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http://expresso.sapo.pt/sociedade/2017- ... s-na-Terra

Photos below Portuguese text and English version by Google Translate below photos [/b]

Um deus na Terra

16.09.2017 às 9h00


FOTO CHRISTOPHER LITTLE/AKDN
Aga Khan IV descende do profeta Maomé e é o líder espiritual de 15 milhões de fiéis muçulmanos, 10 mil dos quais vivem em Portugal. É um dos homens mais ricos e mais influentes do mundo, o qual tem tentado transformar à sua maneira e à do Islão. Está prestes a estabelecer residência em Lisboa. Será o novo sr. Gulbenkian
Alexandra Carita

Alexandra Carita

É o príncipe Karim Aga Khan IV. Mas chamam-lhe Sua Alteza. O título foi-lhe atribuído por Isabel II, a rainha de Inglaterra, logo depois de Karim, aos 20 anos, assumir o cargo de imã, o 49º imã dos 15 milhões de muçulmanos xiitas ismaelitas. Há cerca de um mês, a 11 de julho, iniciou as celebrações do seu jubileu de diamante e prepara-se para deixar a região de Paris e estabelecer residência em Lisboa.

É um dos homens mais ricos do mundo, dizem as revistas estrangeiras da especialidade, que há pouco tempo situavam a sua fortuna nos quase 14 mil milhões de dólares. Mas é ao mesmo tempo líder espiritual de uma comunidade que doa ao Imamato, que ele próprio gere, cerca de 10 a 12% do que ganha. São milhões e milhões que a Rede Aga Khan para o Desenvolvimento (Aga Khan Development Network — AKDN), uma espécie de Nações Unidas privadas, como já foi descrita, põe ao serviço dos fiéis e da sociedade onde se inserem, em mais de 25 países situados maioritariamente na Ásia Central, na África Subsariana, no Médio Oriente, na Europa e na América do Norte.

Com funções múltiplas e muito além da orientação religiosa e da interpretação do Corão, Karim Aga Khan tem a seu cargo a educação cívica da comunidade, que o adula. Significa isso cuidar do seu bem-estar e guiá-los no sentido de criarem os seus próprios meios de subsistência e as suas carreiras com base nessas orientações. “Os meus deveres são bem mais latos do que os do Papa. Ele só tem de se preocupar com o bem-estar espiritual do seu rebanho”, disse um dia. O príncipe Aga Khan encaminha os seus fiéis em termos de educação e saúde, bem como de finança e economia, valores éticos e sociais. Um rol de áreas que a constituição que criou em 1986, ratificada em 1998, descreve com clareza e faz seguir em todo o mundo e em todas as comunidades através de conselhos nacionais. Portugal não é exceção. No país vivem quase 10 mil ismaelitas, sobretudo na zona da Grande Lisboa, e Aga Khan não tem deixado de investir em terras lusas com protocolos assinados em várias áreas, da ciência à cultura, passando pela educação e pela sustentabilidade.

“A assinatura do acordo histórico entre o Imamat Ismaili e a República Portuguesa para estabelecer em Portugal a sua sede é um marco histórico nos nossos 1400 anos de história. Partilhamos com Portugal os valores da tolerância na diversidade de comunidades e culturas e temos um imenso respeito pelo compromisso do país em partilhar conhecimento para a melhoria das comunidades em todo o mundo”, diz Karim Aga Khan ao Expresso.
No Paquistão, em 1970, numa visita a uma escola fundada pelo avô Aga Khan III

No Paquistão, em 1970, numa visita a uma escola fundada pelo avô Aga Khan III

FOTO CUMBER STUDIOS/AKDN

Essa é a razão por que foi aqui, no Palacete Henrique Mendonça (antiga Reitoria da Universidade Nova de Lisboa), que o príncipe decidiu criar a primeira sede física para o Imamato, que sempre funcionou através de um secretariado que acompanha o imã na sua residência mais perene, ultimamente Aiglemont, a 40 quilómetros de Paris. Um castelo luxuoso, como as outras moradias de Sua Alteza — nomeadamente na Sardenha e em Genebra —, que nos seus 40 hectares de terreno vê crescer os puros-sangue mais caros das corridas de cavalos mais prestigiantes do mundo. É a criação destes animais de pedigree, aliás, um negócio nas mãos da família há mais de um século, que oferece a Karim grande parte da sua fortuna pessoal (mas o dinheiro chega-lhe também do ramo imobiliário, que domina em todo o mundo).

São famosos os jockeys do domínio de Chantilly trajados a rigor com as camisas de seda verde e vermelha, as cores do Imamato. Como são famosas as aparições do príncipe no Prix Diane, a corrida anual que marca em França, no mês de junho, o troféu mais apetecido da modalidade. Esse ponto alto europeu das corridas de cavalos acontece num domingo, e esse é um dia sagrado para ver Aga Khan, tão raras que são as suas apresentações públicas mundanas. Sexta-feira passada, dia 1 de setembro, abriu uma exceção e apareceu em público em Almancil, no Algarve, para festejar com o amigo Francisco Pinto Balsemão o seu 80º aniversário.

O príncipe sempre foi alvo do interesse desmedido da imprensa cor de rosa e muito sobre ele se escreveu, tanto sobre a sua predileção por barcos e iates como sobre as suas pretendentes, mulheres e divórcios milionários.

Karim tem quatro filhos de dois casamentos. Em 1968, apaixonou-se pela esbelta Sally Chrichton, uma modelo alta e loira, que conheceu em Gstaad. Casou com ela no ano seguinte, e nasceram três filhos: Zahra, Rahim e Hussain. Os três trabalham hoje na Rede Aga Khan para o Desenvolvimento em cargos de relevo, desde a direção do departamento social ao sector ambiental, passando pela gestão do Fundo para o Desenvolvimento Económico. Já com os filhos criados, porém, o casamento terminou. Estávamos no ano de 1994. Logo em 1995, Karim Aga Khan IV voltou a casar, desta vez com a princesa germânica Gabriele zu Leiningen, que depois de uma curta carreira como estrela da pop trabalhava na altura como consultora da UNESCO. Cinco anos mais tarde, em 2000, nascia Aly Muhammad, que não veria os pais juntos durante muito tempo. O divórcio fez correr muita tinta e muito dinheiro e foi capa de imensos tabloides, mas não afastou o príncipe dos amores.
Em Porshniev, no Tajiquistão, em 2008, com membros da comunidade ismaelita

Em Porshniev, no Tajiquistão, em 2008, com membros da comunidade ismaelita

FOTO AKBAR HAKIM/AKDN

“Tomo todo o tipo de precauções quando saio com amigos. Aprendi a não mostrar qualquer tipo de emoção em público. Nunca me sento ao lado de uma mulher a quem a imprensa me quer associar”, disse em tempos numa entrevista. Nessa altura, ainda punha os pés fora de casa. Mas a vida ensinou-o. O correio chegou a ser-lhe violado, os funcionários entrevistados, amigos pessoais tiraram-lhe fotografias na sua própria casa e venderam-nas a revistas interessadas e até foi chantageado por telefone. Hoje e há já muito tempo que não sai. Tem uma vida recatada. Não bebe e não fuma. E dedica todo o seu tempo ao cargo que o avô paterno lhe atribuiu tinha ele 20 anos.

Estudante em Harvard, Karim ansiava por se especializar em História, na vertente de História da Religião Islâmica, em 1957, quando no início de abril recebeu uma curta intimação do avô, já com 79 anos de idade. “Vem ver-me!”, nada mais, nada menos. O jovem voou para perto de Cannes, no sul de França, onde este residia. E só voltou à universidade 18 meses depois, já como Aga Khan IV. Era a primeira vez que a hereditariedade do líder ismaelita saltava uma geração. O avô queria-o perto dele, pois pressentia a morte. Quando o seu testamento foi lido, a 11 de julho, o pânico abateu-se sobre o neto: “Foi um choque”, escreveu mais tarde. “Mas acho difícil que alguém na minha situação estivesse preparado”, adiantou numa entrevista de 2013 à revista “Vanity Fair”. A responsabilidade caía-lhe em cima, e o regresso a Harvard não passou de uma brincadeira. Karim estava fadado para liderar o povo ismaelita, e as suas funções começavam imediatamente, não se compadecendo com cursos ou cadeiras em atraso. Se é que não começaram antes. De abril até às primeiras horas do dia 11 de julho, quando o avô Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III faleceu, o jovem permaneceu a seu lado, mas nesse dia, assim que o advogado do avô chegou à casa perto do lago Léman para ler o testamento, soube o porquê de a escolha ter recaído sobre ele e não sobre o seu pai Aly.
Com o Presidente Kennedy, na Sala Oval da Casa Branca, em Washington, a 14 de março de 1961

Com o Presidente Kennedy, na Sala Oval da Casa Branca, em Washington, a 14 de março de 1961

FOTO ROBERT KNUDSEN/AKDN

“Foi sempre tradição na nossa família que cada imã escolha o seu sucessor na mais absoluta discrição entre qualquer um dos seus descendentes, sejam eles filhos ou não. De acordo com as grandes alterações do mundo, o que provocou muitas mudanças fundamentais, incluindo a descoberta da ciência atómica, estou convencido de que é do maior interesse para a comunidade ismaelita que eu seja sucedido por um jovem que foi criado e educado nos últimos anos e no centro da nova era e que trará uma nova visão da vida ao seu trabalho.” Assim justificou Aga Kahn III a escolha de Karim. No entanto, dizem as más línguas, o que ele não queria era um playboy no seu lugar.

A expressão pode ser um exagero, mas não deixa de ser várias vezes utilizada em relação a Aly Khan, o pai de Karim. Aly, o segundo filho da quarta mulher de Aga Khan III, a bailarina italiana Theresa Magliano, nascera em Turim em 1911. Tido como um dos mais interessantes e bem parecidos homens da sua geração, conheceu a sua primeira mulher era esta ainda casada. O ano era o de 1933, e ela era Loel Guinness, uma bonita aristocrata inglesa. Conta-se que na noite em que a encontrou pela primeira vez, num jantar dançante em Deauville, lhe segredou ao ouvido se queria casar com ele. O casamento viria a acontecer três anos depois, em maio, na magnífica Paris. Em dezembro desse mesmo ano, 1936, no dia 13, nascia Karim Aga Khan. Não tardaria muito a nascer o seu irmão Amyn, logo em 1937. Até onde reza a história, tudo bem. Mas é no pós-guerra que o galã Aly dá mais que falar. O seu romance com a estrela de Hollywood Rita Hayworth foi o apogeu de uma vida de grandes aventuras. Conheceu-a em 1948, em plena Riviera francesa, tinha esta acabado de se divorciar do cineasta Orson Welles e vinha substituir Pamela Harriman na vida do príncipe. Chegaram a casar, também em maio, a 27, e também em Paris, em 1949, e tiveram uma filha, a princesa Yasmin. Mas não foram felizes para sempre e separaram-se quatro anos mais tarde. E, em 1960, Aly Khan morria num acidente de viação, às portas de Paris.
Com Nelson Mandela, já Presidente da África do Sul, em Moçambique, em agosto de 1998

Com Nelson Mandela, já Presidente da África do Sul, em Moçambique, em agosto de 1998

FOTO GARY OTTE/AKDN

“As minhas responsabilidades religiosas começam a partir de hoje”, declarou Karim a seguir à leitura do testamento, que chegou à Suíça numa caixa fechada enviada pelo Lloyds Bank de Londres. Contudo, nos primeiros sete anos do seu Imamato, ouviu e seguiu os conselhos da esposa do avô, como deixara também escrito Aga Khan III. “Durante a noite, a minha vida mudou completamente. Acordei com responsabilidades sérias para com milhões de seres humanos”, explicou numa entrevista dada em agosto de 1964. E, já em 2013, reconhecia que talvez não estivesse tão confiante assim. Na verdade, o avô “governara” durante 72 anos, ele tinha 20!

Não esqueceu, porém, que Aga Khan III iniciara as suas funções com sete anos apenas, numa Índia completamente britânica, antes de se mudar para a Europa, já depois de ter recebido da Rainha Vitória o mesmo título de Sua Alteza, corria o ano de 1886. Este cidadão britânico, tal como agora o neto, pelejou por melhores condições de vida para a sua comunidade e para os que lhe estavam próximos e não deixou de construir uma enorme rede de hospitais, escolas, bancos, mesquitas. No entanto, foi quando, já no início do século XX, chegou ao Velho Continente que tomou consciência de toda uma outra filosofia de vida, a de um mundo moderno que quis também doar aos seus fiéis. Com uma personalidade fora do comum e uma capacidade intelectual forte, passou a mensagem à sua comunidade. Entre os ismaelitas portugueses, há quem ainda se lembre bem de quando Aga Khan III disse aos seus que deveriam aprender inglês, “era a Europa um continente francófono”, ou quando chamou pela primeira vez a atenção para a igualdade de género. “Se tiverem dois filhos, um homem e uma mulher, e se só puderem dar educação a um deles, privilegiem as mulheres”, relembra Nazim Ahmad, representante diplomático do Imamat Ismaili em Portugal. A ideia era não só fazê-las evoluir geracionalmente de forma rápida como preservar a educação — a mulher como educadora e mãe é a sua principal transmissora. Adorado como ninguém, Aga Khan III viu o seu peso ser-lhe doado em ouro no seu Jubileu de Ouro, em 1936, na cidade de Bombaim, e depois em diamantes e platina, nos jubileus correspondentes.
Com a então primeira-ministra britânica Margaret Thatcher, na inauguração do Centro Ismaili em Londres, em 1985

Com a então primeira-ministra britânica Margaret Thatcher, na inauguração do Centro Ismaili em Londres, em 1985

FOTO DEREK ROWE/AKDN

O mesmo não aconteceu a Karim Aga Khan IV. Mas os seus jubileus têm sido marcados por donativos muitíssimo substanciais para as obras da Rede Aga Khan para o Desenvolvimento, que fundou há mais de cinco décadas. Este ano, em que se iniciam as comemorações do seu Jubileu de Diamante, as somas doadas pelos fiéis não foram contabilizadas, mas estima-se que sejam largas centenas de milhões. “Não se espera que um imã se retire da vida do dia a dia. Pelo contrário, dele é esperado que proteja a sua comunidade e contribua para a melhoria da sua qualidade de vida. Assim, a noção da divisão entre a fé e o mundo é estranha para o Islão. O Imamato não divide mundo e fé. E muito poucos compreendem isso fora do Islão. No Ocidente, os vossos sistemas financeiros são todos construídos segundo essa divisão”, explica o príncipe noutra entrevista, justificando ao mesmo tempo a preocupação constante com o bem-estar dos seus fiéis. A mesma afirmação serve ainda para fundamentar a existência de tanta riqueza e criação dela tanto na AKDN como na vida ativa de cada membro da comunidade, que se esforça sempre por uma vida melhor e menos carenciada.
No Paquistão, com os habitantes de Jaglot, perto de Gilgit, em maio de 1983

