PORTUGAL Didar dates, events and testimonies

Dates, testimonies, articles, descriptions
jeeshanali
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am

Darbar portugal

Post by jeeshanali »

Dear All,

Ya ali miadad

First mubaraki to lisbon jamat and to those international jamat who are travelling to lisbon for a darbar

The online registration for international jamat has been already started.First u have to create an account on this website

https://www.goldenjubileeportugal.com/i ... =registers

Then the regitration desk will send u username and password by which u can do the registration.

The darbar will be held at

Location

The Darbar celebrations will take place at Parque das Nações, Lisbon.

Parque das Nações is easily accessible by road and public transport.

In this area the “Oriente Station” is the core of several existent public transportation networks currently serving the eastern area of Lisbon, including a metro station, trains, buses, taxis and easy airport connections.

For more information, please go to http://www.parquedasnacoes.pt/


Pavilhão Atlântico – (Celebration Hall)

Rossio dos Olivais,

Lote 2.13.01A

1990 - 231 Lisboa

http://www.pavilhaoatlantico.pt/


FIL- Feira Internacional de Lisboa - Pav. 4 (Darbar Hall)

Rua do Bojador,

Parque das Nações,


1998-010 Lisboa

http://www.fil.pt/mail

For Hotels

https://www.goldenjubileeportugal.com/i ... &Itemid=33


For further information, please contact us through the e-mail

info@goldenjubileeportugal.com

Wishing u safe journey

If u need any help it will be my pleasure u can reach me on jeeshanali@yahoo.co.in or my cell 0091-9833668908

Regards/Rahim
jeeshanali
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am

Details

Post by jeeshanali »

Dear All,

Ya ali miadad

Few details of Feira Internacional de Lisboa convention center where darbar of our spritual Father MHI will be held.

FIL is located in the most modern urban district in Lisbon, filled with beauty and functionalism equal to the very best from all continents.FIL takes advantage of an exceptional binomia adding to the qualities of a modern and dynamic business centre the easiness and the well being of a real new world filled with fresh experiences.FIL presents all the qualities of a modern and dynamic business centre, in the most modern part of Lisbon, a place plenty of beauty and useful equipments.
Centre address
Feira Internacional de Lisboa
Rua do Bojador, Parque das Nações
1998-010 Lisboa
Portugal
Phone: +351 (0)21/8921500
Fax: +351 (0)21/8921555
fil@aip.pt
http://www.fil.pt


General venue info
Site area 100,000 sqm
Gross exhibition area 53,000 sqm
Indoor 43,000 sqm
Outdoor 10,000 sqm
Number of exhibition halls 4
Exhibition facilities
Up-to-date exhibition calendar

Number of conference rooms 7
Capacity/persons 1,020 persons
Conference facilities

Technical equipment
Air Conditioning - CCTV - Fire Detectors - Fire Hydrants - Building Management Systems - Electric Power - Compressed Air - Water/Drainage - Telecommunications/Internet, Cable TV - Audiovisual - Rigging

Other services
FIL offers all the services necessary to the tradeshows, provided on a 'ready-to-use' basis. It is surrounded by large circulation areas, several shopping areas, various facilities, services and restaurants.

Access
FIL Feira Internacional de Lisboa is located at Parque das Nações, at the crossroads of every major road around Lisbon, benefiting from infrastructures such as CRIL (a variant to the EN 10), the Vasco da Gama bridge, the North/South motorway, the Oriente station and the River Terminal. FIL is merely 7 minutes away from the airport and 3 minutes away from an inter-modal station (train, bus and underground).

Parking
FIL has parking facilities which total 830 spaces. There are parking lots Vasco da GamaTower Parking with 250 places, Oriente Sul Parking with 700 places and Oriente Station Parking with 2,000 places.

City information
Modern city, today also a centre for business, for meetings, boasting the necessary innovative equipment (museums, transports, theatres, leisure centres, congress halls, hotels, etc.), Lisbon is a supreme destination for all these events (exhibitions, concerts, large productions, great fairs, great congresses ...). It is in Lisbon that you will find Feira Internacional de Lisboa, the largest exhibition centre in Portugal.


If anybody need help in any case please do not hestitate to contact me on jeeshanali@yahoo.co.in or my cell 9833668908
Important_Information
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:17 am

The Lisbon Darbar Day is 13th July am.

Post by Important_Information »

The Lisbon Darbar Day is 13th July am.
Please remember that any information about GJ Padramni, DarbarDay, Date and time must be confirmed by Council, until then it must count as unconfirmed.
Regards
Kasim
sana82
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:08 pm

Post by sana82 »

YAM,
i'm trying to confirm the darbar date.
i have booked a flight getting into lisbon on the 11th at 10 a.m.
If anyone has confirmation from an announcement in jamat khane could you please let me know if my tickets are fine or if i have to scavenge to find an earlier flight.

Thank you very much for the help,
Sana.
jeeshanali
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am

Darbar date

Post by jeeshanali »

Dear All

Ya ali miadad

My brother kasim told about portugal darbar was 100% True

Here the website says

We are pleased to announce that the Darbar will take place between 10/07/08 and 14/07/08.

A variety of programmes including dandia raas, dinner, musical exhibitions, presentations, mendi and more, will take place, as part of the Darbar Celebrations.

We are pleased to announce that Darbar date has been set for July 13th.

We convey our heartiest Mubaraki to everyone.

Take care

Regards/rahim
jeeshanali
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:05 am

Darbar date

Post by jeeshanali »

Dear all,

Yam

As posting made my brother kasim is 100% true

Here website says.

We are pleased to announce that the Darbar will take place between 10/07/08 and 14/07/08.

A variety of programmes including dandia raas, dinner, musical exhibitions, presentations, mendi and more, will take place, as part of the Darbar Celebrations.

We are pleased to announce that Darbar date has been set for July 13th.

We convey our heartiest Mubaraki to everyone.

Take care and wonderful darbar

Regards/rahim
yasminshams
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:36 am

next deedar.

Post by yasminshams »

DEAR ISMAILI MURIDS.
PLEASE COMMUNICATE NEXT DEEDAR PROGRAMME AS WE ARE WANTING TO GO TO MALAYSIA OR SINGAPORE.
WE NEED DATES AND TIME.IF POSSIBLE.
SHAMS NANJI.
MUBARAK FOR UK AND PORTUGAL DEEDAR.
YAM.
sadrudin
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2003 12:15 pm

His Highness the Aga Khan visits Portugal

Post by sadrudin »

http://www.akdn.org/news/2008july9.html



Press Advisory

For Immediate Release


His Highness the Aga Khan visits Portugal
on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee

10th-14th July 2008

Please also see Portuguese Version

Lisbon, Portugal, 9 July 2008 - His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Lisbon tomorrow on an official visit at the invitation of the Government. The Aga Khan is visiting the country as part of a series of visits around the world to mark his Golden Jubilee year – the 50th anniversary of his becoming the Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims – an ethnically diverse community whose members reside in more than 25 countries, including Portugal.

The Aga Khan will meet with the President of the Portuguese Republic, Professor Cavaco Silva, who will host a lunch in his honour.

The Aga Khan will also meet with the President of the National Assembly, Dr. Jaime Gama, the Prime Minister, Engº. José Socrates, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Luís Amado as well as the Minister of Justice, Dr. Alberto Costa.

His schedule also includes meetings with the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Dr. Jorge Sampaio – former President of the Portuguese Republic.

The Aga Khan will also attend a congregational event with members of the Ismaili community.

