the outcome of great partnership when people, the public sector and international organisations come together to implement a common cause.

He was sure that the project would attract visitors and more enterprises, and improve lives of the people of Stone Town, where the park is located.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Amani Abeid Karume said that after the successful refurbishment of the park located in the famous Stone Town, a World Heritage Site, his government planned more projects. The aim, he added, would be to make the entire Zanzibar a World Heritage Site.

He also supported an idea by the Aga Khan to establish the Indian Ocean Marine Museum, saying the facility would be of more benefit to Zanzibar.

Work done by AKTC was also praised by the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Inventors (Zati). Its chairman, Mr Simai Mohammed, told The Citizen that the refurbished Forodhani Park would add value to the tourism products that Zanzibar offers to its visitors.

"It will enable Stone Town and Zanzibar to be more attractive and more competitive. There is no doubt that this project is very important as it will improve Zanzibar's tourism profile," he said.

The project also saw 57 traders trained in modern business skills. They were picked from among local businessmen, who used to trade at the old Forodhani.

The chairman of the Forodhani Traders Association, Mr Salum Mohammed, told The Citizen on the sidelines of the celebrations to launch the new park that the training they had received would improve their activities.

"Even our incomes will improve as, apart from the new attractive park, we are now armed with new business skills," he said.

The training of the businessmen, which is still going on, started in January.

Forodhani, one of the last open spaces in the Stone Town, a densely populated world heritage site, is regarded as one of the most popular places for outings. It is also one of the most attractive features in the Isles.

It was once a location for the main port and landing point for the sultans of Zanzibar, but the park has over the years remained a central meeting place for leisure and entertainment.

Over the last decade, the park had deteriorated due to over-use, prompting the restoration as part of a seafront upscaling in the Stone Town.

The agreement for the project was signed between President Karume and His Highness the Aga Khan.

Under the agreement, also proposed for an upgrade as part of the seafront up scaling, is an Indian Ocean maritime museum that will showcase culture, including displays of naval vessels, artifacts reflecting the historic, commercial and cultural contacts between Africa, Middle East and India.

The trust has also worked with the Government of Sweden and the Ford Foundation to conduct training workshops on conservation and traditional construction methods for architects.

The trust has been active in Zanzibar since 1989, and has successfully completed restoring 11 buildings in the Stone Town.

The AKTC is a part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) which over the last 20 years has championed efforts to integrate culture in the broader economic and social programmes.

http://thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=14108
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Post by kmaherali »

Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Inauguration of the Revitalized Forodhani Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar
30 July 2009

http://www.akdn.org/Content/841
Please also see the Press Release

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

His Excellency President Karume and Mrs. Karume
Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Zanzibar
Honourable Chief Justice
Honourable Minister Mansour Himid, and I thank you for your very kind words
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a distinct pleasure for me to be part of this great occasion - in this very special setting.

As we look to the extraordinary landmark buildings on one side of this historic site - and to the splendid seascape on the other side - and as we also look back upon the rich history of the ground on which we stand - we realize how privileged we are to be part of this place -and part of its revitalization.

Let me begin by thanking all of you who have contributed so much to the success of the Forodhani Park restoration - and the Seafront Rehabilitation Project of which it is a part. This work has been a great partnership - an example of what can be done when people come together, with a common purpose, and share their knowledge - from the public and the private sector, from the local, national and international level, from civil society and many many different professions.

This coming together of people from many backgrounds has been a central theme in the history of Zanzibar for over a thousand years - since the first Arab traders were blown this way by the monsoon winds in the 8th Century. Through the centuries, Zanzibar became one of the central crossroads of commerce and culture. Here people from all sides of the Indian Ocean came to encounter one another - in ways which were ordinary and extra ordinary, tragic and invigorating.

It is worth noting that the peoples who were drawn here were themselves men and women with pluralistic outlooks, energized by new horizons, skilled in the sciences of exploration, and engaged by cultural diversity. The culture which emerged here was thus a distinctly pluralist culture, resonating with African, Arab, Indian and European influences. It is that rich legacy which we celebrate today.

And just as Zanzibar was a significant focal point for this region of the world, so too the Seafront where we are gathered - and the place we now call Forodhani Park - has long been a focal point for Zanzibar.