No Paquistão, com os habitantes de Jaglot, perto de Gilgit, em maio de 1983

FOTO CHRISTOPHER LITTLE/AKDN

Todas as diretrizes de Sua Alteza, de resto, vão nesse sentido. Se até 1995 os objetivos eram os de obter uma educação superior para o maior número possível de ismaelitas, hoje os mesmos objetivos, no que respeita ao campo educacional, são os de obter ensino superior de excelência para todos. Não é por acaso que Aga Khan tem vindo a criar as suas próprias instituições, desde as aAcademias às universidades (Universidade Aga Khan e Universidade da Ásia Central), abertas a toda a sociedade. Além delas, porém, uma nova diretriz toma conta das preocupações do príncipe: a educação parental, ou seja, aquela que tem início no ventre e se prolonga até aos 5 anos. É nessa idade que as crianças recebem mais estímulos intelectuais, cognitivos e motores, tornando-se essencial no seu desenvolvimento. Outra das suas prioridades é neste momento uma chamada de atenção para a saúde no campo das doenças psiquiátricas, neurológicas e oncológicas, além da normal medição dos parâmetros de saúde que sugere a todos os fiéis. Esta é só uma amostra do tipo de normas que Sua Alteza dita, muitas vezes em campanhas de sensibilização, mas que não deixam de ser levadas à letra. Já num raio de ação vasto, as prerrogativas para os próximos 10 anos incluem ainda o combate à pobreza e a mobilização dos jovens para a cidadania (construtiva, ativa e consciente). Para que se tenha uma ideia da precisão destas orientações, fique a saber-se que são impressos manuais escolares em Londres, no Instituto de Estudos Ismailis, que estabelecem os currículos muito bem fundamentados academicamente, depois traduzidos nas várias línguas das comunidades e que significam uma estandardização perfeita da comunidade a nível mundial. Em Portugal, decorrem atualmente, por exemplo, cursos de orientação de carreiras para alunos do 8º ano. É-lhes ensinado até como poupar para o acesso a escolas de nível elevado, onde as propinas são caras. A ideia é que nem financeiramente lhes esteja limitado o acesso.
Na Muralha da China, em outubro de 1981

Na Muralha da China, em outubro de 1981

FOTO GARY OTTE/AKDN

No entanto, Aga Khan IV trabalha diariamente a uma esfera global. O seu lema é o do pluralismo de culturas, credos e ideologias, e acredita que, aplicando estas noções básicas de ética, a sociedade pode evoluir, ajudando-se mutuamente. Acredita na solidariedade e na cultura do voluntariado. É nessa perspetiva que cria a AKDN, a operar em 30 países diferentes e empregando mais de 80 mil pessoas. Cinco centrais elétricas, companhias aéreas, empresas farmacêuticas, bancos, seguradoras, cadeias de hotéis de luxo, empresas de comunicação perfazem uma centena de empresas detidas pela Rede, que utiliza os seus lucros — cerca de 3,5 mil milhões de euros anuais — em benefícios das populações nos domínios do desenvolvimento social e económico e também cultural. Em pratos limpos, isto significa a criação e manutenção de fundos de crédito, de escolas e hospitais e ainda muitos postos de trabalho e micro/macroeconomias em países tão díspares como o Paquistão e o Afeganistão, onde ofereceram escolaridade às mulheres, por exemplo, até à Tanzânia, ao Mali, ao Burkina Faso, ao Uganda ou à Síria, à Índia, à Malásia e a Moçambique.
Com o Presidente Cavaco Silva, em junho de 2014

Com o Presidente Cavaco Silva, em junho de 2014

FOTO JOSÉ CARIA/AKDN

Karim Aga Khan recusa, porém, o epíteto de filantropo ou de praticante da caridade. Para o 49º imã, aquilo que faz é parte integrante do seu mandato e da sua responsabilidade de melhorar a qualidade de vida de todos os seus semelhantes de acordo com a ética do Islão. Pode parecer estranho ou ser de difícil compreensão para um ocidental a junção de dois mundos tão distintos: o espiritual e o material. É por isso que chamam a Sua Alteza com frequência capitalista crente. Ele explica-se de outra forma: “Todos nós já vimos exemplos da criatura mais maravilhosa de Deus, a pessoa, seja numa posição governamental, nos negócios ou numa agência de desenvolvimento privada, inspirada a contribuir generosamente de si próprio, a ir além dos requisitos mecânicos de uma tarefa. Tais homens e mulheres, remunerados ou não, expressam o espírito voluntário, literalmente a vontade de criar um produto melhor, uma clínica mais solidária e eficaz. O seu espírito, gerando novas ideias, resistindo ao desânimo e exigindo resultados, anima o coração de toda a sociedade eficaz.” É esse o seu credo, a sua crença mais profunda e a sua interpretação do Islão.

Um Islão muito especial. Aga Khan IV, o imã hereditário dos muçulmanos xiitas ismaelitas, é descendente direto do profeta Maomé, o último profeta enviado por Deus à Humanidade e aquele que revelou o Sagrado Alcorão. Acreditam os xiitas ismaelitas que, depois da morte de Maomé, Ali, o seu primo e genro, se tornou o primeiro imã, o primeiro guia espiritual da comunidade muçulmana, e que essa orientação hereditária continua através dos tempos. Ao longo de 14 séculos de história, têm assim seguido os imãs hereditários descendentes de Ali e de Fátima, filha do profeta Maomé.

Nessa qualidade, Karim calcorreia o mundo praticamente de lés a lés. Encontra-se com altos dignitários, chefes de Estado, líderes religiosos, políticos, embaixadores, homens de negócios, mas também gente humilde, carenciada, professores, médicos, populações inteiras... Nas reuniões constantes, dizem, é sempre um diplomata. Um diplomata no discurso mas um soberano nas decisões, conseguindo levar a sua avante em praticamente todas as circunstâncias, afiançam os que com ele têm trabalhado. Aga Khan participa ativamente em todas as iniciativas da AKDN, e não há embaixador seu que não seja por si nomeado, desde os seus mais próximos colaboradores aos “ministros” tutelares de cada comunidade, nomeados por três anos para levar a cabo as suas orientações em cada nação. Escolhe os terrenos para a construção das escolas, dos centros ismaelitas (seis em todo o mundo, sendo o de Lisboa o terceiro a ser criado), dos hospitais, das creches, dos museus, de tudo... Designa os arquitetos, acompanha a obra, de sapatos sempre — as galochas não lhe assentam bem, acredita, conta um colaborador seu. E talvez seja por isso que as solas dos sapatos se gastam literalmente até que lhe chamem a atenção para trocar de calçado, como relata a sua irmã. Ou talvez seja pela falta de tempo.
Cerimónia. Sua Alteza, Aga Khan, dirige-se aos membros da comunidade ismaelita no vale de Bartang, no Tajiquistão, a 25 de setembro de 1998

Cerimónia. Sua Alteza, Aga Khan, dirige-se aos membros da comunidade ismaelita no vale de Bartang, no Tajiquistão, a 25 de setembro de 1998

FOTO ZAHUR RAMJI/ AKDN

Sua Alteza não para um instante. Verdadeiro workaholic, vive praticamente dentro do seu avião privado, que comprou para economizar viagens e tempo — voa entre 450 a 600 horas por ano, o equivalente a dois meses de trabalho. Com ele vai muito pouca gente: dois assistentes e uma secretária chegam-lhe para fazer todo o trabalho. “Desde que deixei Harvard que viajo todos os anos pela comunidade espalhada pelo mundo. Quatro ou cinco viagens às populações, dependendo de onde há mais problemas e da urgência de eu lá estar ou não. Geralmente, são visitas a escolas e a hospitais, a centros desportivos ou a mesquitas, durante a manhã, e reuniões e encontros com líderes para planear o desenvolvimento futuro da comunidade, mais tarde. E devo dizer que estar ali por inteiro é muito, muito pesado, até para quem acompanha este tipo de digressões”, explicava numa entrevista de 1970. Vinte anos depois, em 1994, a sua vida não tinha mudado, afirmava ao “Paris Match”. Continuava a levantar-se às 6h da manhã e a trabalhar praticamente sozinho até às 10h. Depois, até ao meio-dia fazia o ponto da situação com o seu secretariado, e as reuniões começavam. Almoçava, e o ritmo mantinha-se intenso, prolongando-se muitas vezes noite dentro. Nessa altura, ainda se queixava de não poder sair para visitar amigos à noite, devido ao trabalho que o esperava no dia seguinte, logo cedo. Hoje, aos 80 anos de idade, não. A sua agenda continua lotada e ele a não delegar muita coisa nos seus colaboradores, mas queixas sobre falta de tempo livre não há. Nem sobre falta de nada.

De facto, a Karim Aga Khan IV não lhe falta nada. A sumptuosidade e o luxo conhece-os de cor. Trata por tu os bens materiais que quiser. No entanto, humilde por natureza, como conta o seu embaixador em Portugal, é mesmo conhecido entre os seus como forreta. E desde sempre. É o seu colega de quarto de Harvard o primeiro a falar, mas seguem-se-lhe a mãe, a irmã e os amigos. Não compra nada, dizem, nem um par de sapatos, nem um fato novo, só gravatas, todas iguais. E se tivesse, ou pudesse, deslocar-se sozinho, escolheria os transportes públicos e pouparia no carro, no seguro e na gasolina.

Não só de pão vive o homem, talvez respondesse se não fosse muçulmano. A verdade é que, introspetivo, Aga Khan carrega com ele um fardo que nunca fez transparecer, pesada herança e destino traçado, um mundo de gente que o segue e um novo mundo a construir. O que tem feito sempre e sempre lhe foi reconhecido.

Os milhões de Aga Khan em Portugal

LISBOA. O 49º imã escolheu Portugal para instalar a sede do seu Imamato e Lisboa para residir


FOTO AKDN

“Os olhos do mundo islâmico estão em Portugal. O país passou uma mensagem de pluralismo cultural e de abertura social única. O impacto vai ser enorme. A começar pelo investimento, que nos últimos 17/18 meses já andou na ordem dos milhões de euros só no ramo imobiliário e que pode chegar a valores astronómicos.” É assim que os representantes da comunidade ismaelita portuguesa reagem ao estabelecimento da sede do Imamato em Lisboa. Nazim Ahmad, embaixador do Imamato, Rahim Kassam, diretor executivo, Rahim Firozali, presidente do Conselho Nacional, e Karim Merali, administrador da Fundação Aga Khan Portugal, acreditam que o sinal dado pela República Portuguesa vai ao encontro da “ética cosmopolita” defendida pelo seu imã, Sua Alteza, o príncipe Karim Aga Khan IV. E não têm dúvidas de que o país vai estar no centro do mundo, depois de mais de quatro décadas no coração do seu líder. O anúncio foi feito em junho de 2015, logo depois de assinado um acordo com a República Portuguesa para a instalação da sede do Imamat Ismaili, e desde aí as expectativas são muitas, mas a emoção é ainda maior. Os ismaelitas portugueses olham para o acontecimento com júbilo e quase agradecem por viverem em solo nacional.

Foi o 25 de Abril que trouxe para Portugal a esmagadora maioria desses ismaelitas, hoje entre 8 a 10 mil no total da população portuguesa. E com eles recaiu sobre o país a atenção de Sua Alteza, o príncipe Aga Khan, que em 1983 fazia abrir em Lisboa uma agência da Fundação Aga Khan. Situada na Lapa, dedicou-se desde logo ao desenvolvimento social e à inclusão económica da população mais vulnerável e mais carenciada. A sua ação ao longo dos anos, contudo, especializou-se no apoio à educação e no desenvolvimento da infância, bem como no suporte do bem-estar da classe sénior. Mas desde 2004 o Programa Comunitário Urbano K’Cidade tem implementado, na Grande Lisboa, processos de trabalho que garantem a sustentabilidade das comunidades a longo prazo. Em 1996, a ligação da Fundação Aga Khan a Portugal estreitou laços com a constituição da mesma como uma fundação portuguesa por decreto-lei. Na mesma data, a construção do Centro Ismaili, nas Laranjeiras, também em Lisboa, trouxe por várias vezes Sua Alteza ao país. Foi Aga Khan IV quem escolheu o terreno onde este haveria de crescer e quem ditou a sua arquitetura. Como é ele quem nomeia os ministros que ali se reúnem em Conselho Nacional e que gerem e determinam as atividades e prioridades da comunidade ismaelita portuguesa. De resto, as atividades no país operam no âmbito dos acordos estabelecidos entre o Imamat e Portugal, em particular o Protocolo de Cooperação com o Governo de Portugal, assinado em 2005, o Memorando de Entendimento com o Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros, de 2008, o Acordo Internacional com a República Portuguesa, de 2009, e o Acordo com a República Portuguesa para o Estabelecimento da Sede do Imamat Ismaili em Portugal, em 2015.

“Em Portugal, sempre me senti em casa. Agora e em especial desde a assinatura, em 2015, de um acordo histórico entre o Imamat Ismaili e a República Portuguesa para o estabelecimento do acordo de sede, um marco importante nos 1400 anos de história do Imamat Ismaili. É o culminar da nossa relação longa e profunda em Portugal — uma relação que agora será ainda mais aprofundada”, diz Aga Khan IV no seu discurso de doutoramento honoris causa, que recebeu na Universidade Nova de Lisboa no passado dia 20 de julho. Esse aprofundamento da relação já começou com a assinatura do acordo de cooperação com o Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Educação Superior, no valor de 10 milhões de euros, em maio do ano passado, com a doação de 200 mil euros ao Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga para a aquisição do quadro de Domingos Sequeira “Adoração dos Magos”, ou com a contribuição de 500 mil euros para as vítimas do incêndio de Pedrógão Grande. Haverá muito mais, nomeadamente o investimento de 10 milhões de euros na criação de uma Academia Aga Khan na área da Grande Lisboa, cuja compra do terreno para a sua construção está por um fio. O acordo com a Câmara Municipal de Cascais para estabelecer a academia em Birre foi rompido à última hora. Os terrenos em causa estavam protegidos pelo Plano Diretor Municipal (eram terrenos agrícolas), mas, tendo em conta o propósito da fundação, a autarquia avançou com uma alteração ao PDM. O município de Cascais, a fundação Aga Khan e dono do terreno, o fundo imobiliário Lusofundo, chegaram mesmo a assinar um memorando de entendimento em 2014. Só que pelo caminho a fundação recuou na ideia. O proprietário do terreno não. A fundação Aga Khan declara, no entanto, que a “desistência ficou a dever-se ao facto de, a dada altura do processo, se ter apercebido de que uma parte das forças vivas locais não apoiava qualquer tipo de construção naquele local”. Também ainda por conhecer está a residência do príncipe em Lisboa. Das várias hipóteses que já lhe foram apresentadas, falta-lhe escolher a que mais lhe agrada. Dinheiro não é problema, como não foi para comprar o Palacete Henrique Mendonça (antiga Reitoria da Universidade Nova de Lisboa), onde se vai instalar a sede, por 12 milhões de euros.

“O acordo para o estabelecimento da sede do Imamat Ismaili em Portugal não embaraça o Governo português e não embaraça o imã. É como se diz na gíria um win win, ou seja, é extraordinariamente bom para o Estado e muito bom para o Imamat”, diz ao Expresso Nazim Ahmad, que acompanhou as negociações desde o início. “O entendimento foi muito franco e aberto, tudo decorreu com transparência, frontalidade e amizade”, avança ainda. “A consciência social e ética de Sua Alteza contribuiu para que assim fosse. Se não fosse um bom acordo para Portugal, o acordo não se faria. Aga Khan tem sempre em conta o que o país com quem negoceia vai beneficiar”, conclui Nazim. E se Portugal só tem a ganhar com a cooperação com o Imamat Ismaili, quer no que respeita a investimentos financeiros e criação de emprego quer no que se relaciona com a sua posição geoestratégica no quadro da política mundial, também Aga Khan tem muito a beneficiar com este acordo irrevogável nos próximos 25 anos, nomeadamente ao nível da isenção de impostos. Por exemplo, os rendimentos dos donativos oferecidos ao Imamat não pagam impostos, a remuneração do imã e dos altos funcionários do Imamat idem, os rendimentos com origem no estrangeiro também não. O Imamat e Aga Khan podem comprar e vender imóveis sem pagar IMI, IMT ou selo, desde que ligados às funções diplomáticas, como de resto acontece com a Igreja Católica; mas também podem transacionar carros, barcos e aviões sem pagar impostos sobre a compra, propriedade, registo, utilização ou venda. Com benefícios maiores do que os previstos na Lei da Liberdade Religiosa ao nível dos atributos aos Estados estrangeiros e aos seus corpos diplomáticos, que terão imunidade judicial (Imamat, imã, altos funcionários) e outras facilidades necessárias ao desempenho das suas funções, tais como tratamento cerimonial, residências com direito a inviolabilidade e proteção. Ainda em troca, o Imamat compromete-se a apoiar ativamente os esforços do Estado para melhorar a qualidade de vida de todos aqueles que vivem em Portugal. / A.C.