During the past 50 years, the Aga Khan has overseen the growth of one of the largest private development networks in the world. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is engaged in a wide range of activities in the fields of education, healthcare, rural development, cultural and economic development. These activities undertaken in some of the world’s poorest regions are aimed at the common good for all citizens, regardless of their race, gender or religion. The work of the Aga Khan Development Network is well recognised internationally and is undertaken under the auspice of its nine agencies as well as in partnership with Governments and leading multilateral agencies.

In 2005, a protocol of cooperation was signed between the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of the Republic of Portugal. In the same year, the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal and the Patriarchate of Lisbon signed a Partnership Agreement that provides the framework for cooperation in an innovative urban community support programme designed to tackle social exclusion and urban poverty.

Agenda for the 10th of July 2008

12:00 Arrival at Figo Maduro Military Airbase

12:30 Meeting with the President of the Republic, followed by lunch at the Official Residence of the President of the Republic

17:00 Meeting with the High Representative of the UN for the Alliance of Civilizations

NOTES

Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan
His Highness the Aga Khan completed his 50th year as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on 11th July 2007, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah. The Aga Khan leads a community of 15 million Ismaili Muslims living in some 25 countries around the world and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). In the Ismaili tradition, the Imam’s Jubilee celebrations are a premise to launch new social, cultural and economic development projects. In keeping with the ethics of the faith, these projects aspire to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable in society. During the Jubilee year, the Aga Khan is expected to travel to a number of countries to meet with members of the Ismaili community and to visit projects of the AKDN. He is also likely to announce the creation of new development institutions and projects and the significant expansion of existing ones.

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

For more information please contact:
Karim Vissangy
AKDN
Management Officer
Contact:
E-mail: karim.vissangy@akdn.org
Telephone: (351) 968 630 150 / (351) 217 220 000/1
Admin
Posts: 6687
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:37 am
Contact:

Post by Admin »

ImagePhoto from the Presidency.

President of Portugal receives the Aga Khan Image

Aga Khan no Palácio de Belém

Presidente da República recebeu Aga Khan

O Presidente da República recebeu, no Palácio de Belém, Sua Alteza o Aga Khan, que se deslocou a Portugal, numa visita de 4 dias, por ocasião do seu Jubileu de Ouro. A audiência foi seguida de almoço.
10.07.2008


--------------------------------
Image
http://jn.sapo.pt/PaginaInicial/Interio ... _id=965334

10 Julho 2008

Religião: Líder espiritual ismaelita Aga Khan de visita a Portugal para comemorar 50 anos de subida ao trono
2008-07-04

Lisboa 06 Jul (Lusa) - O príncipe Karim Aga Khan, líder institucional e espiritual de milhões de muçulmanos ismailis a viver em cerca de 25 países vai estar em Portugal de 10 a 14 de Julho.

O Aga Khan é o 49º Imam hereditário dos Muçulmanos Shia Imami Ismailis e dirige uma comunidade de 15 milhões de muçulmanos, oito mil dos quais a residir em Portugal.

Para os seus seguidores, Karim Aga Khan, que acedeu ao trono do Imamat Ismaili a 11 de Julho de 1957, é um descendente directo do Profeta Maomé através do seu primo e genro Ali, o primeiro Imam, e da sua mulher Fátima, a filha do Profeta.

De acordo com a tradição Shia do Islão, o mandato do Imam abarca tanto as questões espirituais como as materiais.

Durante o ano de Jubileu que começou em Julho de 2007, Aga Khan efectuou várias visitas oficiais, em resposta a convites por parte de Chefes de Estado.

Nas visitas a países como a India, Estados Unidos, Moçambique, Bangladesh, Madagascar e Reino Unido, o lider espiritual dos ismaelitas reuniu-se com Chefes de Estado e de Governo e revisitou os programas e projectos da rede para o desenvolvimento Aga Khan.

A visita a Portugal, que se realiza de 10 a 14 de Julho e que concide com a celebração do dia (11 de Julho) em que o príncipe acedeu ao trono há 50 anos, está a ser preparada com a ajuda de mais de 700 voluntários sendo esperadas mais de 15 mil ismaelitas quer do território português quer de outros países.

As celebrações do Jubileu do Imam, segundo a comunidade, oferecem oportunidades para o lançamento de novos projectos de desenvolvimento, de âmbito social, cultural e económico.

De acordo com a ética da fé, estes projectos pretendem melhorar a qualidade de vida dos mais vulneráveis da sociedade com a criação de escolas, hospitais e projectos de habitação.

No seu Jubileu de Prata, há 25 anos, o actual Aga Khan lançou novas instituições e projectos de desenvolvimento social e económico que têm contribuído para a melhoria da vida de milhões de pessoas no mundo em desenvolvimento.

Estas iniciativas fazem agora parte da Rede Aga Khan para o Desenvolvimento (Aga Khan Development Network - AKDN), um grupo de instituições cujos mandatos vão da saúde e da educação à arquitectura, da micro-finança à promoção da iniciativa do sector privado e à revitalização de cidades históricas - todas elas agindo como catalizadores de desenvolvimento.

A Fundação Aga Khan é uma dessas instituições que compõem a rede e para comemorar o jubileu de ouro está em marcha um projecto de criação de uma escola de excelência para crianças e jovens que revelem capacidades elevadas mas que têm dificuldades financeiras.

O projecto, segundo o representante em Portugal da rede Aga Khan para o Desenvolvimento, comendador Nazim Ahmad, ainda está a ser negociado sabendo-se apenas que deverá ficar na zona da grande Lisboa e que terá regime de internato para receber alunos de todo o país.

Esta academia de excelência educacional assemelha-se a outras já criadas pela rede em todo o mundo.

A AKDN gasta mais de 320 milhões de dólares anualmente em actividades de desenvolvimento social e económico e opera com mais de 200 instituições de cuidados de saúde, incluindo nove hospitais, e mais de 300 escolas no mundo em desenvolvimento.

Seguindo a tradição dos seus antepassados - recuando mil anos até à fundação das primeiras universidades e instituições de ensino no mundo Muçulmano - o Aga Khan continua a sublinhar a importância da educação.

O seu reconhecimento da necessidade de um compromisso da "Sociedade de Conhecimento" global levou à criação da Universidade Aga Khan (AKU), no Paquistão, há 25 anos - a primeira universidade privada e de gestão autónoma nesse país.

A AKU tornou-se, entretanto, numa universidade internacional e opera hoje em nove complexos universitários em todo o mundo.

O Fundo Aga Khan para a Cultura (Aga Khan Trust for Culture - AKTC) - outra instituição da maior importância da AKDN - tem vindo a desenvolver diversos projectos que vão da realização de exposições de arte Islâmica à reabilitação de edifícios, bairros e cidades históricas, de Hunza, no Norte do Paquistão, a Cabul, no Afeganistão, ao Cairo, no Egipto, a Mali, no Norte de África.

GC.

Lusa/fim

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Image

Image

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kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Updates from theismaili.org

Portuguese youth commemorate the Golden Jubilee through art

Portuguese Ismaili youth learn to express themselves through painting in the Dar-at-Ta’lim art project. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Portugal
As part of the Dar-at-Ta’lim religious education programme, Portuguese children, youth, and their teachers have been busy creating special pieces of art to celebrate the upcoming Golden Jubilee visit to Lisbon.

One of the core objectives of the visual art project has been to encourage young people in Portugal — as well as their teachers, parents, and other family members — to depict their love for Mawlana Hazar Imam through artistic expression, a long-standing tradition in Ismaili history.

Another objective of the project is to encourage young people to use art and creative expression as a vehicle for the communication of emotion. The project allows students to awaken their creativity and explore their talents and interests.


A girl composes her painting on canvas. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Portugal

During the first stage of the project, students from across Portugal explored the work of Muslim artists, past and present. Many participants were inspired by the work of artists such as the late Ismail Gulgee.