In recent years, however, the intensity of the demands on this site have outgrown its capacity to meet them. What had been a place of lively interchange became a place of crippling congestion. As my brother, Prince Amyn Aga Khan said at the groundbreaking ceremony here just 18 months ago, “the balance between commercial activity and leisure had been lost.” - and finding a healthy new balance became the key to making the Park, once again, the “hub and the heart” of Stone Town.

This project has given me great personal satisfaction over many years. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture began its work in Zanzibar some twenty years ago, in 1989. Working with the government, we published a Master Plan for Stone Town in 1996, and then, step by step, with the help of many partners, a major part of that plan was implemented. Local citizens were trained in traditional building techniques - and some eleven buildings were restored. The historic Grade One building known as the Old Dispensary was restored to Grade One standards, and given a new purpose as today’s Stone Town Cultural Center. The Customs House and Kelele Square were also rehabilitated, and the Serena Inn has been operating successfully on the site of the old telecom building.

I should add, however, that my interest in Zanzibar has even earlier precedents. My grandfather helped to build schools here a century ago. Our Aga Khan Development Network and its predecessor institutions have been operating hospitals and clinics here for over fifty years. Community health programmes, early childhood education, and programmes to strengthen civil society continue to be important areas of emphasis.
The accomplishments we celebrate today, then, are a part of an ongoing story - and it is a story which has counterparts in many places around the world.

In Cairo, in Damascus and Aleppo, in Delhi and Lahore, in Kabul and Bamako, in Mopti, Djenne and Timbuktu, and along the ancient Silk Route, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, through its Historic Cities Programme, has worked to restore a series of major cultural landmarks.

We undertake these projects, in part, because they can reinforce a sense of identity within proud communities, providing gateways to cultural understanding for local citizens and for visitors alike. But there is more to the matter than that. These cultural initiatives, in each case, have also been accompanied by a social and economic rationale, so that the entire project works to improve the well being of the people who live in these areas.

How does this happen? It happens when many components come together - like pieces of a complex puzzle.

To begin with, of course, it happens by attracting outside investment. But more than that, it happens when the indigenous population can be intimately involved in the work of restoration itself, and when training in restoration and conservation is provided as an integral part of the project. It happens when the restored site can become the home for a range of newly active civic and commercial institutions, and when the completed project is so attractive to visitors that it produces a flow of new income that not only sustains the site, but also improves the life of the surrounding neighbourhood.

All of this happens most successfully when people from the community are employed directly at the site - and at supporting facilities, such as the Serena Inn just down the road from here, which not only pays local taxes but also provides employment for some 120 people.

Finally, the economic and social impact of these restoration projects can be multiplied even more powerfully through the use of micro-credit. Given even a small but a sustainable source of income, local residents can leverage these new resources by borrowing through well–focused micro-credit programmes, enabling them to make further, even more ambitious plans, and to turn those plans into realities.

I am pleased to report that our own Microcredit Finance institution has just launched a new program here in Zanzibar - and is planning to extend some 1000 loans within the coming year, totaling almost one half million US Dollars.

For Forodhani Park, as for all of our Historic City efforts, the watchword is sustainability. Each project must generate enough income not only to balance the books each year but also to reinvest in maintenance and further development. Our mandate is that no such project should require future support from government or any other institution, but should stand on its own, as an entirely independent engine of community progress.

In summing up, we might well describe each of these initiatives, including Forodhani Park as gifts to the future.

For, even as we look back in time at a moment like this – so we should also look thoughtfully ahead.

Even as we sense today the influence of the distant past, so we should also think of generations yet unborn - people who will live here and people who will visit, and who will see these sites as gateways to their own history.

And of course we must also look to the more immediate future. We are ready now for Phase Two of the Seafront Rehabilitation Project, working with the World Bank and the Government of Zanzibar to rehabilitate an additional 315 metres of the seafront wall, while widening the area to facilitate pedestrian communication and traffic flow along Mizangani Road. Infrastructure improvements will also be critical, including items such as road surfaces, waste disposal, water and power supplies, signage and public lighting.