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Society
A god on earth

16.09.2017 at 09.00

PHOTO CHRISTOPHER LITTLE / AKDN

Aga Khan IV descends from the Prophet Muhammad and is the spiritual leader of 15 million Muslim believers, 10,000 of whom live in Portugal. He is one of the richest and most influential men in the world, which he has tried to transform in his own way and that of Islam. He is about to establish his residence in Lisbon. It will be the new mr. Gulbenkian
Alexandra Carita

Alexandra Carita

It is Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. But they call it Your Highness. The title was given to her by Elizabeth II, Queen of England, shortly after Karim, at the age of 20, assumed the position of Imam, the 49th Imam of the 15 million Ismaili Shi'ite Muslims. About a month ago, on July 11, he began celebrating his diamond jubilee and prepared to leave the region of Paris and settle in Lisbon.

He is one of the richest men in the world, according to foreign trade journals, which recently put his fortune at nearly $ 14 billion. But he is at the same time the spiritual leader of a community that gives to the Imamate, which he himself manages, about 10 to 12% of what he earns. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a kind of private United Nations, as it has been described, puts millions and millions at the service of the faithful and the society in which they are inserted in more than 25 countries mostly in Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America.

With multiple functions and far beyond the religious orientation and interpretation of the Koran, Karim Aga Khan is in charge of the civic education of the community, which flatters him. It means taking care of their well-being and guiding them to create their own livelihoods and careers based on those guidelines. "My duties are much wider than those of the Pope. He only has to worry about the spiritual well-being of his flock, "he said one day. Prince Aga Khan directs his faithful in terms of education and health, as well as finance and economics, ethical and social values. A list of areas that the constitution it created in 1986, ratified in 1998, clearly describes and follows throughout the world and in all communities through national councils. Portugal is no exception. Almost 10 thousand Ismailis live in the country, especially in Greater Lisbon, and Aga Khan has not stopped investing in Portuguese land with protocols signed in several areas, from science to culture, through education and sustainability.

"The signing of the historic agreement between Imamat Ismaili and the Portuguese Republic to establish its headquarters in Portugal is a historical milestone in our 1400 years of history. We share with Portugal the values ​​of tolerance in the diversity of communities and cultures and we have an immense respect for the country's commitment to share knowledge for the improvement of communities around the world, "says Karim Aga Khan to Expresso.
In Pakistan in 1970, on a visit to a school founded by grandfather Aga Khan III

In Pakistan in 1970, on a visit to a school founded by grandfather Aga Khan III

PHOTO CUMBER STUDIOS / AKDN

That is why the prince decided to create the first physical seat for the Imamate, which always functioned through a secretariat that accompanies the imam at his residence in the Palacete Henrique Mendonça (former rectory of the New University of Lisbon) more perennial, lately Aiglemont, 40 kilometers from Paris. A luxurious castle, like the other dwellings of His Highness - notably in Sardinia and Geneva - which on its 40 hectares of land sees the most expensive purebloods of the most prestigious horse races in the world. It is the creation of these pedigree animals, moreover, a business in the hands of the family for over a century, which offers Karim a large part of his personal fortune (but the money also comes to him from real estate, which dominates the world ).

The jockeys of the Chantilly domain are famously dressed in green and red silk shirts, the Imamato colors. How famous are the appearances of the prince at the Prix Diane, the annual race that marks the most sought-after trophy in France in June. This high point of European horse racing takes place on a Sunday, and this is a sacred day to see Aga Khan, so rare are his worldly public performances. Last Friday, September 1, he made an exception and appeared in public in Almancil, Algarve, to celebrate with his friend Francisco Pinto Balsemão his 80th birthday.

The prince has always been the subject of the overwhelming interest of the pink press and much of it has been written about both his predilection for boats and yachts and his suitors, women, and millionaire divorces.

Karim has four children from two marriages. In 1968, she fell in love with the slender Sally Chrichton, a tall blond model who knows
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THE BLOG
The Aga Khan Deserves The Nobel Peace Prize
There has been a distilled media narrative involving partisan politics when mentioning him. Lost in all the noise is his incredible humanitarian legacy.


The Global Center for Pluralism — a joint initiative by the government of Canada and the Aga Khan — hosted its inaugural awards gala in Ottawa on Wednesday. The Aga Khan presided over the ceremonies along with former prime minister Joe Clark and Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin. This event underscored the Aga Khan's lifelong belief that "pluralism is no longer simply an asset or a prerequisite for progress and development, it is vital to our existence."

Recently, there has been a distilled Canadian media narrative involving partisan politics when mentioning the Aga Khan. Lost in all the noise is his incredible humanitarian legacy, which is especially noteworthy given the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee. For the past 60 years, the Aga Khan has been a tireless champion of peace, diversity and pluralism. When we take into account the immense contributions of his international work, it is clear that he is one of the most deserving individuals of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Aga Khan became the spiritual leader of the Ismailis on July 11, 1957. At that time, he was an undergraduate at Harvard and was chosen to succeed his grandfather as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailis — an office with a history spanning more than 1400 years. Ever since the mantle of leadership was passed to him, he has provided secular and spiritual guidance to his followers, in addition to working towards the uplift of peoples around the world regardless of ethnicity, creed or religion.
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CHRIS WATTIE/REUTERS
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) meets with the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, in Trudeau's office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, May 17, 2016.
The Aga Khan's legacy of humanitarian service is deeply personal for me and my wife. As Ismailis, both our families were direct beneficiaries of the Aga Khan's relationship with Canada and former prime minister Pierre Trudeau. In 1972, Idi Amin, then-president of Uganda, declared a 90-day ultimatum for the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, including Ismailis. It was the Aga Khan who was able to call on his friend to ensure the safeguard of thousands of refugees, many of whom settled in Canada.

The Aga Khan has also played a vital role in other conflict areas including Afghanistan and Syria. Since 2002, through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its partners, nearly US$750 million has been contributed to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. This investment has helped to produce large-scale rural development, education, finance and technology services including Roshan, the largest telecommunications service in the country. The Aga Khan has also been an important counterweight to extremism in the region, debunking the myth that moderate Muslims need to do more.

In Syria, the Aga Khan has been extremely active in an attempt to help broker peace during a time of civil unrest. This has included meeting with important stakeholders, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who conveyed that he was "deeply appreciative for our friendship and for your efforts for peace around the world." Former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson best described the influence of the Aga Khan when suggesting that he is "perhaps the only person in the world to whom everyone listens."

As a physician with a background in public health, I have

He has spent his entire life in the service of humanity, and particularly, for those most in need.
a keen interest in medical development efforts around the world. Along with institutions including the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) — an agency of the AKDN — is arguably one of the world's most impactful medical organizations. The numbers speak for themselves.

The AKHS provides medical care for 1.8 million patients annually across 200 health centres — including 14 hospitals — in East Africa, Central and South Asia. It established the first comprehensive heart and cancer centre in sub-Saharan Africa while running the only hospital in the region to be accredited by the Joint Commission International. The network is also responsible for the creation of the first university nursing program in Pakistan that has trained more than 6,000 nurses. As a third-year medical student, I spent a month at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. While impressed by the incredibly modern medical campus, it was the institution's culture of ambition, commitment to best practices and its focus on excellence that really stood out.

Critically, all of this has been possible because of the Aga Khan's vision for a better world. He has spent his entire life in the service of humanity, and particularly, for those most in need. His promotion of the values of inclusion, peace, civil society and human dignity were recognized when the Harper government made the Aga Khan an honorary Canadian citizen. As the former prime minister described, "His Highness's lifelong advocacy for humanitarianism, pluralism and tolerance has gone far beyond words." Canada has been an incredible supporter of the Aga Khan's global work, including partnerships in the areas of early childhood education, health care and disaster relief. This is a humanitarian legacy that Canada has played a significant role in creating, and one that it should be immensely proud of.

On the auspicious occasion of the Aga Khan's Diamond Jubilee, what better way to commemorate this amazing milestone than by nominating him for the richly deserved Nobel Peace Prize. Valuing the importance of harmony, above all else, the Aga Khan remarked: "Any leader of any global community hopes and prays for one thing — peace."

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Le Figaro

Son Altesse l'Aga Khan


Par Journaliste Figaro Charles Jaigu Publié le 16/02/2018 à 11:20

REPORTAGE - Mondialement connu pour la passion qu'il voue aux chevaux de course, le prince héritier de la dynastie des Hassan est aussi un homme d'affaires avisé. Chef spirituel des ismaéliens, cet imam professe un islam modéré. Il célèbre jusqu'en juillet son jubilé de diamant.

A Chantilly, en 1999, l'Aga Khan et son jockey Gérald Mossé, vient de remporter le Prix de Diane, avec la pouliche Daryaba.

Cet homme est en mouvement perpétuel autour de la terre. Un voyageur itinérant, mais avec room service 5 étoiles, une armada de garçons d'étage. Le voilà, comme il se doit, entre un atterrissage et un décollage: «Papa est rentré du Portugal hier soir. Je suis arrivé ce matin de Genève», explique sa fille Zahra, qui le retrouve ce soir-là dans leur propriété d'Aiglemont, tout près de Chantilly. Le lendemain, le prince aux 81 printemps repartira dans son jet vers Douchanbé, capitale du Tadjikistan. Ses valises soigneusement l'attendent déjà. Une dizaine de personnes l'accompagneront pour veiller au moindre détail. Tout est huilé, silencieux, invisible. Pour l'approcher, il faut convaincre ses nombreux conseillers qui tentent de désarmer toute curiosité mal placée. Car la communication de Son Altesse, toujours très ciblée et cloisonnée, est tout sauf ostentatoire. Elle le protège comme il convient à un chef spirituel, mais aussi à ses fidèles dispersés aux quatre coins du monde, un peuple de confession ultraminoritaire qui cherche à se fondre dans le paysage. «Pour être efficace, il faut souvent ne pas se faire remarquer», nous confie Son Altesse en détachant chaque syllabe pour marteler l'importance de son message.

Tout est donc fait pour que l'Aga Khan se concentre sur ses missions principales: la relation avec sa communauté de fidèles dans le monde et la géopolitique humanitaire. «Les rapports avec le Tadjikistan sont

bons, on a un programme dans la santé à Kaboul qui marche bien, et maintenant les Tadjiks veulent qu'on aille chez eux», glisse Son Altesse en français. À Aiglemont, on trouve les écuries du prince et les bureaux de sa Fondation. Le cadre est luxueux, mais fonctionnel. Des maisons à taille humaine ouvrent leurs larges fenêtres sur des pelouses soignées, dans lesquelles les petits et grands bâtiments de pierre picarde se fondent parmi les arbres dans un silence parfait. Au détour d'un virage, on tombe sur un centre d'entraînement fraîchement repeint d'un vert foncé équestre. C'est là que se trouvent les chevaux de course du prince. «Mon père est beaucoup plus dans son avion que sur un cheval», souligne Zahra, sous l'œil approbateur de son père.

Le prince, jeune, un peu moins dandy que ne l'était son père, a des faux airs de Sean Connery. Fossettes charmeuses et manières suaves, il n'a rien d'un seigneur d'Asie centrale.

Cela ne l'empêche pas de toujours suivre le déroulement des courses où ses chevaux sont engagés. Il connaît en général leur arbre généalogique sur le bout des doigts, en remontant jusqu'aux arrière-grands-parents. «Il y en a beaucoup qui connaissent ça mieux que moi. La meilleure sur ce sujet est la reine Elisabeth, qui peut remonter jusqu'à six générations. Je pense que c'est sa seule vraie passion, on ...

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Admin wrote:http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/20 ... a-khan.php

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Fichier PDF ici: http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-02-16-figaro.pdf

Le Figaro

Son Altesse l'Aga Khan


Par Journaliste Figaro Charles Jaigu Publié le 16/02/2018 à 11:20

REPORTAGE - Mondialement connu pour la passion qu'il voue aux chevaux de course, le prince héritier de la dynastie des Hassan est aussi un homme d'affaires avisé. Chef spirituel des ismaéliens, cet imam professe un islam modéré. Il célèbre jusqu'en juillet son jubilé de diamant.

A Chantilly, en 1999, l'Aga Khan et son jockey Gérald Mossé, vient de remporter le Prix de Diane, avec la pouliche Daryaba.

Cet homme est en mouvement perpétuel autour de la terre. Un voyageur itinérant, mais avec room service 5 étoiles, une armada de garçons d'étage. Le voilà, comme il se doit, entre un atterrissage et un décollage: «Papa est rentré du Portugal hier soir. Je suis arrivé ce matin de Genève», explique sa fille Zahra, qui le retrouve ce soir-là dans leur propriété d'Aiglemont, tout près de Chantilly. Le lendemain, le prince aux 81 printemps repartira dans son jet vers Douchanbé, capitale du Tadjikistan. Ses valises soigneusement l'attendent déjà. Une dizaine de personnes l'accompagneront pour veiller au moindre détail. Tout est huilé, silencieux, invisible. Pour l'approcher, il faut convaincre ses nombreux conseillers qui tentent de désarmer toute curiosité mal placée. Car la communication de Son Altesse, toujours très ciblée et cloisonnée, est tout sauf ostentatoire. Elle le protège comme il convient à un chef spirituel, mais aussi à ses fidèles dispersés aux quatre coins du monde, un peuple de confession ultraminoritaire qui cherche à se fondre dans le paysage. «Pour être efficace, il faut souvent ne pas se faire remarquer», nous confie Son Altesse en détachant chaque syllabe pour marteler l'importance de son message.

Tout est donc fait pour que l'Aga Khan se concentre sur ses missions principales: la relation avec sa communauté de fidèles dans le monde et la géopolitique humanitaire. «Les rapports avec le Tadjikistan sont

bons, on a un programme dans la santé à Kaboul qui marche bien, et maintenant les Tadjiks veulent qu'on aille chez eux», glisse Son Altesse en français. À Aiglemont, on trouve les écuries du prince et les bureaux de sa Fondation. Le cadre est luxueux, mais fonctionnel. Des maisons à taille humaine ouvrent leurs larges fenêtres sur des pelouses soignées, dans lesquelles les petits et grands bâtiments de pierre picarde se fondent parmi les arbres dans un silence parfait. Au détour d'un virage, on tombe sur un centre d'entraînement fraîchement repeint d'un vert foncé équestre. C'est là que se trouvent les chevaux de course du prince. «Mon père est beaucoup plus dans son avion que sur un cheval», souligne Zahra, sous l'œil approbateur de son père.

Le prince, jeune, un peu moins dandy que ne l'était son père, a des faux airs de Sean Connery. Fossettes charmeuses et manières suaves, il n'a rien d'un seigneur d'Asie centrale.