The Dar-at-Ta’lim art project was also designed to help various members of the Jamat come together and work hand-in-hand to commemorate Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee visit. Children and youth collaborated with their families, teachers, and various artists in the Jamat to craft their personal art pieces.

In addition to paintings on canvas, the young people have also created a tapestry: a collaborative map depicting the presence of Ismaili Muslims across the world, both today and throughout history.


Portuguese youth participate in a special Dar-at-Ta’lim art project commemorating the Golden Jubilee visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Portugal

The art project has proven to be a tremendous success. Not only has it helped bring various members of the Jamat together in a celebration of the upcoming Golden Jubilee visit festivities, but it has also given young people across Portugal an opportunity to explore creative expressions of their love for Mawlana Hazar Imam.

Adam Sadrudine, a 16-year-old from Portugal who participated in the project, was happy to be part of an initiative that brought so many people together. “This was a good experience that helped us recall some of the things we had learned throughout the year through the Dar-at-Ta'lim programme,” he said. “In addition, it was an excellent exercise in helping us truly express how we feel about our faith and our Imam.”


A piece of art created by a young person in Portugal as part of the Dar-at-Ta’lim art project. Photo: Courtesy ITREB Portugal

Sadrudine's thoughts echo those of many others across Portugal when describing his excitement for the upcoming visit.

“I was immensely happy to have had the opportunity to work on a project where we were invited to show our love for and sincere gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam for all he has been doing over the past fifty years.”
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Updates from theismaili.org

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/489/Portugal-visit

Portugal visit
Friday, 11 July 2008

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Foreign Minister Luís Amado shake hands upon signing of an Agreement of International Cooperation between the Ismaili Imamat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic. Photo: Gary Otte
Mawlana Hazar Imam spent Imamat Day, his second day in Portugal, meeting with various government officials. He began by meeting with the Minister of Justice, Alberto Costa, at the Ministry of Justice. He then met with the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Jaime Gama, who also hosted a lunch in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Assembly building.

In the afternoon, Hazar Imam visited the Foreign Office to meet with the Foreign Minister, Luís Amado, which was followed by an evening meeting with Prime Minister José Sócrates at the Prime Minister’s official residence. There, Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Foreign Minister signed an Agreement of International Cooperation between the Ismaili Imamat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic. The Prime Minister also hosted a dinner in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam, which was attended by Prince Amyn, Prince Rahim, Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya.

Additional photos are available in the photo gallery. Further updates on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee visit to Portugal will continue to be posted at TheIsmaili.org.



Thursday, 10 July

Mawlana Hazar Imam with the President of the Portuguese Republic, Cavaco Silva. Photo: Gary Otte
This afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Lisbon, commencing his Golden Jubilee visit to Portugal.

Leaders of the Jamat gathered at the airport to welcome Mawlana Hazar Imam, who was formally received by Alberto Costa, Minister of Justice, on behalf of the Government of Portugal. Thousands of members of the Jamat from Portugal and abroad lined the route of Hazar Imam’s motorcade to welcome him.

From the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam went to the Presidential Palace for a meeting with President Cavaco Silva. Following their meeting, the Portuguese President and First Lady hosted a lunch in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam.

Later in the afternoon, the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio, met with Mawlana Hazar Imam at his hotel. Mr Sampaio, a former President of the Portuguese Republic, opened the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon exactly ten years ago, on 11 July 1998.

Also see the related press release and photos at the AKDN website.
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKDN Updates

http://akdn.org/news/2008july12.html

Aga Khan University and Catholic University of Portugal
Sign Agreement of Academic Collaboration
Jointly Sighned by Aga Khan University and Catholic University of Portugal


Please also see Related Material


12 July 2008 - Lisbon, Portugal - Aga Khan University (AKU) and the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), today signed an agreement of academic collaboration as part of their efforts to foster international understanding and scholarly cooperation between diverse cultures and faiths. Areas of collaboration between the two universities will include culture, law, religion, ethics, health sciences, education and human development through joint research, training initiatives, and exchange programmes for faculty and students. Professor Manuel Braga da Cruz, Rector of the UCP and Firoz Rasul, President AKU, signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon.

The historic signing ceremony was attended by His Eminence D. Jose Policarpo, the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon and Chancellor of the University, D. José Policarpo, and His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Ismaili Muslims and Chancellor of the AKU. Rector da Cruz and President Rasul noted that the partnership between the two Universities conveyed a collective commitment to go beyond common boundaries, to build bridges between diverse faiths and peoples by connecting different parts of the world together through the universal language of scholarship. The partnership is an opportunity to address shared concerns, identify common interests and foster greater understanding on issues of global concern.

Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, based in London, will lead the collaboration, working with the Faculties of Law and Theology, and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Catholic University of Portugal. Initial projects will include comparative study of the impact of religion on the evolution of legal systems as it relates to the law of the land and its bearing on civil society; cultural studies; health sciences education and training; joint research, training and consultation on bioethics; and discussion on human development frameworks. Collaboration will include exchange programmes, research initiatives, and the organisation of symposia, lectures series, conferences, short courses and continuing education programmes.

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University is an institution of the Aga Khan Development Network. AKU is a private, autonomous university recognised for its research, teaching and service at an international standard in medicine, nursing, teacher education, medical care and community service. The university has campuses and programmes in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, including Faculties of Health Sciences with a Nursing School, Medical College and teaching hospitals in Karachi and Nairobi, Institutes for Educational Development in Karachi and Dar es salaam, an Examination Board and an Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. AKU is a non-denominational institution open to all, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender, national origin or financial standing.

The Portuguese Catholic University is a public educational institution, established by the Congregation of Catholic Education, under the Concordat between Portugal and the Apostolic See, and recognised by the Portuguese State in 1971. It currently has approximately 11.000 students attending all three cycles of study (University degree, Masters’ degree and PhD) in all of its 4 major centres, located in Lisbon, Braga, Oporto and Viseu. It is also attended, on an annual basis, by over 2.000 professionals seeking its well reputed programmes for executives. The scientific areas developed by the University cover a variety of themes ranging from Theology to Art, Philosophy, Human Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Educational Sciences, Biotechnology, Entrepreneurial Sciences, and Law. Integrated within UCP units, there are 22 study centres, Cabinets and Institutes which are essentially dedicated towards pure and applied investigation. As from 1998, the University has its own publisher, named UCEditora.

For additional information, please contact:
Karim Vissangy
Rede Aga Khan para o Desenvolvimento
Management Officer
Karim.vissangy@akdn.org
Contacto: 968 630 150 ou 217 220 000/1
Eugenia Rato
Directora do Gabinete da Reitoria
Email: mrato@reitoria:ucp.pt
Contacto: 217265838
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Coinciding with MHI’s visit to Lisbon, there is an interesting article providing background info about the city. There is a cultural renaissance taking place there and our cultural institutions and well placed to make significant contributions to this process. In this respect MHI’s visit there could be significant for the future....

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/tr ... gewanted=1

Excerpt:

The last of the Western European capitals to experience a cultural bloom, Lisbon is avidly making up for lost time. All over the city, an upstart generation is laying waste to the sepia-toned stereotypes and gleefully constructing edgy and forward-looking ventures amid the time-worn monuments and quaint cobbled lanes.

"I remember being a kid and thinking, `Nothing happens in Lisbon. Why should we have to go abroad to see stuff happening and new stuff and to get inspired?' " said Nuno Pinho, 33, co-owner of a gallery called In-Cubo that opened last year. "Now there are so many things happening in Lisbon that you can't get to everything — concerts, exhibitions."