Finally, if our goal is to see all of the historic buildings along this seafront truly restored, with new purpose, and contributing anew to the quality of life for those who live and visit here, then I would include in that dream a new Indian Ocean Maritime Museum. Such a museum would celebrate appropriately a centuries-long story of international and intercultural accomplishment, with Zanzibar at its very heart. An Indian Ocean Maritime Museum would join the existing House of Wonders and the Palace Museum as part of Stone Town’s great cultural hub. And should the Orphanage Building next to this Park ever have a different destiny, could it not be an ideal home for Zanzibar’s newest museum? The Aga Khan Trust for Culture would most certainly support such a unique and exciting initiative.

Part of what makes this site so captivating, is that it links the natural environment with the built environment, the Divine Creation, on the one hand with human creativity on the other. Here endless seascapes humble us in the face of the eternal and unknowable - while a splendid cityscape expresses the confident accomplishments of particular historic moments.

It is not surprising that the waterfront area of Stone Town has been designated as a World Heritage Site. And it is heartening to know that so many of you share a deep appreciation and affection for this site - for what it has meant in the past - and for what it can now mean, for the community, and for those who will share in its beauty for many years to come.

Thank you for being part of this memorable occasion.




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Post by Admin »

http://thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=14108
Friday, July 31, 2009
Aga Khan pledges support for Zanzibar
By Costantine Sebastian, Zanzibar

Image

Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume and his Highness the Aga Khan arrive at the newly refurbished Forodhani Park in the historic Stone Town, which was officially opened on Thursday. The park has been rehabilitated at a cost of $3 million by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

His Highness the Aga Khan yesterday assured Zanzibar of continued support in undertaking development projects, including setting up a microfinance scheme that will provide loans amounting to more than Sh1 billion.

Speaking during the opening of the refurbished Forodhani Park, the Aga Khan said the initiative would offer about 1,000 loans to different segments of Zanzibaris.

Forodhani Park has been rehabilitated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) at a cost of $3 million (Sh3.9 billion) from the initial estimates of $2.4 million (over Sh3 billion).

The facelift involved the restoration of walkways, landscape, infrastructure upgrading, incorporating lighting, sewerage drainage and civic amenities, and the rehabilitation of the seawall fronting the park.

He said that the trust was ready to undertake the second phase of the seafront project to give the area a new attractive look.

The Aga Khan said the success of the project was the outcome of great partnership when people, the public sector and international organisations come together to implement a common cause.

He was sure that the project would attract visitors and more enterprises, and improve lives of the people of Stone Town, where the park is located.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Amani Abeid Karume said that after the successful refurbishment of the park located in the famous Stone Town, a World Heritage Site, his government planned more projects. The aim, he added, would be to make the entire Zanzibar a World Heritage Site.

He also supported an idea by the Aga Khan to establish the Indian Ocean Marine Museum, saying the facility would be of more benefit to Zanzibar.

Work done by AKTC was also praised by the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Inventors (Zati). Its chairman, Mr Simai Mohammed, told The Citizen that the refurbished Forodhani Park would add value to the tourism products that Zanzibar offers to its visitors.

"It will enable Stone Town and Zanzibar to be more attractive and more competitive. There is no doubt that this project is very important as it will improve Zanzibar's tourism profile," he said.

The project also saw 57 traders trained in modern business skills. They were picked from among local businessmen, who used to trade at the old Forodhani.

The chairman of the Forodhani Traders Association, Mr Salum Mohammed, told The Citizen on the sidelines of the celebrations to launch the new park that the training they had received would improve their activities.

"Even our incomes will improve as, apart from the new attractive park, we are now armed with new business skills," he said.

The training of the businessmen, which is still going on, started in January.

Forodhani, one of the last open spaces in the Stone Town, a densely populated world heritage site, is regarded as one of the most popular places for outings. It is also one of the most attractive features in the Isles.

It was once a location for the main port and landing point for the sultans of Zanzibar, but the park has over the years remained a central meeting place for leisure and entertainment.

Over the last decade, the park had deteriorated due to over-use, prompting the restoration as part of a seafront upscaling in the Stone Town.

The agreement for the project was signed between President Karume and His Highness the Aga Khan.

Under the agreement, also proposed for an upgrade as part of the seafront up scaling, is an Indian Ocean maritime museum that will showcase culture, including displays of naval vessels, artifacts reflecting the historic, commercial and cultural contacts between Africa, Middle East and India.