Cela ne l'empêche pas de toujours suivre le déroulement des courses où ses chevaux sont engagés. Il connaît en général leur arbre généalogique sur le bout des doigts, en remontant jusqu'aux arrière-grands-parents. «Il y en a beaucoup qui connaissent ça mieux que moi. La meilleure sur ce sujet est la reine Elisabeth, qui peut remonter jusqu'à six générations. Je pense que c'est sa seule vraie passion, on ...

Cet article est réservé aux abonnés. 85% reste à lire.
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Le Figaro

His Highness The Aga Khan

REPORTAGE - World famous for his passion for racing horses, the crown prince of the Hassan dynasty is also a wise businessman. Spiritual leader of the Ismailis, this imam professes a moderate Islam. He celebrates until July his diamond jubilee.


In Chantilly, in 1999, the Aga Khan and his jockey Gérald Mossé, just won the Prix de Diane, with the filly Daryaba.

This man is in perpetual motion around the earth. A traveling traveler, but with 5-star room service, an armada of floor boys. Here it is, as it should, between a landing and a take-off: "Dad came back from Portugal last night. I arrived this morning from Geneva, "explains his daughter Zahra, who finds him that night at their property in Aiglemont, near Chantilly. The next day, the prince with 81 springs will return in his jet towards Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan. His suitcases carefully are already waiting for him. A dozen people will accompany him to ensure the smallest detail.Everything is oiled, silent, invisible. To approach him, he must convince his many advisers who try to disarm any misplaced curiosity. Because the communication of His Highness, always very targeted and compartmentalized, is anything but ostentatious. It protects him properly to a spiritual leader, but also to his faithful scattered around the world, a people of ultramoritary confession that seeks to blend into the landscape. "To be effective, we must often not be noticed," says his Highness by detaching each syllable to hammer the importance of his message.

Everything is done so that the Aga Khan focuses on its main missions: the relationship with its community of faithful around the world and humanitarian geopolitics. "Relations with Tajikistan are

Well, we have a program in health in Kabul that works well, and now the Tajiks want us to go home, "says His Highness in French. In Aiglemont, there are the Prince's stables and the offices of his Foundation. The setting is luxurious, but functional. Houses on a human scale open their large windows on well-manicured lawns, in which the small and large buildings of Picardy stone merge among the trees in perfect silence. At the turn of a curve, we come across a training center freshly repainted with a dark equestrian green. This is where the prince's race horses are. "My father is a lot more on his plane than on a horse," says Zahra, under the approving eye of his father.

The prince, young, a little less dandy than his father, has a false air of Sean Connery. Charming flats and sweet manners, he is not a lord of Central Asia.

This does not prevent him from always following the course of the races where his horses are engaged. He usually knows their family tree on the fingertips, going back to the great-grandparents. "There are many who know it better than me. The best on this subject is Queen Elizabeth, who can go back up to six generations. I think it's his only real passion, we ...

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May 11, 2018

Mo Ibrahim deserves an award, but so does the Aga Khan


A few days ago we reported the comments of an African journalist who argued that Mo Ibrahim deserves an award. Mo Ibrahim deserves it for his commitment to promoting and preserving democracy, in a continent where democracy is often rather frail, and for his efforts to improve the quality of African governments.

But, in fairness, Mo Ibrahim is not the only person who deserves an award.

The Aga Khan also deserves an award for setting up universities, clinics, medical centers, and hospitals; for his efforts to promote development, (higher) education and health; for doing more than anybody to ensure that (East) Africans enjoy longer, better and healthier lives.

So while we are very happy to read in the press that Mo Ibrahim should be rewarded for his philantropic activities, we believe that the Aga Khan should be rewarded as well.

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2018 June issue of New African has an interesting long article on H.H. The Aga Khan.

Click below for a pdf version.

http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/2018-0 ... frican.pdf



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Click below for a pdf version.

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Lisbon - H.H. Lisbon TV -Portugal, H.H. The Aga Khan gaves an interview in Lisbon in 2017.

Lisbon in Portugal is where he came recently with his family for the celebrations marking the completion of his Diamond Jubilee in July 2018

VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-LVmAgb5wcQ?t=63

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http://www.mmclip.com/Pdftmp/24457595_3 ... onitor.pdf


[Cover]

AGA KHAN

The descendant of Prophet Muhammad celebrated in Lisbon, the 60 years as leader of the Ismailis. An exclusive interview with the wealthiest spiritual leader in the world

By Alexandra Carita
Photographs by Tiago Miranda



[Interview]

“This is a faith of reason”

He is one of the wealthiest men in the world and is about to live in Portugal. He has a life of commitment to the community, which follows him as Imam, and has never failed to analyse the world for the benefit of his followers. In his eyes, religion is for a premise of peace, but also of wellbeing, knowledge and economic development.

He is a descendant of Prophet Muhammad and spiritual leader of 15 million Muslim followers, ten thousand of whom live in Portugal. He has been trying to transform the world in his own way and in that of Islam. He is about to live in Lisbon. He is Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. But he is addressed as His Highness. The title was attributed by Elizabeth II, Queen of England, shortly after [the Aga Khan] took on the role of Imam, the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismailis, at the age of 20. A week ago he celebrated in our country’s capital his Diamond Jubilee, 60 years as leader of the community, which he considers to be his great source of happiness. He has elected education, healthcare and economic development as his main points of action and has taken his congregational power across the world. He brought almost 50 thousand people to Lisbon, with whom he celebrated the commemorations. Before, on a sunny morning, he spoke with Expresso about the beginning of his mandate and the present times, about religion and politics, about the community and himself, in a singular refuge where, with the warmth that has always characterised him, he let us talk, carried by a warm breeze. It was a long, dense conversation, with an intelligent man who is both a leader of the spirit and the mind, a thinker and a true master of the 21st century.

You were very young when you received the title of Imam of the Ismaili people. What concerns did you have at the time and what concerns do you have now?

Well, to go back to that moment, we have to put ourselves in what was a very stressful time, globally. There were two things happening at the same time, simultaneously. One was decolonisation and the other was the Cold War. These two phenomena were happening more or less at the same time, so there was an overlapping agitation. Much of that world was and is where my community lives and used to live. It was a transitional situation between colonial status and freedom, but freedom within the Cold War. So that was an extremely sensitive time to try and make sure that the Ismaili community maintained the right values, in a time of transformation. That those were the values of independence movements, because we wanted our community to be seen as a community of citizens of these countries, and therefore able to participate in public life, including political life.

What kind of work did all this entail?

Careful planning done in a time that required us to analyse the trends and the paths that would be taken and to know where they, the members of this community, would stay, or if they would be, as they say in French, passager [travellers]. Would they leave and not stay in their countries of origin? It was a time of observance, a time to talk to as many people as possible, to understand what their goals were within the national situation they were in. I went through those times, especially the sixties, without thinking of another major trauma. There were countries that opted for what I would call the Eastern Block, and there were countries that maintained their independence vis-à-vis global international politics and wanted to have and create their own direction, and we adapted ourselves to these situations according to what it was possible to achieve. And we were fortunate. We were well accepted as a community that has its own institutions. We chose to continue to build these institutions in the areas of education, medicine and healthcare, in economic development. There was a time when the most complicated colonial situations were many, especially in the British colonies, where the community was encouraged to maintain its own institutions. After the independence, the movement of these institutions was to meet nationalisms instead of meeting the community. As a result, many of our institutions went beyond the context of the community and drew closer to the national context. And that is where we are today.


What does this Diamond Jubilee mean to you?

This is an important occasion. We set goals that we want to achieve and a number of things that we would like to see grow, especially in countries like Tajikistan, which only recently became part of our area of action. We are working in countries where, in fact, we do not have the structures we already have in other parts of the world. For example, we have much stronger structures in East Africa because we have been working there for a long time. We still have to create the same structures in Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan or other countries in that area. Therefore, we will have to build these institutions. I think what we are going to do is try to invest in actions that help us build the future. Building the future is important. And we do it through strong and solid institutions in the fields of education, healthcare and economic development. And they are not institutions for the community, I repeat. They are institutions that operate at an international level. Maybe they started as community institutions but they grew from there. We have always tried to grow in this sense or at least at the regional level. For example, we are dealing with higher education at a regional level, not on a national basis.

One of your main concerns has always been education. Why is it so important to you?

I believe that many of these countries need to create and increase all levels of education, so that it becomes a national and not just a local asset or resource. And I firmly believe in a public-private relationship in what concerns this matter. Many of the countries that you know, that I know, which are now industrialised and highly successful countries, have a pluralism in the fields of health and education. And I believe that this is the way we should go. I do not think that the State can or should be everything for everyone continuously. I think the private sector has to, let's say, be engaged, committed. There are fields where the private sector commands, leads, so often in research, for example. This is more a domain of the private sector than of the public sector in the countries where we have been working for years. Therefore, if we want society to be involved and to be developed, we must mobilise the private sector, not just the public sector. You know, where there has been an effort to mobilise only the public sector - and I think many of us would say the same, it is evident - that mobilisation has failed. At least this is my point of view from the experience that I have had. And, I think the two sectors can coexist, they do not have to be enemies. In fact, it is much better when they coexist.

Coming back to the Diamond Jubilee. How would you like this year to be remembered by the Ismaili community and by the world?
Well, I think it is one of those cases where we have a deadline to work towards and to complete certain initiatives, and a time when we would like to start others. For this very reason, I see the Diamond Jubilee as an opportunity to accelerate social and economic change. And this is what I would like to try to do and to achieve together with the leaders of the Ismaili community, but obviously they have to be in the lead, in the thinking and reflection about these matters.

I know this is not an easy question, but I wanted you to explain to me the role of religion in today's world.

I will begin by saying to you, that all civilized societies need to have an ethical framework. Otherwise, civil society cannot function in a serious and planned way. If civil society wants to be a major force at the national level, this is how I see the developed world accepting it. And so, civil society needs to be anchored in a set of ethical premises. I think these ethical premises are often anchored in faith, in religion. So I think this is the relationship I would establish and which I consider to be very, very important. However, with regard to this issue, we are obviously interested in countries that have pluralist attitudes towards faith, in relation to society, etc. And Portugal has them. We are very, very honoured and grateful to have been able to establish our religious institutions in Portugal, which, in fact, have a global goal, because this is what Portuguese law allows and encourages. In addition, we will continue to use Portuguese civil society to be able to develop our institutions in the developed world.

“What the government did was look at this relationship between religion and governance. The Portuguese began doing this with the Concordat signed with the Vatican”

Is the Imamat going to work in Portugal?

This does not mean that we do not work in other countries as well. We will. Particularly, because our community is a very pluralistic one. It is not based in a part of the world, nor in any language or anything of the sorts. We have to be as flexible as possible to meet needs wherever they require. And like any community that is global, we cannot handle all of these issues at the same time. We have to identify priorities; we have to try to respond to the needs that occur. But this is essentially anchored in institutional capacity, not in individual capacity. We are looking, for example, at the role of higher education. And where higher education does exist, is it satisfactory? Where is investment needed? Where is it necessary to think more broadly in geographical terminology, because often higher education is limited to a geographical area? We are trying to make globalisation in our institutions a reality so that we can serve the communities, wherever they may be. But it is a process. We never reach a full result. That is not realistic.

And as for the principles of the Ismaili religion. How do they align with other Islamic principles in general?

I would say very well. We do not have issues of this nature. We are Shia Muslims and therefore the community has an Imam, whose appointment is hereditary. But broadly speaking, I think we are seen as an asset in most of the countries where we live. And we are encouraged to extend our institutions, to transform community institutions into national institutions. We have done this with our economic, educational and healthcare institutions. These institutions must have begun in the 1950s as community institutions, as I have mentioned. And if we think of the 1950s and 1960s, in the British colonies, for example, we will be reminded that communities were encouraged to create their own institutions. Today, this is completely forgotten, it does not exist. Nowadays, the goals are to create national institutions to serve everyone. This implied changing the dynamics and the scale of what we were doing. And that means repositioning institutions so that they have a logical position in the future of each country. And we have tried to be in what I can call, the field of high technology applied to each area to which we are dedicated.

Can you give us an example?

For example, in medicine, we are interested in tertiary care. We are not a public service organisation that can provide first aid throughout the country. That is not our role. That is why we focus on the tertiary service. Are there priorities in this field? Yes, there are priorities. Cardiology and Oncology. We are specialists in cardiology and oncology because we think this is the role of our healthcare institutions. And we are investing in research; we are investing in partnerships with institutions outside the Western world because we think they can bring us new insights. And in return, we provide them with the research they do not have. That is why they are very happy to work with us in our institutions; they can do the research that they are unable to do in their countries of origin. We are expanding our global relationships in the technical fields very solidly. Some of our financial institutions have grown and are now national. For example, I think Habib Bank may be considered the most important bank in Pakistan, today. The Jubilee Insurance Company is one of the top insurance companies in the country. Therefore, between 1957 and today, our institutions have become national or regional institutions, which is the right positioning. The idea that small communities can develop institutional capacities is frankly not realistic.

Is that the duty of religion?

I think it is much more than that. And it is not just religion. It is what national needs represent. If you have the capacity or the means to develop that capacity, I think it is the duty of a national institution to seize opportunities and develop them, if you have the resources to do so, the willingness to do so and the ability to do so. And we measure our performance against global standards in health, education, and the economy. We are continually evaluating ourselves. And the goal is to have more practice, more ability to perform. It is to take to each community, each country, each region, the best practice, in whatever we are doing.

You have dedicated your life to trying to end poverty and inequality. What do you think about the political and social tensions we are experiencing? I am talking about migration, of nuclear weapons, of violence, of the climate, of unemployment...

I begin with the premise that society cannot develop itself if it does not live in peace. And I think peace is the premier premise for all of us. But either you are in a country where there are internal conflicts, or you are where there is a regional conflict. And that, in my opinion, is the end of development. Hence the number one premise is the consensus on national goals. What are the national goals? Are they consensual? Are they egalitarian and just? Do we have the right resources to make them work? I look at society as a set of capabilities that need to be developed together so that the sum is greater than the addition of small numbers. And I think we are beginning to see that. I go back to the fifties and sixties, when there was still what I call a colonial heritage. That form of approach to a national consensus was not very strong. Many of the colonies have been developed through the division of people rather than through their unity around a common goal. I think this no longer exists today. Do not forget that in those decades we had an extraordinary situation because the process of decolonisation happened simultaneously with the Cold War. And the Cold War was very, very aggressive. Movements of independence and national policies were seen not only in the light of national issues, but also in the face of the Cold War. That no longer exists. So between that time and today, a great source of tension has disappeared. This has changed the dynamics of the world. If we think about Africa’s situation then, it necessarily reflects the effects of that War. Regimes and political leaders had to choose between the West and the East. Today they do not have to do so. Today these movements are related to their own dynamics. I think today the notion of performance is probably the greatest driver of political thinking. Which regimes perform well and build their capacity to deal with populations and have them under control? It is very interesting to see how everything has changed.

I would like you to talk about Portugal now.
Certainly.

What will the Seat of the Imamat bring to Portugal?

You have to ask the Portuguese. I cannot answer that question!

I would also like to ask you what the Portuguese can expect, by having the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon?