"It is not an old-fashioned city where the women still carry fish on their heads."
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

As received:

Subject: FW: Portugal Golden Jubilee Darbar Mubarakis
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008, 3:47 PM
"...He said Dr. will tell them that brocoli is good for them. He pronouced BROCCOLI in an Indian accent and the Jamat laughed so hard and he was laughing too. After a while He said that when you see that UGLY thing, you know it is brocoooooooooooli. It may make your legs shorter, ears big and give you 2 big whiskers and the Jamat laughed and clapped. Then again He mentioned that we will be soon watching OLYMPIC GAMES and instead of the winner of the 100m sprint will get up with his trophy and instead of saying BRAVO, STEROIDS, WILL SAY BRAVO, BROOOCOOOOLI! Again in a very funny accent..."

In a message dated 13/07/2008 12:29:25 P.M. Central Daylight Time, writes:

YAM to all of you.

HEARTIEST Mubarakis to you all for the most wonderful deedar experience we had this morning. It is 4.15 here and we just got back half an hour ago. Thank you all for your kind prayers and good wishes that we were so blessed today. We took a cab at 2.30 a.m. and got to the Hall at 2.45. Stood outside reciting salwats, ginans and zikr tasbihs. Got in for the security check at 4.15 or so. INT. Jamat then went through a different entrance and we stood in line till 5.45 a.m. They were serving nice hot masala tea and snacks but we did not want to lose out place so we stood where we were and just did Zikr.

Finally the doors opened at 5.45 and there was a special area for the INT. JAMAT. With mowla's rahem, infinite mercy and your kind prayers we got a place in front of the stage by the runner. Mowla came in at 10.30 and went to change and then came in. The moment He stepped out of the car, He seemed so bubbly, so happy . WE were all doing intense praying, zikr and were asked not to talk at all. J.K. was known as whispering Zone. Most people just closed their eyes and prayed. The atmosphere was so spiritual and so heavenly. Mowla walked slowly and kept on blessing the Jamat. He took His place on the GAADI and then Quran Ayat was recited and its TRANSLATION was given so well last night at J.K by an ALwaez from London., KARIM. HE was just so wonderful. He prepared us all very well. After the Ayat, meanings in Portuguese and English were given THen the JAMAT joined the reciters in singing YA ALI KHUB MIJALAS. That moment was just so emotional and so spiritual that for a moment you did not know where you were. Mowla was smiling all the time

Then after the usual ceremonies and the President's Speech,HE GOT up for the farmans. Blessings to all present, their families and Jamats. We thought of you all and in you were all in our hearts, thoughts and prayers and so was the CANADIAN Jamat. Blessings for the Ruhanis. Blessings for the Volunteers for the excellent job they had done and also for looking after the brothers and sisters from all over the world who had come for the celebration.

Economy slow down. 2-3 years for it to recover. Live prudently. UNITE with people with same professions and make the exit easy if need be. Thanked for Material nazarana and urged for TIME And Knowledge Nazarana and that will open up many opportunities in other countries.

Thanked the Portuguese Govt. for the according Him a very warm welcome. Mentioned about the signing of protocol with the Govt. which will help poor people in other countries. Wanted all to be happy, rejoice and keep smiling all day. He said the SMILE IS A BLESSING OF ALLAH. Worried about elderly as we are living a long life - ALHAMDULILAH AND he
wanted to make sure that they lived a very dignified life and had good company. Inshallah by the end of Jubilee year THIS challenge will be met. He was in a most jovial mood and He wanted us all to laugh, He said . He was mentioning about the eldery visiting Doctors and getting medicines and getting advice for diet etc. He urged jamat not to indulge in smoking or drugs. He said Dr. will tell them that brocoli is good for them. He pronouced BROCCOLI in an Indian accent and the Jamat laughed so hard and he was laughing too. After a while He said that when you see that UGLY thing, you know it is brocoooooooooooli. It may make your legs shorter, ears big and give you 2 big whiskers and the Jamat laughed and clapped. Then again He mentioned that we will be soon
watching OLYMPIC GAMES and instead of the winner of the 100m sprint will get up with his trophy and instead of saying BRAVO, STEROIDS, WILL SAY BRAVO, BROOOCOOOOLI! Again in a very funny accent.

He wanted to make sure we were all happy. He said, REJOICE, BE HAPPY AND ENJOY biriyani and samosa and play dandia raas, doing actions with his hands. He walked by us blessing everybody, went and changed and spent time with the non Ismaili spouses who were standing outside. Spent a lot of time with them and talked to them and shook hands with some. Others just stretched their hand s and mowla shook hands. He spoke to the little ones. I hope I am not forgetting anything . Just wanted to share the happy moments with you.

Kamal Taj really prepared us yeseterday with his poetry, power point presentations etc etc. YOU WERE all in our hearts, thoughts and prayers since we got in . Alwaez had specifically asked us to MAKE SURE WE ASK FOR THOSE WHO AR ENOT HERE, FAMILY, FRIENDS ETC ETC. MOWLA LITERALLY BAHU LAAD LADAYA AJE. I asked Mansur during all these jokes, bapa ke kuro thio aay. HE WAS JUST V.V. HAPPY AND IN A VERY JOVIAL MOOD. AFTER He left, we went for lunch and had samosa, garma garma beef biriyani, raito, monthar and fresh fruit salad. Then played raasda and got home . Will leave at 5 for dua at 6 p..m. Dandia till 2 in the morning. THE PORTUGAL JAMAT, specially the Lisbon Jamat has gone out of their ways to look after the International Jamat. The volunteers would not let you pick up your plate or any garbage. They will come with garbage bags and SAY, KACHRO, KHAALI BOTTLE ETC and smile . Wee ones 7 yrs old or so will grab a plate from you and say to you NA NA, if we tell them that we will take the dirty plates ourselves. They have really done too much for all and have been most polite, apologetic and have had smiling faces all the time . Inshallah we will reciprocate to our brothers and sisters when they come to Canada for the JUBILEE.

The non Ismaili security in the building were amazed to see the brother hood in our community. Mansur had lots of conversations with them. Inshallah will see you next week.

love and prayers
Nashir Calgary
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Post by Admin »

Today was the auspicious day Hazar Imam Darbar Deedar

Just points I remember

Hazar Imam arrived at 10.10 am .

He came inside the Darbar which was magnificently decorated and the stage hazar Imam,s throne was

gold & white.

Hazar imam went round the seniors chairs and half hallway.

Hazar Imam came in very very happily-

Mukhi kamadia presented chain Mehemani

Mukhiani Kamadiani presented Mehemani

and then a lady said Ayaat it was fabulous.

A man said ayat in english

and a Girl translated the ayat.

Then the Ginan Imamat day ginan

it was magnificent jamat all reciting with one voice.

National council prsident pledged Loyalty on behalf of Jamat

Hazar mam accepting all came to mike

Hazzar Imam farman today is darbar day and is the day of joy I want you all to be very

happy and smiling on your face. as today is your new day be happy

hazar imam blessed all the jamat for happiness, good health mushkil assan and all your wishes come true

Hazar Imaam farman economic, is going to be slow for atleast 3 years be very careful.

worried about poor jamat as the poor suffer more.

hazar imam emphasised in working in joint ventures, in professions and other business

but said my murid are Individualist.