The trust has also worked with the Government of Sweden and the Ford Foundation to conduct training workshops on conservation and traditional construction methods for architects.

The trust has been active in Zanzibar since 1989, and has successfully completed restoring 11 buildings in the Stone Town.

The AKTC is a part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) which over the last 20 years has championed efforts to integrate culture in the broader economic and social programmes.
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Post by kmaherali »

Updates from theismaili.org

31 July 2009 — Following his visit to Kenya, Mawlana Hazar Imam travelled to Tanzania, where he reviewed development plans at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

From Dar es Salaam, Mawlana Hazar Imam travelled to Zanzibar where he met with His Excellency Dr Amani Abeid Karume, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council. Together, they presided over a ceremony that marked the completion of the first phase of restoration of Forodhani Park in the historic Stone Town. The park, a central meeting place along the city's seawall, has undergone a $2.4 million restoration by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Prince Amyn, Prince Rahim, Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya were also present for the inaugural ceremony.

Also see Mawlana Hazar Imam's speech, photos and additional coverage at the AKDN website.

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/778/spinner
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Je je mangu te tuhi dehve... Miracle at City Park, Nairobi

Post by Indigo »

On Tuesday, July 28, 2009, MHI, accompanied by Princess Zahra, Princess Khaleya and Prince Hussain, were scheduled to visit City Park, Nairobi in the early morning.
A few jamati members had gathered at the entrance of the venue to catch a glimpse of Hazar Imam and the Noorani Family.

The entourage arrived soon thereafter and the murids gathered were blessed by Mowla's car slowing down and Mowla waving and smiling at the gathering.

Thereafter, city council officials on duty suggested that the jamat gathered outside should go inside a little bit from where they would be able to observe the proceedings that were planned from a far distance. Jamat was happy about this and went and stood as per the instructions of the officials.
However, this was shortlived.
Our Ismaili security did not approve of this and ordered the jamat back out, going so far as to even shut the gates on the jamat's faces!

Saddened by this irrational behaviour, the jamat went and stood back on the road, awaiting Hazar Imam's car to depart. Everyone was quite upset. Afterall, if the hosts (city council) had no objection to jamati members watching the proceedings from a distance, why should our very own brothers in the Ismaili security be so mean?
Anyway, jamat is used to such treatment and decided to catch another glimpse of Hazar Imam from the car, which this time had tinted windows thereby not affording a perfect view.

A short time later, our security brothers came running out. In fact there was quite a hustle and bustle. Curious to know what was going on, jamat peeped around the corner and LO AND BEHOLD, Mawlana Hazar Imam was walking down the hill towards the entrance, followed by the entire Noorani family and dignitaries. Yes, I mean, actually walking! What a miracle!! Hazar Imam came so close to the jamat, and waved, smiled and nodded at each murid. Jamat had never seen Hazar Imam so happy! The Noorani Family members too were smiling and waving jovially.

As the Ginans have said, ishq akal bhulavo... the jamat got so excited, started clapping and cheering, shouts of 'love you Mowla' were heard, and Mowla kept on smiling and waving and showing true happiness.

Once Hazar Imam passed the gathering, He stood a bit further on awaiting His car according the jamat the blessing of deedar for almost five minutes. Truly this was a wonderful miracle and occasion and there was great excitement in the air.

Once Hazar Imam's convoy departed, the jamat started hugging and congratulating each other. Our security brothers looked very discomfited by this whole happening. One of them told the jamat that Mowla declined to sit in His car and expressed a wish to walk to the entrance since it was 'a pleasant day'....mashallah, alhamdullilah!! Mowla is great, Allahuakbar!
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

There is a nice wonderful video of the Forodhani ceremony at:

http://www.akdn.org/videos_detail.asp?VideoId=78
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Re: Je je mangu te tuhi dehve... Miracle at City Park, Nairo

Post by kmaherali »

Indigo wrote: Once Hazar Imam's convoy departed, the jamat started hugging and congratulating each other. Our security brothers looked very discomfited by this whole happening. One of them told the jamat that Mowla declined to sit in His car and expressed a wish to walk to the entrance since it was 'a pleasant day'....mashallah, alhamdullilah!! Mowla is great, Allahuakbar!
Nice one to read! Thanks for sharing...
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