After his visit to Zanzibar in October 1988 to attend a seminar organized by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Mawlana Hazar Imam returned to Zanzibar on December 6, 1988 to sign a Protocol of Co-operation for Development with the Government of Zanzibar. Chief Minister Hon. Omar Ali Juma received Mawlana Hazar Imam at the airport on December 6 and hosted a grand dinner at Hotel Bwawani the next day in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam. During the visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Prince Amyn, visited the old stone town, and undertook for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) to assist the Government of Zanzibar on the restoration and revitalization of the old dispensary building and the Extelcom House in the stone town. The latter building is proposed to be converted into a small sized tourist class city centre hotel, and will be managed by the Serena Group. AKTC will also assist in the restoration and rehabilitation of Kelele Square and the water-front area from the Portuguese Fort to the Dispensary building.
On December 7, 1988, Mawlana Hazar Imam and Prince Amyn visited Mangapwani site, 15 miles north of Zanzibar town, where Tourism Promotion Services (Zanzibar) Limited, and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development are proposing to construct a 125 room beach resort with golfing and other sport facilities.
Mawlana Hazar Imam, on behalf of the Aga Khan Network, and the Chief Minister, Hon. Omar Ali Juma on behalf of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar signed the Protocol on December 8, after which Mawlana Hazar Imam hosted a lunch in honour of the Chief Minister. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister assured Mawlana Hazar Imam of his Government's full support in the realization of various tasks listed in the Protocol. Extending the Government's arm of friendship, the Chief Minister presented Mawlana Hazar Imam with a one-acre plot as a birthday gift to construct his own house in Zanzibar.
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