Well... the context is between the relationship between religious institutions and modern governance. This is the real context. A context in which religious institutions are improved in what they do, that is, they need a safe environment to enable them to function. These institutions, such as humanitarian institutions, have taken on certain objectives and developed their civil society capacity. And it is very important that country laws allow religious institutions to thrive, as it is even in the national interest. And Portugal is the ideal country for this relationship and has been extremely considerate to me, as Imam. I think the country has been very intelligent, in what concerns the building of bridges so that religions work well and always with a result that is of national interest. When problems arise, and they are not here, but they arise in other countries, it is when religious institutions and national goals are not compatible. That is when we have trouble. However, Portugal has been very smart to work with religious institutions. We are not the only religion with which the Government works. There is a very, very strong national precedent for this relationship to work. As a religion, we are working in the domain that is already very well positioned for the two sides to work together and as it should be. We are very grateful and honoured for that.

Has the Portuguese Government awarded you many privileges?
I would not call them privileges. What the Government did was look at this relationship between religion and governance. The Portuguese began doing this with the Concordat signed with the Vatican. This was the first domain with which they worked, and they worked very well. That is why the experience of the Concordat was the springboard for our relationship and it has been a very, very happy relationship. We have benefited as a religion from this precedent called Concordat. The Concordat was a very important step in the formation of your country in political terms and was extended to us by the Government. Portugal is dealing with difficult problems in a very efficient way. The Portuguese are strong in their convictions, it is the general opinion when I talk to my friends and we compare what is happening in various parts of the world. Portugal has made very important choices in modern history, courageous decisions. It is therefore a country we all admire.

And are we not gaining anything, with the establishment of the Imamat here?

Ah yes! We are going to create several institutions here but with international objectives. But we will continue to deal with each other under a great basis of friendship. There will be aid as there will be for countries like Mozambique and for Portuguese-speaking countries. It will be a very supportive relationship. And I hope we can share the interests of Portugal, not only here but also abroad. We have a set of common interests.

And are you moving here?

I do not know. But I know I will come much more often. I'm still contemplating if I will move or not. You will see me more often, I am sure of that.

Have you ever thought about what your life could have been if you had not been appointed Imam when you were 20 years old?

I would probably have been a mediocre academic!

Do you have time to enjoy life, to take care of your own businesses, or not?
The truth is that I represent an institution and this institution does not come and go. There, is where all my time and my happiness is, working within that institution. That is where my happiness comes from. I am very, very privileged because I was not the one who chose to be the 49th Imam. My grandfather made that choice in 1955 or so, and I was not aware of it. I think that every individual who has the possibility to contribute to the quality of life is a happy individual. You have a purpose, you see? I think the worst of disasters is having a life without purpose. I think it is a horrible idea.

What was the most important moment of your life, as a religious leader and as a man?

I think that was when I became aware of my grandfather's wishes when he passed away. This is because his decisions obviously changed my life. I was in University at the time. I was at Harvard. And I had to try to find a new academic orientation, because I had to finish my studies faster than I would have done in another situation. I was still an undergraduate but with a personal assistant and two secretaries, which was unheard of! There have been a number of unique things. But it worked out. And you know? I did not have my secretary take notes in college classes!

Do you regret anything in life?

No, I don’t think so... You know, it is not the way I think.

You are a very positive person.

I do not think in those terms. The answer is no.

Can you tell us what your day-to-day is like?

It is essentially the life of the institution and what the institution requires, its manifestations and whether those manifestations are what they should be, or whether we should be doing things differently from what we do. We have already done a lot of work in the field of history because we want to make sure that we understand the evolution of the Ismaili thought, in the past. It is a religion of the brain, a religion of the mind. It is not just a religion of the soul. It is a faith of reason. And so we want to try to make sure that the philosophies of the past are well understood and can have adequate space in modern life. There is a whole context because it is a historical religion. We have an accumulation of history that is very important, and extremely pluralistic. It was formed from various parts of the world and from different languages. And today, all these communities are, in a certain sense, united in a single light, with different creeds, and these creeds are filling gaps in these countries where the gaps are not filled economically, at the educational level in terms of early childhood development, for example.


In terms of child development!?

Yes, this is an area that has expanded enormously in the last decade, on a massive scale. What we know today about Early Childhood Development (ECD) is totally different from what we knew 20 years ago. That is why our priorities have also had to change. ECD, for example, is now one of our top priorities. And what we are seeking is to make sure every Ismaili child has the opportunity and access to ECD programmes. That will take time. It will take resources. However, it is a rational goal based on the good quality of science. A few decades ago we could be talking about the need for higher education, university, postgraduate and all those sorts of things. Today, we are completely focused on ECD. Because it has become the recognised basis for an educated society. You know, we learn from others.

Do you ever think about your heir?


No! No. The honest answer is obviously that I do, but I do not want to talk about it!
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Post by kmaherali »

A Collection of Hazar Imam's Jokes! And, early Imamat Day Mubarak

Part 1

ismailidigest.org/2018/06/29/a-collection-of-hazar-imams-jokes-and-early-imamat-day-mubarak/?utm_source=ismailidigest.org&utm_medium=referral

Part 2

ismailidigest.org/2018/09/17/new-part-2-priceless-rare-collection-of-hazar-imams-jokes/
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Post by kmaherali »

Aga Khan defende uma coisa que eu acho essencial: o Islão precisa de diálogo intrarreligioso"

Translation:

The Aga Khan defends one thing that I think is essential: Islam needs intra-religious dialogue

Video:

http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/videos/opiniao/ ... 5fe073d431
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Post by kmaherali »

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http://www.agakhanacademies.org/general ... h-aga-khan


Educating Tomorrow's Leaders: Interview with HH the Aga Khan
12 October 2018

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has published an interview with His Highness the Aga Khan in a special commemorative edition of IB World magazine, celebrating the IB's 50th anniversary.

In the interview, His Highness talks about why he chose the IB programme as the basis for the curriculum at the Aga Khan Academies; how the IB helps the Academies develop locally-grounded, internationally-minded leaders; and how the IB and the Academies can help meet the challenges of educating students today.

Please click here to read the interview in the IB World magazine.

http://www.agakhanacademies.org/general ... h-aga-khan

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8 global personalities who have used their wealth to make an impact

We list down the world’s biggest billionaires who are giving as good as they’re getting to help create a better, safer and more inclusive world

A new billionaire was created every two days in 2018, yet the poor got poorer. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened deeply across the world like never before, disrupting the spirit of hope and socio-economic equality. Thankfully, there are a handful of conscientious altruists whose humanitarianism can never be repaid except in the loud voices showcasing gratitude. Scroll onwards to know more about the names who using their wealth to make a real difference to the world we live in.

https://www.vogue.in/content/global-per ... an-impact/

Aga Khan
aga-khan
Image: © AKDN

To ease another’s rite of passage in this world is to ease your own. A religious leader and multimillionaire philanthropist, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who is among the world’s richest royals, belies stereotypes. Through his Aga Khan Development Network, he empowers the poor and marginalised across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and works extensively towards improving the life and economic potential of women and children. In an increasingly bigoted world, he hopes to change the view of Islam as a faith that teaches compassion and tolerance, thus upholding the human dignity he preaches about.
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Post by kmaherali »

Interview with Mawlana Hazar Imam by La Cohorte

Mawlana Hazar Imam was recently interviewed by Henri Weill, Editor-in-Chief of the French magazine La Cohorte on the occasion of his receiving the Grand-Croix of the Légion d’honneur in September last year. The interview touches on key points including the role of the Imam, the importance of civil society and the necessity of creating strong institutions that can contribute to positive growth. We are pleased to make this interview available in both French and English with the kind permission of La Cohorte.

(Interview on 29 January 2019)

More...

https://the.ismaili/interviews/intervie ... la-cohorte
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https://www.forbespt.com/imperios-filantropicos/?geo=pt

[English article dated 1 March 2019 at the bottom of the text.]

8 de Fevereiro, 2019, David Almas
Artigo incluído na edição de Março 2019

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O universo português de fundações gere mais de 9 mil milhões de euros em activos. A Aga Khan Portugal, liderada pelo multimilionário Aga Khan IV, é uma das 30 maiores do país.

A Fundação Aga Khan Portugal, liderada pelo Aga Khan IV, gere milhões de euros em activos.

Foi o evento mais valioso para a economia portuguesa em 2018. A organização aplicou 15 milhões de euros para receber cerca de 55 mil pessoas. O Parque das Nações, em Lisboa, foi
inundado: os lugares no Altice Arena, na Feira Internacional de Lisboa, no Pavilhão de Portugal e em todas as salas de cinema do Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama foram ocupados. A consultora contratada pela organização calculou um impacto directo para a economia portuguesa de até 252 milhões de euros, ultrapassando mesmo o da Web Summit, a maior conferência tecnológica no mundo (que terá tido um impacto, no máximo, de 212 milhões de euros, segundo João Cerejeira, professor na Escola de Economia e Gestão da Universidade do Minho).

A Fundação Aga Khan Portugal, a 24.ª maior a nível nacional, é apenas uma das extremidades de um império filantrópico que gasta mais de 500 milhões de euros por ano.

Que acontecimento bateu o efeito económico da Web Summit? Foi o festival de encerramento da celebração do jubileu de diamante de Aga Khan IV como líder espiritual dos ismaelitas nizaris, um ramo dos muçulmanos xiitas, que decorreu em Lisboa entre 5 e 11 de Julho de 2018. Aga Khan IV trouxe os seus milhões para Portugal, onde agora vive sem pagar impostos. A Fundação Aga Khan Portugal, a 24.ª maior a nível nacional, é apenas uma das extremidades de um império filantrópico que gasta mais de 500 milhões de euros por ano – e que vai dando os seus frutos ao nosso país.

O universo português de fundações gere mais de 9 mil milhões de euros em activos com 6 mil milhões de euros de capitais próprios. São impérios filantrópicos, com diversas actividades por cá e pelo estrangeiro, e com pecúlios chorudos que as sustentam. Descubra quais são as maiores fundações de Portugal na edição de Março da FORBES, nas bancas.

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English:

Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismailis, brought his millions to Portugal, where he now lives without paying taxes. The Aga Khan Foundation Portugal, the 24th largest nationwide, is just one of the ends of his philanthropic empire that spends more than 500 million Euros per year.

By David Almas

Sacred millionaire

Aga Khan IV, 82, is a multimillionaire and a philanthropist. The Aga Khan Foundation Portugal, which he established in 1996, was valued at over 31 million Euros in 2017.

It was the most valuable event for the Portuguese economy in 2018. The organisation invested 15 million euros to receive about 55 thousand people. Parque das Nações in Lisbon was flooded: seats at the Altice Arena, the Lisbon International Fair [FIL], the Portugal Pavilion and all the cinemas at the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre were occupied. The consultancy firm hired by the organisation calculated a direct impact on the Portuguese economy of up to 252 million Euros, even surpassing that of Web Summit, the largest technology conference in the world (which will have had a maximum impact of 212 million Euros, according to Professor Cerejeira, professor at the School of Economics and Management of the University of Minho). What event beat the economic effect of Web Summit? It was the closing festival of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Aga Khan IV as spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismailis, a branch of the Shia Muslims, held in Lisbon from the 5th to the 11th of July 2018.

Although it received fewer visitors than Web Summit, the celebration of the 60 years of activity of the current Imam brought over richer people. "The [Ismaili] community that came to the celebration was mostly the wealthiest, because it has more means to travel," explains Nazim Ahmad, the diplomatic representative of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal, the supranational entity that represents the Imam. Nazim adds that while they received 35 nationalities at the event, US and Canadian citizens were present in greater numbers and that many visiting families took the opportunity to discover the rest of Portugal.

The Ismaili community is "regarded as Westernised, wealthy, consisting of engineers, doctors, economists and managers, businessmen and financiers, actors with success stories," summarise Nicole Khouri and Joana Pereira Leite in a working paper from the Centre for African, Asian and Latin American Studies, of the Lisbon School of Economics and Management.

In 1957, Karim Al-Hussaini succeeded his grandfather, Aga Khan III, becoming the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili community, which is estimated to comprise 15 million followers, including some 7,000 that reside in Portugal. The Nizari Ismailis believe that Aga Khan IV is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. The first Imam, Ali, was Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law when he married his daughter Fatima. Aga Khan IV is a multimillionaire and a philanthropist. His closeness with Portugal Portugal, the third place in Europe with more followers after Great Britain and France, has been progressive. In 1996, Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Foundation in Portugal, after 13 years with a presence through its Swiss foundation. At the end of 2017, the Portuguese foundation had a net worth of 31.1 million Euros, which placed it at 24th in the list of the largest Portuguese foundations.

"The Aga Khan Foundation Portugal's capital increases represent the institution's commitment to Portugal and the strengthening and consolidation of investment in development programmes," explains Karim Merali, the Foundation’s Exeutive Officer.

NATIONAL CAKE

Aga Khan IV is the honorary president of the Portuguese foundation. His brother Amyn and Guillaume de Spoelberch, a Belgian viscount, complete the board of directors. Although not a monarch, the Imam has always been close to European royalty. In fact, he is introduced at official ceremonies as "His Highness", a title given to him by Queen Elizabeth II, after becoming leader of the Ismailis at age 20. He is now 82 years old.

In Portugal, Aga Khan, who is a British citizen, is received as a Head of State, although he does not represent any state. At the end of the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee in Lisbon, the President of the Republic of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, welcomed him with a guard of honour. In the Assembly of the Republic, he delivered a speech in the Senate Chamber.

The institutional proximity to Portugal dates back almost six decades. In 1960 Américo Thomaz, then President of the Republic of Portugal, awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry, one of his first international decorations. He returned to receive other grand crosses of Portuguese orders. The culmination of the closeness to Portugal was the establishment of the global Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon. The site, the Mendonça Palace, designed by the architect Miguel Ventura Terra in the early twentieth century, was purchased for 12 million Euros from Nova University of Lisbon, but will require an additional amount between 3 million and 5 million euros in the restoration leading up to the full opening, in the summer of 2020, according to Nazim Ahmad. "The signing of the historic agreement [between the Imamat and the Portuguese Republic] to establish its Seat in Portugal is a historic milestone in our 1400 years of history. We share with Portugal the values of tolerance in the diversity of communities and cultures and we have an immense respect for the country's commitment to share knowledge for the improvement of communities around the world," Aga Khan IV explained to Expresso in 2017. In parallel, Aga Khan himself bought a home in Lisbon. "In Portugal, I always felt at home," he said upon receiving an honorary doctorate from Nova University of Lisbon in 2017.

The construction of the first Aga Khan Academy in Europe, a school that aims to host a thousand students from 5 to 18 years old, has also been under development for over two years. The land where it will be established, near Taguspark in Oeiras, represents a 4 million Euro deal with Parvalorem, the entity that succeeded Banco Português de Negócios, according to Jornal de Negócios. However, the total investment in the academy will be close to 100 million Euros over the next three to four years, Nazim Ahmad estimates. All these amounts - 15 million for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, more than 15 million for the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat and 100 million for the academy do not go through the Portuguese foundation. Those are other millions.

GROWING DONATIONS

In just three years, from 2014 to 2017, the annual budget of the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal increased 77% to around 14 million Euros. It is a drop of water in the ocean that is the philanthropic arm of Aga Khan IV. The Aga Khan Development Network, which includes the Portuguese foundation, has an annual budget of 530 million Euros. This charitable universe employs more than 80,000 people worldwide, provides annual education programmes to more than 2 million children, and provides health care to 5 million people.