Ethic and faith. if you cannot go to jamatkhana

take your tasbih say the name ya allah,hazarat ali or the name of the imams

donot make religion your part time but regular, take tasbih any time of the day



then hazar imam said i like to make fun with my jamat

said concious minded health and diet has become part of the life and said

worried what my young generation will be eating that ugly brocolli, which will make

their feet short and ears long and whiskers long actually hazar imam was showing with is hand

and the jamat laughed so loud and clapped claaped. though for the last three days missionary has been

making vaez not to clap when hazar imam is making farman, but hazar imam himself

was so amuzing could not help laughing and claping and hazar imam enjoyed too. it was magnificent awesome cannot

explain how the jamat and hazar imam laughed-



then hazar imam said the 100 meter spinster will not say bravo steroids but will say bravo bro c o l l i

again jamat laughed louder.

hazar imam was presented with china crystal plate, hazar imam said everybody loves china.again jamat laughed-

hazar imam said tonight you will be playing dandiyaraas, i will be with you enjoy

and the samosas and biriyani and mowla laughed and jamat laughed too

lunch was samosas and biriyani

hazar imam again blessed jamat and went round the hall, a little boy stretched his hand to hazar imam when he was walking

mowla gave him a quick hand too. bravo.

i am tired have been in jk since early morning 1 am doors opened 6 am you can guess where we were sitting

front row red runner international jamat wow did not have to look at tv mowla was right in front of us laughing

joking and smiling and blessinfg us, and came right near us, it was spiritual magnificent deedar

mubaraki to you all

remembered you all and also prayed for you all.ameen

anything i rember later will write from landon.

infact i am sending you this email from airport, leaving for london.

love you all

mom & dad
sereya
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Post by sereya »

:lol: YAM, thank you everyone who was present for writing as when we read we feel that we were present. once again thank you, and god bless.
xaf
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OUTSTANDING PORTUGAL!!

Post by xaf »

I was indeed very joyous to note the following:

1. Many many people made it to Lisbon (despite the extremely late announcement). It was good to see the sacrifices and troubles that many of my fellow brothers & sisters took to come increase the splendour of Mowla´s Jubilees.

2. Our beloved Mowla was given a heartwarming welcome upon His arrival in Lisbon, including a dignified Guard of Honour and a mile-long avenua of Jamati members donning red and green caps and happily waving the My Flag and the Portugese Flag. Well done for this!

3. Good etiquette observed by my brothers and sisters at Mowla´s hotel (The Ritz). All jamati members obeyed instructions of the security, stood where asked and generally showed great cooperation. Our beloved Mowla responded to this through broad smiles, nods and/or waves everytime He entered and exited the lobby of the hotel. Here I must point out that our leaders made it very clear that jamat should not have been at the hotel at all, and should have awaited the darbar. They intimated that the jamat´s presence at the hotel was an invasion of Mowla´s privacy. I disagree strongly. Mowla selected a public hotel as His residence during His stay in Lisbon. Members of jamat who were also residing at the same hotel took the benefit of Mowla´s entries and exits through the lobby. Whilst in keeping with the instructions of the security, this I felt was within etiquette. It would have been an invasion of privacy if anybody had gone upto Mowla´s floor or upto His suite or had approached Him or disturbed Him whilst He was passing through the lobby. This did NOT happen. Therefore it was not correct of our leaders to make such a fuss and to openly infer that jamats´presence in the lobby was annoying and upsetting Mowla. Anyway hardly anyone listened because as I said Mowla´s smiles, nods and waves directly belied the words of the leaders. Many shukhranas to our beloved Mowla for having given us this invaluable opportunity of residing with Him and great benefit of so many glimpses in the lobby over His entire stay in Lisbon.

4. Most outstanding darbar was held on 13th July which in history is a significant date as you all know. Everything was well organised. The volunteers were extremely courteous and cooperative and above all our beloved Mowla was extremely happy and jovial throughout (see previous blogs written by my fellow brothers and sisters about jokes cracked by Mowla on broccolli!) I am so pleased to note that jamat has now begun clapping during the lighter moments of Mowla´s farmans and as we all saw in London as well as in Lisbon, the clapping made Mowla even more jovial, spurring Him on to crack even more jokes. Well done jamat and keep it up!

5. Mowla was given an emotional goodbye. Jamat in full attendance both in the hotel lobby and at the airport. Mowla left full of smiles, nods, waves and blessings of Khudahafeez to the jamat.

Therefore all in all Portugal Jubilee was wonderful, the only black spot as usual being presented by our esteemed leadershipwho once again angered the jamat with their outright untruths and underhanded behaviour at the hotel. I wish with all my heart that they will change their ways, now that they have openly seen how their efforts were thwarted by Mowla Himself, smiling, noding and waving at the jamat that they were desperately trying to get rid off, and insisting on two ocassions to pass through the spots where the jamat was gathered rather than the routes indicated by the leaders, which ofcourse, were designed to make Mowla avoid and bypass the jamat. Moreoever, Mowla also mentioned in His farman that our faith is not a faith of pain, nor is it a faith of hatred, nor should it be a faith of anger......

With luv to all.
Xaf.
ShamsB
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Hazar Imam comment about the next visit.

Post by ShamsB »

I was told this by a number of people - in Lisbon, that one of the leaders asked Hazar Imam about his next programme - the next visit - and Hazar Imam responded by saying - Ask the Canadian Jamat they seem to know my plans better than I do.


Shams
kmaherali
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Post by kmaherali »

Sunday, 13 July 2008

Mawlana Hazar Imam addresses leaders gathered at a dinner hosted by the Jamati institutions of Portugal in his honour. Photo: Zahur Ramji
This morning the Jamat of Portugal, together with murids from around the world, gathered at Parque das Nações in Lisbon for Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee Darbar.

In the afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with the Minister of Social Solidarity, Vieira da Silva.

Later in the evening, the Jamati institutions of Portugal hosted a dinner in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam.

Additional photos are available in the photo gallery. Further updates on Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee visit to Portugal will continue to be posted at TheIsmaili.org.



Saturday, 12 July 2008

Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, D. José Policarpo, walk together through the gardens of the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon. Photo: Gary OtteThis morning Mawlana Hazar Imam visited the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon, where he received the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Mariano Gago. Later, Hazar Imam was joined by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, D. José Policarpo.

Following their meeting, Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Cardinal Patriarch witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP) and the Aga Khan University (AKU) by the Rector of the UCP and the President of the AKU. Also present was the Minister for Culture, José António de Melo Pinto Ribeiro.

In the evening, Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Prince Rahim, hosted a reception at the Ismaili Centre for diplomats, leaders of government and civil society institutions in Portugal.

Also see the related press release and photos at the AKDN website.
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Post by Admin »

AS RECEIVED

Ya Ali Madad to all:

first and foremost: Didar Mumbarakis to all. Next: our MHI has sent His
best loving blessings to you all, individually. Via this email, Anis and
I wanted to convey this to you as part of our duty and also will try to
give you the jist of His message to us.

The total number of murids in attendance was about 10 to 11,000. MHI
looked a little pensive in the beginning but soon became amazingly jolly
and happy. Some people remarked that they observed it seemed his hand
was hurting him as he was constantly rubbing it. We were rather far to
see that for ourselves.

His message was pretty similar for the most part. At the outset He
complimented and blessed the volunteers (who in our opinion have worked
very hard and have done a great job for so small a jamat) He said Islam
is not a religion of Anger or Hatred or Pain. It is a faith of Happiness
and he wanted us to be happy in our lives and smiles on our faces ALL
THE TIME. He reiterated the 3 pillars of this Golden Jubillee: to help
and care for the Aged, to fight poverty and to have better Imamat
Institutions in place, by the end of the Jub year, to build
Institutional Capacity.

He spoke with great emotion about His delight with the nazrana from the
jamat esp the TKN.....He wants best practices instituted everywhere. We
have never seen Him speak so fervently about the TKN and the need to
help the jamat and institutions globally.