Although the Aga Khan Portugal Foundation reported profits of 3.6 million Euros in 2017, unlike previous years in which there were losses, it is hoped that the net results are always close to zero. "The goal is that the donations be fully allocated to the various programmes," says Karim Merali. The positive result of 2017 "is due to the investment in the Aga Khan Academy in Maputo", clarifies Karim who, before being the Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal, held the same position at the Polana Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique. The Aga Khan Academy in Maputo was, in fact, the second largest recipient of donations to the Portuguese foundation in 2017. The Coastal Rural Support Programme, which aims to combat poverty in Mozambique, was the largest recipient of funding.

The World Bank, the largest financial institution for global development, was the main funder of the Coastal Rural Support Programme in the African country. However, Aga Khan IV remains the largest donor to the Portuguese foundation and his importance has been growing. In 2017, the Imam donated 5.4 million Euros, more than double what he had donated two years earlier. In 2017, three-eighths of the funding applications of the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal stemmed from its founder.

Although the foundation has Portugal’s name, only one-fifth of the money received is directed towards national projects. Most of the funds go to Mozambique. KCidade, an urban community development programme, and the Early Childhood Development Programme, which includes the operation of the Olivais Sul Children's Centre in Lisbon, are the largest projects of the foundation in national territory. They receive, individually, more than 1 million Euros per year.



GLOBAL WEALTH

The economic empire of Aga Khan IV is based on a Swiss corporation, the for-profit Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). It is this firm, through a myriad of subsidiaries, that feeds the various foundations and projects that its sole shareholder has created and supports. "I never receive dividends, because the purpose is to serve with the resources and not to personalise them. The notion that an institution with the name Aga Khan is personal is incorrect. Be it a university, a hospital, a school or a micro-credit," he said in 2008 to Público.

The eight holdings that AKFED controls in companies listed on the Bangladesh, Ivory Coast, India, Pakistan and Kenya stock exchanges are worth around €1.1 billion alone at market prices. However, the group is also a shareholder of another 70 companies around the world, in cities such as Kabul (Afghanistan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Kampala (Uganda), Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Geneva (Switzerland), Toronto (Canada) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The scope of Aga Khan IV's business world encompasses a wide range of sectors, including food, aviation, media, energy, telecommunications and insurance. In 2017, it made 3.6 billion Euros. The official list of AKFED shares does not include Portuguese companies, although the Ismaili Imamat, also under the control of Aga Khan IV, has created national companies, namely for the construction and management of Mendonça Palace and other future projects that will be announced next summer, said Nazim Ahmad, who oversees these companies.

Despite a strong devaluation (approximately 50% in two years), the HBL is probably the most valuable asset on the AKFED's balance sheet: it is Pakistan's largest private bank, with more than 11 million customers and 1,750 branches. On the Stock Exchange, the HBL is worth approximately 1.4 billion Euros, 51% of which is owned AKFED. HBL is also the largest Pakistani multinational: it has a presence in the UK, United Arab Emirates, Central and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

There is a clear desire for expansion of the group that has Aga Khan IV as its sole shareholder. For such purposes, it takes advantage of the possible synergies between the subsidiary companies. "In addition to strong financial support from AKFED, TPSEA leverages the fund's global network to ensure new business opportunities," said Eyal Shevel, an analyst at Global Credit Rating, the largest African credit risk assessment agency, in its latest evaluation of the hotel group. TPSEA, controlled by AKFED, manages the Serena hotel chain, which comprises 35 units in Africa and Asia, including Polana, in the Mozambican capital.

AGA KHAN IV & PORTUGAL

The closeness of Aga Khan IV to Portugal precedes his Imamat. For example, the fourth wife of Aga Khan III (grandfather of Aga Khan IV) was in the so-called "party of the century" that businessman Antenor Patino organised in Alcoitão, Cascais, in 1968. (Aga Khan IV's grandmother, Cleope Teresa Magliano, was the second wife of Aga Khan III.)
1960
Receives the Grand Cross of the Order of the Prince Henry of President Américo Thomaz.

1983
The foundation of Swiss law is authorised to operate in Portugal. Aga Khan IV is received by President António Ramalho Eanes and Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.

1996
Establishes the Aga Khan Foundation in Portugal. The initial allocation was 11.7 million Euros in bank accounts, investments and real estate.
Receives the key of the city of Lisbon from the Mayor, João Soares.

1998
Receives the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit.

2005
Signing of the cooperation protocol between the Portuguese Government and Ismaili Imamat.
Receives Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ attributed by President Jorge Sampaio.

2006
Receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Évora.

2008
Signing of the cooperation protocol between the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ismaili Imamat.

2009
Signing of the agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat. Portugal recognises the Imamat as a legal entity.
Invested as a Foreign Member at the Lisbon Academy of Sciences in the Class of Humanities.

2014
Receives the North-South Prize from the Council of Europe in the Assembly of the Republic.

2016
Ismaili Imamat purchases the Mendonça Palace, which will be its glocal Seat, to the Nova University of Lisbon.

2017
Receives the Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty from the hands of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
2018
Receives an honorary doctorate from Nova University of Lisbon.

2019
Ismaili Imamat purchases land from Parvalorem for the construction of the Aga Khan Academy.

Although the foundation has Portugal’s name, only a fifth of the money received is applied in the country.

In 2018, for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Aga Khan IV, which brought with it more than 50 thousand people, the spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismailis spent about 15 million Euros. The consultancy firm hired by the organisation estimated a direct impact on the Portuguese economy of up to 252 million Euros, more than that of Web Summit.

ZERO TAXES

All donations made or received by Aga Khan IV or by the Ismaili Imamat are exempt from taxes in Portugal. This is one of the negotiated rules for the establishment of the global Seat in Lisbon. It is a very important exemption: the Ismailis make the religious donations directly to the Imam or the Imamat. "The payment of 'dasond' [religious fee] [is] an exclusive prerogative of the Imam, the main source of wealth of the Aga Khans," wrote researcher Eva-Maria von Kemnitz, former director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Catholic University of Portugal. The tax exemptions of the Imam and the Imamat also extend to taxes on real estate, cars, boats or airplanes and the VAT paid is subject to reimbursement. In addition, the Imamat may receive, hold or transfer "funds, securities, gold and other precious metals or currencies." In the agreement reached with the Portuguese State, it was also defined that Aga Khan IV, his family and the senior officials of the Ismaili Imamat will receive diplomatic treatment and judicial immunity, as well as tax exemption on their salaries.

He is internationally known as "His Highness", although he is not a Head of State. In 2018, during the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee in Lisbon, he was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with a guard of honor, and even delivered a speech the Assembly of the Republic.

LOYAL PARTNERS

By accelerating donations to the Portuguese foundation, Aga Khan IV has also increased the weight of his contributions on the organisation's budget. Three-quarters of the Aga Khan Foundation's funds come from his pockets, even though the institution has more than 30 funders.

Source: Aga Khan Foundation Portugal


In 2017, the Aga Khan Portugal Foundation reported a profit of 3.6 million Euros, unlike previous years when there were losses.

WITH A FOOT IN AFRICA

Mozambique receives most of the funds from the Aga Khan Portugal Foundation. In 2017, 79% of the donations were directed to projects in Mozambique. These four programmes absorbed three-quarters of the foundation's resources that year.

Coastal Rural Support Programme
Location: Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Zambézia (Mozambique)
Funds in 2017: €4.9 million
This project seeks to mitigate the poverty and underdevelopment of the three northernmost provinces of Mozambique. With such disparate programmes as the training of farmers and the organisation of financial savings groups, the Coastal Rural Support Programme reaches the areas of agriculture, civil society, financial inclusion, education and health. In 2017, it benefited 35 thousand people. Approximately 61% of the funding for this project came from the World Bank.

Aga Khan Academy of Maputo
Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Funds in 2017: 2.9 million Euros
After Mombasa, in Kenya, and Hyderabad, India, the Aga Khan Academy opened in Maputo in 2013. This education facility currently covers kindergarten through to eighth grade education, but it has plans for expansion. All of the 2017 funding came from the fortune of Aga Khan IV.

K’Cidade
Location: Metropolitan Areas of Lisbon and Porto
Funds in 2017: 1.6 million Euros
K'Cidade is the community development programme of the Aga Khan Portugal Foundation which opened in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, but has expanded to Porto, Trofa and Maia. This project seeks to mobilise people and organisations for collective action. Aga Khan IV financed 61% of the funds needed in this project. The rest came from public and private entities, such as the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and the Lisbon City Council.

Early Childhood Development Programme
Location: Lisbon
Funds in 2017: 1.2 million Euros
At the invitation of the Social Security Institute, the Aga Khan Portugal Foundation has managed the Olivais Sul Children's Centre since 2009. The experience led the organidation to expand the programme to other areas. It now includes, among others, nursemaid training courses and parental education programmes for expecting couples. Less than half of the funding for the Early Childhood Development Programme comes from Aga Khan IV. The Social Security Institute and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson were the second and third largest funders, respectively.

MORE INVESTMENT

In addition to the increasing budget of the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal, the investments made have also taken shape. One of the recent projects is the construction of the Aga Khan Academy in Europe, a school that aims to receive 1,000 students from ages 5 to 18 . The first check had a value of 4 million euros and was used in the purchase of the 40 acre land in Oeiras, where the Academy will be built. However, the total investment in the academy will be around 100 million Euros over the next three to four years. Nazim Ahmad (in the photo), who represents the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal, guarantees that the foundation will not stop here. He promises new projects in Portugal. The announcement is reserved for summer.

Born in Geneva in 1936, raised in Nairobi and educated at Le Rosey and Harvard, Aga Khan IV travels with a British passport and spends much of his time traveling the four corners of the globe on his private plane, but his current residence is Lisbon.
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Throwing shade on the Aga Khan

Penney Kome
May 5, 2019
Politics in Canada

The Aga Khan addresses the 2014 London Conference

If the Pope invited the prime minister's family to visit for the holidays, and sent a private jet to pick them up, would the Opposition be hinting at a breach of ethics? What if the invitation came from the Dali Lama?

It was announced this week, in a letter sent by Conservative MP Peter Kent, that the Conservatives will seek a criminal investigation into Justin Trudeau's December 2017 trip to the Aga Khan's private Caribbean island. This followed a Federal Court ruling ordering the lobbying commissioner to re-examine whether the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims violated the code for lobbyists when he extended the invitation to the Trudeau family. The case was brought before the Federal Court by Democracy Watch.

The way Peter Kent, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, and Democracy Watch keep pursuing Justin Trudeau about his family's visit with the Aga Khan is enough to make a person wonder a) if they don't understand that the current Aga Khan IV is globally revered by people of all faiths, or b) if they are so eager to score a few political points that they are willing to risk being perceived as Islamophobic.

Mind you, for people of a certain age, the name "Aga Khan" is associated with the Prince Ali Salman Aga Khan, known as Aly Khan, a son of Sultan Mahommed Shah. Mid-century, he was famous for loving fast horses and fast cars. He also had a reputation for seducing married women, one of whom was movie star Rita Hayworth, then also being courted by the Shah of Iran and Greek billionaire Aristotle Onassis. For mid-century memories, "Aga Khan" may be a name from the tabloids.

However, Ali Khan's father, Sultan Mahommed Shah, Aga Khan III, (1877-1957) was a distinguished religious leader of the world's 10 to 15 million Ismaili Muslims, the liberal Islamic denomination whose members are usually in professions, commerce or business, to which Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi belongs. As with Christian groups like Quakers and Mennonites, world service is part of the Ismaili religion.

"The Ismaili Muslims are a global, multi-ethnic community whose members, comprising a wide diversity of cultures, languages and nationalities, live in Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America," explains the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) website.

Sir Sultan (the Aga Khans hold British citizenship) led his people in building strong communities wherever the South Asian diaspora scattered them. When he died in 1957, his will skipped over his wild son, Aly Khan, and unexpectedly named as his heir, his grandson, Prince Shah Karim Al Husseini, then only 20 years old. Since then, Prince Karim seems to have made every effort to live up to his destiny. Although he's been divorced three times, he's met each wife respectably.

To his followers, Prince Karim is a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammed, and holds the 49th Imamat, the top Ismaili religious post. When he was named to the Imamat, the Prince announced solemnly, "My religious responsibilities begin as of today."

But there's a wrinkle: "In Islam's ethical tradition, religious leaders not only interpret the faith but also have a responsibility to help improve the quality of life in their community and in the societies amongst which they live," explains the AKDN website.

Members of the Ismaili faith usually tithe, donating 10 percent or more of their income to the Imamat, funds intended to improve life in the poorest parts of the world, and to bring Ismailis out of dangerous regions, such as Tajikistan and Sudan. The Prince founded the AKDN in the 1980s to distribute those funds, by unifying an existing network. For 40 years, he has constantly directed and contributed its growth to what is now a $925 million a year humanitarian outreach program to the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.

These days, the AKDN employs 80,000 people working in 30 countries mainly in Africa and Asia, focussing on education and healthcare, among 10 departments that include culture and microfinance. Although projects tend to take place in mainly Muslim areas, that's not a requirement.

The AKDN often works in collaboration with other aid agencies whose values are in alignment, especially Canadian agencies. Indeed, the AKDN has worked so often with Canadian aid agencies that in 2010, Prime Minister Stephen Harper made Prince Karim an honorary Canadian citizen, one of only five ever appointed. The Prince's voluminous list of other honours and awards includes 24 honorary doctorates from universities around the world, including Harvard, McGill, U of Toronto, and seven other Canadian universities.

In 2014, Harper invited Prince Karim to make a rare outsider's address to Parliament. The two then signed a Protocol of Understanding, spelling out a $100 million joint investment initiative called "The Partnership for Advancing Human Development in Africa and Asia," to improve the quality of life for more than a million people living in Asia and Africa.

Up until Andrew Scheer's complaint to the lobbying commissioner, then, Canada and the Aga Khan have been on very good terms. So the tone of Scheer's complaint was shocking to many. As Andrew Cohen noted in 2017, some comments in the House make the Aga Khan sound like "just another sly, low 'lobbyist,' a dime-store remittance man seeking 'privileged access' to a naif with the offer of a free holiday. It’s absurd!" he concluded.

Prince Karim is fabulously wealthy himself, of course, with a net worth estimated at between $800 million and $3 billion. He also inherited his grandfather's race horse stables, and has become a renowned race horse breeder. Rather than seeking more wealth or influence, he is known as a philanthropist, paying AKDN's expenses, for example, so that denomination members' donations can go entirely to benefit others.

The issue, the Court said, is that the Aga Khan Foundation employs a registered lobbyist, and the Aga Khan is listed as a foundation board member. The judge emphasized this is a theoretical point, not a suggestion that Justin Trudeau might influence the foundation to add the Aga Khan to its board -- which was wise, because the idea anybody could influence what role the Prince plays on the AKDN Board is ridiculous, risible and could be perceived as offensive.

One Calgary member of an Ismaili congregation scorned the idea that the PM had any influence over Prince Karim's position on the AK Foundation. "The AgaKhan Development Network belongs to His Highness The AgaKhan and His entire Family" she wrote in a message. "He is the Founding Chair and has been for 40 years since He established it. He has given so much to the Global development including Canada, that it is a shame politicians only see what is in front of their noses and nothing beyond."

Canada has more than 100,000 vocal, articulate, politically active Ismaili Muslims -- many of whom view the Aga Khan as He with a capital H -- and more than a million Muslims altogether. Thousands more immigrants are grateful to the AKDN for help received at home or on the journey.

Andrew Scheer and Peter Kent don't seem to understand or care that the way they has been carelessly denigrating the Aga Khan is liable to alienate a sizeable constituency of voters. Mind you, a person doesn't have to be Muslim to be offended by gratuitous slurs against one of the world's greatest living humanitarians -- just someone who cares about integrity.