He thanked the Portugesee Govt and was very happy that they had agreed
to an agreement to help and work with Islamic and Muslim issues as they
arose in the world from now on, to work with His Imamat and
Institutions. He spoke most warmly about Portugal and said this
understanding was remarkable given that Portugal was essentially a
Catholic country.

Then he briefly mentioned the evils of Smoking and Drugs, next he became
very very jolly......he started to expound, in a very funny way to talk
about the benefits (as the doctors and dietiticians say) of eating
BROCOLLEE. He said this word with hand action and using an Italian like
accent. He remarked how short and stubby BROCOLLEE was and even had
whiskers. He said jokingly that it was an ugly vegetable but it might be
extraordinary if the winner of the Beijing Olympics in the 100 metre
sprint won not because of steroids but because of BROCOLLEE.
Admittedly, Anis and i have not been to many darbars but we would like
to convey to us that we have never seen MHI being so funny and have the
murids in ongoingly fits of real loud laughter.......it was amazing how
MHI used this one word or vegetable and using his fantastic language and
hands conveyed such fun and laughter to us.

He reminded us on the basic principles of our faith and that we should
take the name of Allah, Hazrat Ali and the Imams as prayer at any time,
not just when it was prayer time.

He said that the next 2 to 3 years would be economically difficult and
that we should use Wisdom and Foresight. That we should build
associations with others in similars businesses and professions and work
together rather than being INDIVIDUALISTIC.He said jokingly He wished we
would not be so INDIVIDUALISTIC However He said that there should be
fair exits for those who wanted to leave these groups and that the
proper papers should be in place to have this.

He spent lots of time with the large non Ismaili crowd outside....it was
extraordinary how much time He gave to talking to so many who had stood
outside the hall. He shook hands with many and joked with them
smilingly. They were reaching out to touch him and shake His hand. There
were not many sick and disabled in the corner of the hall and He walked
among them on His way out and stopped to bless one of them.

Once again mumbarakis to you all. We hope you have see this as you start
your day there today (its now 6 am in Calgary as we write this) and
smile and be happy as our beloved Bapa wants us to be.

Kindest regards from us in Lisbon.
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Post by Admin »

http://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/9464.html

Aga Khan visits Portugal
• 17 Jul 2008 •

THE Aga Khan, Imam of the Shia Ismaili Moslems, has visited Portugal at the formal invitation of the government.

The Aga Khan's five-day visit to the country, which ended last Tuesday, was part of a series of visits around the world to mark his Golden Jubilee year, the 50th anniversary of his becoming the imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Moslems, an ethnically diverse community whose members reside in more than 25 countries, including Portugal.

During his visit, the Aga Khan held meetings with President Cavaco Silva, as well as with the president of the parliament and the prime minister.

His schedule also included meetings with the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, the former president Jorge Sampaio.

On the second day of his visit, the Aga Khan signed an Agreement of International Co-operation between the Ismaili Imamat and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

During the past 50 years, the Aga Khan has overseen the growth of one of the largest private development networks in the world.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is engaged in a wide range of activities in various fields, including education, healthcare, rural development, and cultural and economic development.

These activities, which are undertaken in some of the world's poorest regions are aimed at the common good for all citizens, regardless of their race, gender or religion.

The work of the Aga Khan Development Network is well recognised internationally and is undertaken under the auspices of its nine agencies as well as in partnership with governments and many leading multilateral agencies.

In 2005, a protocol of co-operation was signed between the Ismaili Imamat and the Government of the Republic of Portugal. In the same year, the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal and the Patriarchate of Lisbon formalised a Partnership Agreement that provides the framework for co-operation in an innovative urban community support programme, designed to tackle social exclusion and urban poverty.

The Aga Khan University and the Catholic University of Portugal earlier signed an agreement of collaboration as part of their efforts to foster scholarly understanding between diverse cultures.
http://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/9464.html
ABD50
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Testimony from a family member

Post by ABD50 »

AS RECEIVED
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YAM and greetings to all in Nairobi.
Hope all is well down there now.
We had a very good darbar here. Bapa was really happy and cracked many jokes, especially about broccoli. I thought of all of you during the deedar and prayed to Bapa to bless you all as well. I will send you the farman when I get a copy.
Just want to share this one experience I had:
After the darbar, I was on duty outside, near the group of non-ismaili spouses who had been gathered a short distance away from Bapa’s car. Bapa spent about 20 to 30 mins in his lounge. When he came out, he was very very happy and all smiles. He stopped to speak to the Scouts who were lined up on the side. As he did this, he moved his hands about a lot and I could see he was really smiling. When he moved away, I saw a small purple flower in his hand. Maybe one of the scouts gave him. Bapa walked past his car to the non ismailis. Again he was really smiling as he walked along the entire group, stopping from place to place to speak to them. As Bapa came closer to where I was standing, I could hear the words “Have a happy day” and “Unity in your families”. Then Bapa came towards the end of the group, very close to my spot. I could see him very clearly now. This is the closest I have ever been to Bapa physically! I even saw the colour of his eyes. They are brown.
Infront of me was a man holding a little boy. Bapa took the child’s hand in his and smilingly asked the man if this was his child. The man nodded and Bapa smiled at the boy. Then Chairmansahib of Portugal introduced another man to Bapa and said something about him. Bapa shook his hand and said thank you, thank you, I really appreciate everything you have done. If you need anything, please ask the council. I guess he must have given some donations. Then there was a group of three people standing next to him. Bapa turned to them and laughingly asked if they had enjoyed the jokes about that ugly vegetable broccoli that everyone was always asked to have. They smiled and nodded. Then Bapa turned towards his car but suddenly turned back, came closer to them and smilingly gave them very many blessings for happiness and wished them the best and then said goodbye to them and mentioned that he would see them soon. Bapa turned and went to his car and a few minutes later the car started moving and he came closer to the window and waved to all of us with both hands.
Abdulbhai, this was really a very wonderful chance!! I had tears in my eyes. I was so excited and happy. I also went up to the three people and congratulated them and told them they were very lucky. To my surprise, I found out that they were ismailis from Kenya! They had come out of the darbar hall to search for a taxi and some of my fellow volunteers asked them to wait over here until Bapa’s car departed and then they would help find them a taxi. What a wonderful chance they got. No wonder they were jumping up and down with excitement. Afterwards, I realised that no wonder Bapa started talking about broccoli to them. He knew they were ismailis. But ofcourse, Bapa is all-knowing na? I say lakho lakho shukranas for the very rare opportunity he blessed me with. Anyway Abdulbhai, take care and give my regards to nani and all the others and share with them this wonderful experience I had. Also, see if you can locate these three people from Nairobi. They were so excited I couldn’t get any more information from them but there were two women and one man. It seemed they were a family.
YAM.
Miss you all.
Karim.
kmaherali
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Post by kmaherali »

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Last edited by kmaherali on Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
kmaherali
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Post by kmaherali »

INTERVIEW AGA KHAN

The Western world should accept that Islam does not separate the world from faith.

He considers himself a spiritual leader as opposed to a powerful businessman. He is interested in fighting poverty by promoting self-sufficiency to people and culture. He believes that calling upon faith in conflict situations affects all religions. The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, 71 years of age, rarely gives interviews. During his passage through Lisbon , some days ago, he spoke to P2.


By António Marujo and Faranaz Keshavjee

Courteous, ever smiling, those who are close to him say he is demanding. That is what happens in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of agencies working in fields such as micro-finance, rural development or even in lucrative sectors such as tourism, aviation, banking or industry. Shah Karim Al-Husseini. Aga Khan IV, as he designated by the Ismailis, took on the role of 49th hereditary Imam of the Time (since Prophet Muhammad), on July 11th 1957.

He was in Portugal , some days ago, to mark the conclusion of his Golden Jubilee.

PÚBLICO - Within the religious context, the term "your sanctity" is used when addressing a religious leader. Such is the case of the Pope or the Dalai Lama. In your case, Your Highness is...

AGA KHAN - yes, it is a secular title...

....you are invited by Governments, you have a diplomatic statute, you are known for your personal wealth...

....from what people say about my personal wealth. I can assure you that they do not have access to my accounts. I can also say that, if at any given time, the banks would lend me money based on what the news reports say, I would be very rich! (laughs). However, I could not compete with Mr. [Bill] Gates in this area, I can assure you.

Are we looking at powerful businessman or a religious Muslim leader?

No, I have nothing to do with entrepreneurship; in Islam, an Imam, whether Shia or Suni, has responsibilities, firstly for the safety of the community; secondly, he is responsible for the quality of material life, for the daily lives. The nature of Imamat is, therefore, of becoming involved in activities which will have a direct impact on the quality of people's lives.

If this work is undertaken under the name of Aga Khan it is undertaken in the name of the Imamat and not under the Aga Khan's personal name. I have undertaken some personal initiatives is several companies, but do not hold anything which may have resulted from them, because I have other issues which I am concerned with.

Don't you really have anything?

The only thing which is still private is a long tradition in the organisation of horse racing and horse breeding, which my children have given continuity to. But I am not, or ever will be, an entrepreneur.

I am the sole shareholder of the Aga Khan Development Network, but I never withdraw dividends, because the objective is to serve from the resources, and not to make them personal. The notion that an institution carrying the name Aga Khan is personal is incorrect. Whether it be a University, a school or a project in the field of micro-finance.

In 1976, you mentioned that Prophet Muhammad understood the importance of new solutions for the daily lives that would not affect the principles of Islam. Does this motivate the undertakings of the AKDN?

Definitely. Firstly, the notion of dealing with poverty. Islam has a group of very strong orientations on how to help people, which is different (no more or less better) from the Christian world. For example, in Islam, we do not use the terms philanthropy or charity [as in Christianity].

Islam says that the best form of charity, to use the term, is by helping people to become self-sufficient. It is to give in such a way that the person becomes master of one's own destiny. This is a very clear affirmation to all Muslims, and it underlies our health programmes, education...it is helping people to help themselves. The same is applicable to micro-finance. Whatever the need of the poor, one should help to resolve it. One does not specify material poverty, disease, or divisions within the family.

Does daily life carry the same importance as eternal life?

In Islam, they are the same thing. One cannot separate faith from the world. This is one of the greatest difficulties that the non-Muslim world has, because the judaic-christian societies developed with that notion of separation. For the Muslims, that separation is not possible. We are expected to live our faith every day, in every hour.

One of the difficulties that we are facing in the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds, is the articulation of the difference in values in a comprehensive form. However, this does not mean that we are in conflict. They are just different values.

One of the differences is laicality, debated in countries such as as Portugal , Turkey , France . For many, faith should remain confined to a private space. You mentioned that Islam doesn't separate faith from the world. How do you perceive this notion?

I would like the non-Muslim societies to accept the values of Islam. If Islam says that we do not separate the world from faith, the Western world should accept that. I would go further and say: it is a wonderful way to live! It is an extraordinary blessing to be able to live our faith everyday! Making ethic the way in which you live your daily life, and not only in occasions such as death, a marriage or a birth.

I am not criticising anyone. I am saying that secular society, by the nature of secularity and the demands of time, provokes in people the need to first place the world and faith after. This is not a part of Islam.

Upon receiving the Award for Tolerance from the Tutzing Evangelic Academy , in Germany , you stated: "Instead of shouting at one another, we should listen to each other and learn from each other". You said that "fear is the source of intolerance". In spite of your words and those of several religious leaders, many believers do not listen to this message. What is yet to be done?

There will always be limits in inter-religious dialogue, when religions, in their essence, cannot attain a consensus above a common platform, when proselytism is, therefore, worth more. There are several forms of proselytism and, in several religions, proselytism is demanded. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the principle of a cosmopolitan ethic, which is not an ethic oriented by faith, or for a society. I speak of an ethic under which all people can live within a same society, and not of a society that reflects the ethic of solely one faith. I would call that ethic, quality of life.

I have serious doubts about the ecumenical discourse, and about what it can reach, but I do not have any doubts about cosmopolitan ethics. I believe that people share the same basic worries, joys, sadness. If we can reach a consensus in terms of cosmopolitan ethics, we will have attained something which is very important.

The Qu'ran has a very important ayat [verse], in which God says: "I have created you" - "you" means mankind - "male and female, from one sole, only one soul". This is the most extraordinary expression on the unity of the human race. It is within this context that we must work.

In Lisbon , a couple of weeks ago, Rabi René Sirat suggested a sort of G8 of religious leaders. Could this be a good idea, for the progress of inter-religious dialogue?

Inter-religious dialogue, yes, but I would prefer that it be based upon a cosmopolitan ethic. It would have to include non-believers. Because I am talking about human society and I cannot judge an individual's belief at any given time, in his life or mine. My experience is that belief is not necessarily constant; it varies according to age, to one's circumstances and the family in which one was educated.

In religions such as Islam or Christianity, torment and pain are a part of faith. In Shiism and other Muslim groups, martyrdom has thus been viewed. How must one live Islam?

We should firstly look at the notion of martyrdom which has been expressed, in all religions, as an individual's effort to defend is faith. Martyrdom is the response to an attack - here, you had the Inquisition, for example... I do not believe that currently Islam is under attack. There are primarily political and not theological issues, which were bred from political conflict, and were afterwards connected to religious aspects. And that is true for Northern Ireland or the Middle East .

Islam is different. If we are happy, as Muslims, we should thank God for our happiness. God reflects his presence, not only through suffering in human life, but through happiness, through friendship. There is no requisite that says a Muslim cannot be a happy person. One can find expressions of happiness in the Qu'ran, we do not, in any way, face happiness as unreligious.

The Ismailis are known as a very generous community in material terms. However, during these Golden Jubilee celebrations, you have introduced the notion of Time and Knowledge. What is it about?

In Shia Islam, intellect is a key component of faith. Intellect allows us to understand the creation of God. We live in a world in which there is increasingly more information that people can employ. The question is, how we access it and how we employ it. In many countries in which we work, in Africa and in Asia , there is a colonial history, and they are facing difficulties in overcoming that history to the history of today and the objectives for tomorrow.

One of the ways to solve the problem is through institutional and human enablement, so that society can create its own knowledge base, through universities, research, etc. Sharing time and knowledge is saying that I will make available the knowledge that I have to those people who, otherwise, would not have access to it. One would make it available in such a form that this knowledge could be employed in building capacities for the future, which can happen in many different forms: joint research, teachers teaching in a school over a couple of years in order to increase the quality in teaching mathematics, financial institutions that develop products for micro-finance.

Do you restrict the concept to these fields?

I would like to see the employment of time and knowledge in areas which we desperately need. One of these is government. The constitutionality of the developing world is one of the fundamental weaknesses. We see this is Africa, in Asia : the constitutions were built in such a way that they do not correspond to the demographical structures or to the political structures of these countries. And governments are suffering from increasing difficulties.

These are areas that we desperately need, in order to promote good governance, the quality of medicine or education. During the 50's and 60's, we faced a conflict of dogmas, between the Soviet empire's communism and the West's capitalism. The debate about development was developed around numbers.

As in, for example?

One would ask: how many people had access to education or health services. No one wondered whether the teaching was so bad that it became useless. Or whether healthcare was so horrible that people were paying for treatments they should never pay for. Or where the best minds were going, who was leaving their country because there weren't institutions concerned with quality. One of the things we want to do in AKDN, is try to build quality in our institutions [see P2 days 6, 8, 10, 21 July].