Award-winning author and journalist Penney Kome has published six non-fiction books and hundreds of periodical articles, as well as writing a national column for 12 years and a local (Calgary) column for four years. She was editor of Straightgoods.com from 2004–2013.
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An Open Letter to His Highness The Aga Khan

Your Highness,

I write this letter from my hotel room in Hyderabad with very deep love in my heart and hope in my soul that, one day, I may have the honour and privilege of standing in your holy presence. This letter is an expression of my gratitude to you for what you and your institutions have done for India and I wish to share this gratitude with my fellow citizens.

Born in 1987, I was raised in a Punjabi Hindu household and in a social circle where the general opinion of Muslims was not flattering. My understanding of Muslims was poor and I had never even heard of the Ismailis until a few years ago. All throughout my childhood, I did not know that the owner of the very store where my family purchased its groceries was an Ismaili Muslim, Tejani Uncle. Sadly, he passed away last year but I remember him fondly as a gentle soul, one who was no doubt inspired by your teachings and example. I have grown up listening to the Bollywood music of Salim and Sulaiman, but only recently learned that they are your followers and have produced music to honour your Jubilees and to display their love and affection for you. Like these two artists, Ismailis are strong contributors to Indian society, yet so few know about the Ismaili faith as a shining example of Islam. Like so many, I have grown up in complete ignorance about your good office, the Ismaili Imamat, and the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), despite your impactful activities in so many sectors across India: from operating schools and hospitals, to providing irrigation and other support to countless farmers, to building parks, protecting our national treasures and restoring historic monuments. You have been extremely generous with your resources and our entire country owes you a debt of gratitude.

Although cultural and religious diversity has been an irreversible historical reality of Indian civilization, I can say confidently that very few Indians actually know or understand what pluralism means and how important it is. Yet it was on Indian soil, back in April 2003, when you told us that: “Tolerance, openness and understanding towards other peoples' cultures, social structures, values and faiths are now essential to the very survival of an interdependent world… Pluralism is no longer simply an asset or a prerequisite for progress and development, it is vital to our existence.” In a world where the image of Muslims is being tarnished by extremists, you and your work and your enlightened guidance to humanity in the form of your speeches and publications serve as beacons of light and hope that Muslims and non-Muslims can live in peace, harmony and mutual respect. Although I grew up in Mumbai, I had never heard of the Prince Aly Khan Hospital, named after your late father. And I had no idea that your hospitals and clinics, under the umbrella of Aga Khan Health Services, have been providing affordable and, in many cases, subsidized health care to thousands of Indians for decades. And although my childhood home was a mere 15 minutes from the Yuwan Housing Society in Bandra, I had no idea that you and your late grandfather have been actively building and supporting housing societies in India for nearly a century. Today, affordable housing is a huge problem in Mumbai, as in other parts of India. This was perhaps something that you foresaw. Only now, with three decades of hindsight, can we see the astonishing wisdom behind your decision to seed-fund the plethora of Ismaili housing societies across Mumbai and other parts of India, some of which have appreciated in value more than 100-fold since inception. Many of these were spawned with proceeds from your Silver Jubilee and today they are more precious than diamonds in the era of your Diamond Jubilee. City dwellers in India, including myself, often forget that the overwhelming majority of Indians live in the rural areas. And us city dwellers take our fruits and vegetables for granted, usually never knowing where the produce comes from. Yet the plethora of suicides by farmers is a high profile issue today and a concern to many Indians. Fortunately, many farmers in India have been spared an undignified life due to your foresight and the work of the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP). The beneficiary profile and impact of the AKRSP in India is truly astonishing. Active in more than 2200 villages across three states, your work has benefited over 250,000 families and 11,200 village organizations. Transcending the bounds of a patriarchal society, the AKRSP has mobilized more women than men

Today, I live in Pune. It is a city where you and your family have deep historical ties. And though I have been visiting Pune several times a year since my early childhood, only last year did I visit the Aga Khan Palace. Previously, I had no idea that Gandhi’s beloved wife, Kasturba, was buried there. And I had no idea that it was your late grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahamed Shah, who impressed upon the British to allow Gandhi-ji to reside there when he was placed under house arrest. Today, the Aga Khan Palace is a tourist attraction but sadly its role in Indian history is little known. In this short letter, it would not be possible to cover all that you have done for India but there is one story that I found particularly heartwarming. When Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) was undergoing a political crisis and the lives of thousands of Indians living in that country was at stake, I understand that you walked into the Air India head office in Nairobi and chartered planes to evacuate all Indians from Zaire and give them safe passage to Mumbai – and all of this at your personal expense! In a world where politicians shout their achievements and deeds from rooftops, your example of quiet diplomacy and extending a helping hand to the marginalized and unsafe is truly remarkable, indeed awe inspiring

In closing, I wish to personally thank you, in however small measure, for all that you have done for mother India and her people. I understand that you love biryani and samosas, and perhaps one day you will permit me the honour of meeting you and cooking for you. In the meantime, however, I will send nandi (food offering) to your Jamatkhana in Pune, as I have done in the past when I lived in Bangalore.

Yours faithfully,

Anusha Sachdeva

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Shattering Stereotypes With Aga Khan IV and the Ismaili Community
A Muslim leader dispels fears of diversity and Islamophobia by fostering a cosmopolitan ethic through architecture.


Sahir Dewji • Dec 05, 2019

Ismaili, Ismaili Muslims, Shia Ismaili, Aga Khan, Aga Khan news, Aga Khan IV, news on Aga Khan, Islam, Islamophobia, Canadian Muslims

Ismaili Centre Toronto © Karima Jivani

The rise of Islamophobia and the increase in hate crimes targeted at Muslims point to the lasting effect of Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” thesis. Twenty-three years after the publication of his book, the image of a “violent and irrational” Muslim continues to plague current policies and society at large.

Canada prides itself as being a multicultural nation that embraces diversity, yet anti-Muslim sentiments still remain a growing concern. Muslim Canadians continue to be the target of right-wing political ideas that ignite anxieties around Muslim expressions of identity. An Ipsos poll published in May suggests that discrimination against Muslims has become more acceptable in Canada.

The media’s superficial portrayal of Islam perpetuates a dreary picture of Muslims. Events such as the Quebec City Mosque shooting in 2017 that claimed the lives of six Muslims and the passing of Quebec’s Bill 21 in June 2019, which bans the wearing of religious symbols, have contributed to the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric across Canada. In all these acts, there is a common threat: a rejection of difference propelled by fear, founded in misconceptions and misinformation.

In the face of rising sociopolitical polarizations and inequity among minority races and classes, conversations surrounding diversity, inclusion and equity have become more pertinent than ever. There is a necessity for politicians, policymakers, community leaders (secular and religious) and citizens to conscientiously reflect and come together. Finding more sustainable and equitable strategies to combat dichotomies that divide and disenfranchise must become a priority in the current climate.
Aga Khan IV

One person who has committed his life’s work to cultural engagement and dispelling stereotypes about Muslims is His Highness Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. Inspired by Islam, Aga Khan IV is a world leader who addresses a myriad of contemporary issues facing humanity while championing the cause of pluralism. Through his efforts, Aga Khan IV offers a powerful antidote to the perpetuating orientalist perceptions that reduce Islam to intolerance and violence.

Many in the developing world are familiar with him through his development initiatives and services offered through the Aga Khan Development Network. As the founder of this network and as a Muslim religious leader, Aga Khan IV puts faith into action through a commitment to engagement and service to humankind.

In fact, Aga Khan IV’s engagement with human development and socioeconomic uplift supersedes any political affiliation. So much so that Andrew Scheer, the current leader of the Canadian Conservative Party, described Aga Khan IV as “a clear beacon and an example to follow … changing the world and making it a better place for those who are most in need of our assistance” during an address to the joint houses of Parliament in 2014. An interesting characterization by the Conservative leader who, along with his party members, have engaged in tarnishing Aga Khan IV’s stellar reputation for political gain.
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Aga Khan IV has spoken widely about the value of embracing a cosmopolitan ethic — an orientation of sorts that enables dialogue and partnerships among different peoples in order to advance the quality of life of every person. This outlook has been passed down from the Greeks to Muslims and, more recently, appropriated by leaders and academics.

According to Aga Khan IV, such a worldview rests on a deep spiritual foundation. Faith and the world are intricately linked, allowing for an approach that integrates religio-cultural values with socioeconomic commitments. This formulation also facilitates the engagement of the Ismaili Muslim community in the contemporary world. This cosmopolitan ethic envisions a type of human connectedness that aims to weave together the universal and the particular, as well as the spiritual and the material. Aga Khan IV has previously explained: “A cosmopolitan ethic accepts our ultimate moral responsibility to the whole of humanity, rather than absolutizing a presumably exceptional part … [it] will honor both our common humanity and our distinctive identities — each reinforcing the other as part of the same high moral calling.”

For Aga Khan IV, this cosmopolitan ethic is rooted in the rich ethico-religious tradition of Islam inspired by the Quran, which encourages the believer to embrace a common origin of humanity while acknowledging and respecting its diversity — a gift of the divine. The Quran says, “We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another” (49:13). In other words, knowing the other is a fulfillment of the divine will, of being Muslim and, indeed, of being human.

Aga Khan IV has chosen the medium of architecture to express the cosmopolitan spirit and brings different perspectives into dialogue. Speaking on September 13 at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture ceremony in Kazan, Russia, he once again emphasized the effective role architecture can have in paving this effort. He noted, “I believe deeply in the potential of the architectural world to help inspire and enrich a creative dialogue in all four of the areas I have mentioned: a dialogue between creative architectural partners, a dialogue between past and future, a dialogue between natural reality and human creativity, and a dialogue among diverse cultures.”

The layers of engagement and interchange of diverse commitments embedded in these areas of dialogue reflect those values sacred to a cosmopolitan ethic. There are two remarkable buildings in Canada commissioned by Aga Khan IV that play an important role in demystifying the faith of Islam and changing perceptions about Muslims: the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre Toronto. These institutional landmarks that sit on a 6.8-hectare site along the arterial Don Valley express Aga Khan IV’s commitment to a cosmopolitan ethic.

Although the Aga Khan Museum is a public institution accomplishing this task through its educational and cultural mission, I want to highlight the equally impressive Ismaili Centre that has added stimulating avenues toward shaping this cosmopolitan outlook.
Cosmopolitan Ethics and the Built Environment

The Ismaili Centre Toronto is the second ambassadorial building of its kind in Canada and the sixth among a family of Ismaili centers across the globe. These buildings have become a symbol of the Ismaili community’s approach to the Muslim faith and modern life on the world stage. The building’s facade is very much in keeping with the cosmopolitan ethic of expressing a long tradition of Islamic values while reflecting the fabric of the community in which it resides.

Serving as a site of congregation for the community, the Ismaili Centre also fulfills a more ambitious role of advancing opportunities for dialogue and engagement with the broader community. Over the past five years, it has played host to a number of workshops, seminars, round-table dialogues, Nawruz celebrations and the inaugural iftar dinner during Ramadan. In addition, it partakes in the annual “Doors Open Toronto,” welcoming Torontonians and offering an insider’s perspective on Muslim representation — helping to change the narrative, one human at a time.

The center’s impressive social hall is no stranger to entertaining sounds and enriching dialogue. It provides a safe venue for raising complex questions and encouraging mutual exchange and understanding. Collaboration is a key ingredient to the success of the Ismaili Centre’s programming.

In May, for example, the Women’s Portfolio for the Ismaili Council of Ontario, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (Toronto chapter), and the Muslim Awards for Excellence came together to host a panel discussion. Four remarkable women, including MP Iqra Khalid, spoke about the valuable contribution of women to Canadian society.

This is just one of the many thoughtful and engaging activities that take place within the center. Another intellectually-engaging series taking place at the Ismaili Centre Toronto is a Conversation Series that broaches a number of curated topics, ranging from bioethics to art. In this way, the Ismaili Centre and its initiatives live up to the ambitious role of representing the values of a Muslim community, productively engaging with civic life and building bridges between diverse communities. This is indeed a testament to Aga Khan IV’s cosmopolitan ethos.

The Ismaili Centre, situated in the vibrant and diverse city of Toronto, sends a bold message to Canada and the world at a time of heightened Islamophobia.
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Post by kmaherali »

JollyGul.com: 63 Years of Principles In Action #ImamatDay2020
BY ISMAILIMAIL POSTED ON JULY 12, 2020

Something happened on July 11, 1957 that changed the life of a 20 year-old student at Harvard University.

Our 48th Imam Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III passed the responsibilities of the Ismaili Imamat to Prince Karim our present Imam who was still a student at Harvard University.

That day, everything changed for our Imam-e-Zaman. Personal ambition and interests got replaced in an instant with a life of service – the Jamat would take center place in his life henceforth.

Over the next decades, millions of lives would be touched by the work of Mawlana Hazar Imam. People would pass through our schools, universities and hospitals, many would get touched by the rural support programs, primary health care outreach, emergency relief efforts, scholarships, museum and historical sites, architecture and garden projects, economic initiatives in areas where the private sector would dare not venture – but the Imamat would, to pave the path for others.

One life touched at a time, millions of beneficiaries over the decades. Life paths changed for the better.

So what are we celebrating on July 11th 2020? As Ismailis, of course, we are expressing our deep gratitude and appreciation for 63 years of guidance, love, leadership and service by our beloved Hazar Imam. And we are re-affirming our absolute and complete spiritual allegiance to our Imam-e-Zaman in accordance with our faith.

But we are not stopping there. We are also celebrating the millions of lives that have been touched and made better over the decades by the vastly expanded scope of activities by our “ambitious 49th Imam”.

JollyGul63Years
Image

In the picture taken at Harvard in 1958, Hazar Imam is reading a letter and looks happy. You can also detect a smile. But close your eyes for a minute, and just imagine the weight of responsibilities on our Imam at that time.

Now fast forward to 2020 and look at our community today. Geographically dispersed but united, aware of its history of 1,400 years but always forward looking. Tolerant and embracing diversity but always taking a firm stand on right versus wrong. Balancing worldly pursuits with spiritual awareness and social conscience. Economically successful but believing that wealth creation only makes sense if it improves the lives of all.

All this flows from the ethics of our faith. But there are two things that Mawlana Hazar Imam has always done. First, he has constantly reminded us of these principles. And secondly, he has led us by example and demonstrated to us in so many different ways on how to make these principles actionable in our daily lives.

Leadership matters. We have seen countries around the world, rich and poor, with beautifully written constitutions and founding documents get into a state of total dysfunction not because they do not have these principles written somewhere, but because people have conveniently forgotten about them and leaders are looking for short-term “wins” and being opportunistic.

Looking back the last 63 years, we see in Mawlana Hazar Imam a steadfast vision, a deep concern always for the Jamat and societies in which they live, a rigorous work ethic and a unique ability to translate these principles into real life vibrant institutions, projects and programs for the benefit of millions of people.

We feel truly blessed on this 63rd Imamat Day.