The late (Pakistani President) Zia ul-Haq, when delivering the letter for the Aga Khan University , only demanded three conditions. One of them was: "Give Pakistan a medical science faculty where the graduates obtain degrees that are worldly recognised." A country with 140 million inhabitants had courses in medicine that were not recognised anywhere else.

In Paris , during the month of June, you mentioned a notion of habitat from a cultural point of view and in benefit of the poor. Is culture, as a synthesis of all the dimensions in life, more important than the economy, which has been attributed so much value?

Culture has a very important impact in people's perception about the legitimacy of pluralism. We can see that in many recent crisis in Africa and Asia , when there were conflicts amongst the communities, one of the main targets were the cultural expressions of those communities...

As in the Buddhas of Bamiyan, in Afghanistan ...

....culture is perceived as the property of a given community. If we protect the pluralism of cultures, we are protecting the notion that pluralism is a part of human society and of our history.

One of the first things that the poor do, from the moment in which they can save, even in small quantities, is to spend their savings in the betterment of their habitat. They put metal roofs on African huts, they consolidate the buildings in urban peripheries. The habitat's quality is an indicator of the quality of life.

One of the major problems is knowing whether the progress in the quality of the habitat is technically safe and intelligent. In many cases, it is technically unsafe, because people do not understand how one progresses from an unintelligent habitat to an intelligent one. You can observe this in the coastal areas of Africa and Asia, or in the seismic regions of Asia . Although habitats vary, they do not contemplate technical changes as they should.

So, culture is important?

Yes, culture is important. People invest in their habitat as an example of the quality of life. And, yes, there are enormous problems in changing the habitat whilst quality of life. I am very frustrated: if I look at the map of the Islamic world, there is a massive concentration of Muslims in the most seismic regions in the world. But what do we learn? Can we make people live differently? Can they build differently? Can they can move from high risk areas and valleys to low risk areas?

In Professor Daftary's book about the history of the Ismailis [edited by the Catholic University ], he writes that Sunni Islam is responsible for the notion that Islam is monotheistic (monolithic?). We know that Islam is plural, but what is specific about Ismailism?

It is part of the Shia tradition, and not Sunni. It also has a living Imam, who is the Imam of the Time, as opposed to other Shia traditions, which presently do not have a living Imam. Thirdly, it has a very international community, with its own pluralism. We have traditions which co-exist with this time, but with different histories: that of Central Asia, of Pakistan , and the Indian sub-continent, of Syria ... Therefore, we have to bring them together: we teach our faith in seven different languages because of this pluralism.

However, in the Islamic world, as in the Christian world, there have existed attempts of normativism - that is, the imposition of a unique perspective within the ummah [community of believers]. That has been rejected since the time of the Prophet, because he himself acknowledged that, in his time, diversity in the interpretation of faith already existed. If you read the hadith [teachings of the Prophet], you will note that he was called upon many times, by the members of the Muslim community, to interpret the Qu'ran or a specific ayat.

Then, there can be various interpretations?

The diversity in interpretation is something that is inherent to human society. The attempt to normativise has a very little chance to succeed and it would be unethical to the essence of Islam. There is a very famous ayat in the Qu'ran that says: "To yourself, your faith. To myself, my faith." There is a great debate about whether this ayat refers to the intra-Muslim relationship or to the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. But the ayat is there!

In many occasions, the name of God is used for certain acts of violence. Why don't religious leaders speak out about these situations?

We do it. In societies where a particular vision is being imposed, we have contributed for that not to occur. But we do act, we just don't mention that we did this or that. We are a discreet community, it is one of our traditions.

The use of faith in a conflict situation unfortunately affects all religions. In India there are Hindus fighting against Muslims, in Northern Ireland there are Catholics fighting against Protestants, In Afghanistan, Shias against Sunnis. Unfortunately, it is a part of faith; better yet, they are emanations of faith. Personally, I would prefer it if pluralism was valued, instead of fighting it.

What can one do to overcome conflict?

Where conflict exists, one must procure a mediated solution. Everything we do should be in the sense of preventing situations from becoming conflicts. However, there are cases where the forces in action are out of our control. These forces are fear, insecurity, communities who think they are at risk and therefore react, out of fear.

There is a second reason: the iniquity of society. There are desperately poor isolated communities. They look for solutions, but always accuse those who they understand as the reason for their despair. What we do, is anticipate where these forces may become dangerous, by trying to overcome the problem of extreme poverty and of despair. We have done it and, in some cases, we have succeeded.

Faith is sometimes used to justify war, but in most cases faith is not the cause, there are other forces, to which faith is added. When that happens, it is much more difficult to overcome.

In Islam, as in Christianity, the role of the female has been debated. There are people who say that they would like to see your daughter, Princess Zahra, as the next Imam. However, tradition claims it has to be the eldest son...

As far as I know, there is no Muslim community in history that has had a woman as Imam.

In that case, we can never see a woman as Imam?

Absolutely not. However, women in our society are capable of developing a leadership role. Zahra studied at Harvard, has worked in the sense of helping to create capacities in various parts of the world. She is the first woman in my family with a university education, and I would hope that the future generations will refer both to men and women.

I do not want you to perceive that women are not valued. Women are very, very valued. If you look at the history of Islam, Khadija, the Prophet's first wife, had an extremely important role, both in his spiritual life, as in his worldly life.

How are the projects which you have launched in Portugal ? Can we expect to have, in Lisbon , a school of excellence as part of your network of academies?

Portugal is a very important country...

Is that why you have come to celebrate your Golden Jubilee?

I have been to several other places. But Portugal has very important factors: in the Portuguese society, pluralism is a social construction which functions and that is relevant in any society, whether it be industrial or of any other kind. Secondly, there is a political wish to recognise the structures of faith and to give them an appropriate role in society.

The third reason is that Portugal has an extraordinary history and the country understands pluralism. The majority of Portuguese history has been its involvement in pluralism over centuries, in your history there is an acceptance of difference. What we now want to do with Portugal is to reflect over issues which we want to deal with in the future.

And what are they?

One of them is the relation between Europe , or the Western world, with the rest of the Muslim world, to do everything we can to work together and to enable mutual understanding. An institution such as the Academy would bring people together in a pluralistic education, with curricular contents that would not necessarily be part of the standard education in Portugal . Therefore, we work with the International Baccalaureate, to which other contents which we deem necessary are added.

We also want to build bridges, from the Portuguese institutions, to build civil society outside of Portugal . We have to look at the decades of governing fragility in Asia and in Africa , and probably elsewhere. One of the most creative forms of corresponding to this frailty is by building a civil society.

If you look towards Bangladesh today, the country has a very fragile government, but has progressed because civil society institutions are working. If you speak with Koffi Annan and ask him what are the resources that he was able to mobilise in Kenya , to unite [the Prime Minister Raila] Odinga and [President] Kibaki at the same table, he will tell you: civil society was the most powerful force.

And can Portugal help?

The majority of developing countries cannot build civil society as rapidly as would be desirable. Therefore, we have to get hold of it from everywhere we can. Portugal has a solid civil society! You are humble with that respect, but you shouldn't be.

We are very honoured and proud by the fact that the Portuguese government and its institutions want to work with us. We will do everything that is possible to establish this partnership. I believe it may even become a case study for other countries. You are very creative in relation to your perspectives for the future.

That is a great responsibility.

You know, that the smaller we are, the greater are our responsibilities. And this is true for the communities, it is true for the countries...
SARDINIA
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Post by SARDINIA »

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