Imamat Day Mubarak From The JollyGul Team!
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https://www.larazon.es/gente/20200808/l ... utType=amp

El Aga Khan, el confidente de Don Juan Carlos
Se conocen desde pequeños, cuando compartían pupitre en el internado de Suiza. Ayudó a su hija Cristina en Ginebra y quizá ahora a él


Image

Doña Sofía y Don Juan Carlos charlan animadamente con su amigo el Aga Khan/Foto: SERGIO PEREZ/REUTERS

Carmen Duerto
Última actualización:08-08-2020

El miércoles, cuando solo se hablaba de República Dominicana, puse sobre la mesa el nombre del Aga Khan, un hombre que llama Juanito, al Rey Emérito, que siempre está para lo bueno y para lo necesario, y que cuenta con el mérito de la discreción. El problema de los comunicados que dejan abiertos interrogantes importantes como el lugar donde el Rey Juan Carlos fijará su residencia en el extranjero, si es una medida temporal o hasta el fin de sus días y con quién o cómo se le dará cobijo, dan pie a que esas preguntas que quedan en el aire se traten de despejar.

Haciendo repaso a la historia de la familia real, hay un personaje discreto, que siempre está cuando se le necesita y que tiene más de lo que una mente humana pudiera imaginar, un hombre que llama al rey Juan Carlos, «Juanito» porque compartieron pupitre en el internado suizo al que no hay que premiar ni con marquesados, ni con medallas porque las tiene todas inherentes a su figura y, por si necesitase algo terrenal, la Reina Isabel le concedió, hace sesenta años, la distinción de Su Alteza. El rey de más de veinte millones de Ismaelitas es como Dios en la tierra por ser descendiente directo del profeta Mahoma. Hasta decir su nombre impone: el Aga Khan. En pleno confinamiento, Pedro Campos, me dijo que su casa de Sanxenxo tenía las puertas abiertas para Don Juan Carlos, también la familia Fanjul y la República Dominicana cuentan con mucho atractivo y Don Juan Carlos tiene las dependencias de sus mansiones a su disposición para cuando desee. De hecho, el Rey Emérito no es un personaje desconocido en esos lugares, pero estamos enmedio de una pandemia mundial, Don Juan Carlos tiene 82 años y se va de España, a petición propia, a raíz de las contundentes medidas que el Rey Felipe VI ha tomado y la reacción del pueblo soberano para que aclare su situación financiera.

Cobijo en el castillo

Y ahí entraría una vez más el Aga Khan que cobijó en su castillo de Chantilly el incipiente amor que se gestaba en Francia entre la infanta Elena y Jaime de Marichalar. También alojó en sus cuadras a los caballos de la primogénita de Don Juan Carlos cuando en España se declaró un brote de peste equina. En esos establos cría sus cotizados puras sangre, como Shelgar el caballo de carreras más caro del mundo que fue secuestrado y nunca apareció. El Aga Khan se negó a pagar rescate por él. Doña Sofía también ha conocido y apreciado las posesiones del Aga Khan y cuando la infanta Cristina comenzó a estar cuestionada, sin estridencias y con discreción, como hace un amigo del que te puedes fiar, el rey de los ismaelitas le ofreció una fuente de ingresos y una cobertura en Ginebra.

Un hombre que se convirtió en Su Alteza el Aga Khan IV muy joven por deseo de su abuelo, ademas su padre, el «play boy», Aly Khan, murió estrellado contra un árbol del Bois de Bologne en Paris, pero antes le había dado tiempo a casarse con la millonaria, Joan Guinness, madre del actual Aga Khan, también con Rita Hayworth y había enamorado a la famosa modelo Bettina, musa de Dior y de su New Look.Karim Aga Khan IV es contemporáneo de Don Juan Carlos, tiene 83 años, estuvo tutelando a la infanta Elena, pero también a la infanta Cristina y su primogénita, Zahra Khan, es amiga de toda la vida de Elena, Cristina y Felipe de Borbón, los hijos de Cristina y Zahra han estudiado en el mismo colegio suizo y aunque sea en distintas aéreas, las dos trabajan en la AKDN, Aga Khan Development Network, que también tiene una impresionante sede en Portugal, donde llevan trabajando 35 años. La conexión con Portugal no es baladí, si también tenemos en cuenta que el presidente portugués, estuvo hace unas semanas en el palacio de La Zarzuela en visita privada con los dos reyes presentes.
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Post by kmaherali »

Google translation of the above article.

The Aga Khan, the confidant of Don Juan Carlos

They have known each other since they were little, when they shared a desk in the boarding school in Switzerland. He helped his daughter Cristina in Geneva and maybe now him

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On Wednesday, when they only talked about the Dominican Republic, I put on the table the name of Aga Khan, a man who calls Juanito, the King Emeritus, who is always there for what is good and what is necessary, and who has the merit of the discretion. The problem of communications that leave open important questions such as the place where King Juan Carlos will establish his residence abroad, if it is a temporary measure or until the end of his days and with whom or how he will be given shelter, give rise to that those questions that remain in the air are tried to clear.

Reviewing the history of the royal family, there is a discreet character, who is always there when needed and who has more than a human mind could imagine, a man who calls King Juan Carlos, "Juanito" because they shared a desk In the Swiss boarding school that should not be awarded with marquisates or medals because he has all of them inherent to his figure and, in case he needed something earthly, Queen Elizabeth granted him, sixty years ago, the distinction of Her Highness. The king of more than twenty million Ishmaelites is like God on earth because he is a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad. Even saying his name imposes: the Aga Khan. In full confinement, Pedro Campos, told me that his house in Sanxenxo had the doors open for Don Juan Carlos, also the Fanjul family and the Dominican Republic have a lot of attraction and Don Juan Carlos has the dependencies of his mansions at his disposal when he wants. In fact, King Emeritus is not an unknown person in those places, but we are in the midst of a global pandemic, Don Juan Carlos is 82 years old and is leaving Spain, at his own request, as a result of the forceful measures that King Felipe VI has taken and the reaction of the sovereign people to clarify their financial situation.

Shelter in the castle

And there the Aga Khan would enter once again, who sheltered in his castle at Chantilly the incipient love that was brewing in France between the Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar. He also housed the horses of Don Juan Carlos' first-born in his stables when an outbreak of African horse sickness was declared in Spain. In those stables he raises his prized thoroughbreds, like Shelgar the most expensive racehorse in the world who was kidnapped and never appeared. The Aga Khan refused to pay ransom for him. Doña Sofía has also known and appreciated the possessions of the Aga Khan and when the Infanta Cristina began to be questioned, without fanfare and with discretion, as does a friend you can trust, the king of the Ismailis offered her a source of income and a coverage in Geneva.

where they have been working for 35 years. The connection with Portugal is not trivial, if we also take into account that the Portuguese president was a few weeks ago in the palace of La Zarzuela on a private visit with the two kings present.

A man who became His Highness the Aga Khan IV very young at the wish of his grandfather, in addition to his father, the "play boy", Aly Khan, died crashed into a tree in the Bois de Bologne in Paris, but had previously given him time to marry the millionaire, Joan Guinness, mother of the current Aga Khan, also with Rita Hayworth and had fallen in love with the famous model Bettina, muse of Dior and his New Look.Karim Aga Khan IV is a contemporary of Don Juan Carlos, has 83 years, she was guarding the Infanta Elena, but also the Infanta Cristina and her first-born, Zahra Khan, is a lifelong friend of Elena, Cristina and Felipe de Borbón, the children of Cristina and Zahra have studied at the same school Swiss and even in different areas, both work in the AKDN, Aga Khan Development Network, which also has an impressive headquarters in Portugal, where they have been working for 35 years. The connection with Portugal is not trivial, if we also take into account that the Portuguese president was a few weeks ago in the palace of La Zarzuela on a private visit with the two kings present.
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Post by kmaherali »

The most effective world leader you’ve never heard of,
and how we can “partner” with him, investing in Africa

Image

Rarely does any so-called “world leader” impress me. Some of them probably mean well in that superior, “I know better than you do what’s good for you” kind of way.

But in the big scheme of things, they are all elected for very short periods of time in office. Australian Prime Ministers get only three years at a time. US Presidents get four, maximum eight years.

In my view, that means they have little or no realistic chance to effect meaningful change for the good and leave their mark, unless they attempt something radical and reckless in the short term, pandering to certain interest groups.

Therein lies the problem. It takes much longer to effect meaningful change.

To cut to the chase, the list of world leaders, or former world leaders who served in my own adult life-time, whom I admire, is pretty short.

There are two:

- Nelson Mandela. Madiba, as his countrymen affectionately knew him, had his flaws. We all do. But for a man to emerge after being wrongfully imprisoned for decades for his beliefs, to then wipe the slate clean, hold no grudges, and move forward from that day on, to serve in a position of leadership for the betterment of everyone in his country, despite the historical baggage and animosity created by Apartheid, is truly remarkable.
I’m glad he lived a long life, and that many were touched by his dignity, wisdom and grace. It is a crying shame that he was unable to install a competent group of successors to carry on his legacy.

South Africa is one of my favourite countries. It’s an amazing, beautiful place. But in recent times it has unfortunately been ruled mostly by imbeciles. And there’s little on the horizon that looks like an improvement. Mandela would be turning in his grave.

- The Aga Khan. Who? Not many of you will even have heard of him. If you have, what you’ve heard is probably wrong.
The Aga Khan is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He leads the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam. He took over from his Grandfather, the Aga Khan III, at the age of only 20, in 1957, when he was still a student at Harvard.

His followers number between 15 and 20 million. They are a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-national group bound together by their faith, values, and way of life. They live in approximately 25 different countries around the world. They are, as such, a nation without a homeland.

The Ismailis are a very successful minority group in East Africa. They have been there for hundreds of years, after emigrating from British-controlled India.

There are sizable communities in Kenya, where the Aga Khan spent a large part of his own boyhood, Tanzania, and even Uganda, where the Ismailis were previously expelled by dictator Idi Amin back in the 1970s.

The Aga Khan was instrumental, via his personal friendship with Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, in negotiating safe passage to Canada for many East African Ismailis following their expulsion from Uganda. Many also settled in the UK at that time, as they had ties to the UK from the time when both India and East Africa were British colonies.

The guiding tenets of the Aga Khan’s world view, which he encourages his followers to adhere to are pluralism, tolerance and a cosmopolitan ethic.

In his own words, “A cosmopolitan ethic accepts our ultimate moral responsibility to the whole of humanity, rather than absolutizing a presumably exceptional part … [it] will honour both our common humanity and our distinctive identities — each reinforcing the other as part of the same high moral calling.”

More...

https://globalvaluehunter.com/the-most- ... -heard-of/
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October 18 • 1pm PT | 4pm ET • Webinar

Circles of Reflection: Exploring the Speeches of Mawlana Hazar Imam


Circles of Reflection (COR) is a program designed to examine speeches made by Mawlana Hazar Imam. Small groups will be formed in each session and guided by a facilitator. The purpose of this initiative is to build on the diversity of thoughts and perspectives to lead to a richer understanding of the speech.

Registered participants will be expected to have read the speech, share their interpretations and learnings, encourage dialogue, and express their personal viewpoints. Sessions will be 45 minutes in length. Multi-faith family members are warmly encouraged to participate.

Join us for the fifth session on Sunday, October 18 at either 1pm PT / 2pm MT / 4pm ET or at 3pm PT / 4pm MT / 6pm ET. We will be discussing Mawlana Hazar Imam's speech at Peshawar University on November 30, 1967.

Registration closes Sunday, October 18 at 10am PT / 11pm MT / 1pm ET.

Register

https://iicanada.org/national/circle-re ... ation-form
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Post by kmaherali »

Rendez-vous French: Interview de Mawlana Hazar Imam à Alep (Syrie) - 8 November 2001

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D8VJ5EVZNY

Nous sommes ravis de partager avec vous cette interview de Mawlana Hazar Imam accordée à la chaine libanaise LBC en novembre 2001. (with English subtitles)
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/horserac ... yacht-jet/

For Photos, click on link above

KHAN DO ‘World’s most elusive billionaire’ and racing mogul’s property empire includes £200m yacht and biggest private jet

Sam Morgan

17:24, 24 Sep 2021Updated: 19:39, 24 Sep 2021

HE has been called the 'world's most elusive billionaire' and boasts a sprawling property empire that includes a £200million superyacht and the biggest private jet on the planet.

A racing mogul who owned arguably the most famous horse ever, he is a spiritual leader and made headlines for a divorce rumoured to have cost £50million.

Estimated to be worth up to £9.5billion, the Aga Khan lives a life even multi-millionaires can only dream of.

That vast wealth - much of which is used for philanthropic purposes - has also allowed him to indulge in, among many other things, his love of racing.

The owner of infamous racehorse Shergar, he is one of the world's most successful racing magnates and even splashed £2.2m on the restoration of what has been labelled 'the most luxurious stables ever built'.

Based in Chantilly in northern France, the yard was originally constructed by an 18th century French prince who believed he would be reincarnated as a horse.

That, as far as we know, never happened and the property fell into a state of disrepair before the Aga Khan stepped in.

Now, towering over the grounds is a jaw-dropping chateau, enough room in the stables for 250 horses and a sign welcoming the public to look around.

Truth be told though, spending more than £2m on this was a mere drop in the ocean compared to the £200m the 84-year-old is said to have spent on his superyacht.

Named The Alamshar after one of his horses, the vessel was commissioned in the 1990s with the objective of being the fastest in the world.
£200M YACHT NAMED AFTER HORSE

A stunning 174ft palace on the seas, the yacht was beset by 'challenging' construction issues and wasn't actually finished until 2014.

Even then it fell short of its target of being able to travel 70 knots (80mph), maxing out at 45 knots (51.7mph).

Issues aside, the jaw-dropping yacht, which is powered by six gas turbines and 112 water jets, looks incredible out at sea.

The Aga Khan's most famous horses

Shergar

Won the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George.

Was famously kidnapped and reportedly shot.

Sea The Stars

Won the Epsom Derby, 2000 Guineas and, among others, the Arc de Triomphe.

Zarkava

Won the Arc de Triomphe among others.

Sinndar

Won the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Arc de Triomphe.

While in the sky his recently purchased Bombardier Global 7500 - which claims to be the world's biggest private jet - really stands out.

According to manufacturer Bombardier, the Global 7500 has a 'luxurious interior with four true living spaces, a full size kitchen and a dedicated crew suite'.
WORLD'S BIGGEST PRIVATE JET

It has a range of 7,700 nautical miles, top speed of 710mph, is 111ft long and 104ft wide, including wings.

With properties all over the world that can come in handy when the Aga Khan, a leader to some 15million Ismaili Muslims, wants to jet off to the island he owns in the Bahamas.

Reportedly purchased for just over £73m in 2009, the 349-acre private retreat was once said to have had Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and Nicolas Cage as neighbours on their own nearby private islands too.

But despite the jets and yachts, it hasn't always been plain sailing.
PRIVATE BAHAMAS ISLAND

The Aga Khan made headlines in 2014 when it was reported his divorce to second wife Gabriele Thyssenn was settled for £50m.

Still, the 'world's most connected man' - as he was called in one article - can rely on a vast network of friends for company.

That has included the Queen and William and Kate, who the Aga Khan was pictured alongside in London in 2019.
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Re: MHI Interview by LBC in Aleppo in 2001

Post by Admin »

Just as a refresher:

2001, November 8: Aleppo, Syria - "Rendez-vous" French Interview de Mawlana Hazar Imam à Alep (Syrie)

https://www.ismaili.net/Syria/interview/lbc.html - French text

https://ismaili.net/Syria/interview/lbcenglish.html - English translation
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The Silent Prince of Islam - Aga Khan Interviewed by Annette Allison

Post by kmaherali »

May be repeat.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eliPurA41fY

The Silent Prince of Islam - Aga Khan Interviewed by Annette Allison
A Channel O Production

#agakhan #ismaili #Imamat #TheIsmaili #HH #Islam #Muslim #PrincessSalimah #Salimah #SalimahAgaKhan #alysunderji
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