Story by A CORRESPONDENT
Publication Date: 7/14/2007
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims has committed himself to support democratic processes, to find means to help the poor, and to address political and theological tensions through consensus among Muslims.
The Aga Khan (background second right) meets with leaders in Mali past picture. Photos/FILE
The Aga Khan was speaking on Wednesday at a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of his accession to the Ismaili Imamat.
He succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan as the 49th hereditary Imam on July 11, 1957.
The colourful ceremony was attended by more than 250 leaders from the Ismaili community from about 25 countries.
Speaking on the development of the various institutions that constitute the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the largest not-for-profit development networks in the world, the Aga Khan said he had been most fortunate in having the support of wise men and women from Ismaili communities throughout the world, whose honorary service was an indicator of the timeless tradition of service.
Reflecting on major events that had taken place since he assumed the Imamat, the Aga Khan mentioned decolonisation, the Cold War, the fall of communism and effects of globalisation worldwide.
He hoped that his Golden Jubilee would enable the institutions and activities of the AKDN to strengthen and consolidate themselves, so that they could assist in the various countries where the Ismaili community is settled and that these institutions would create opportunities for future generations.
The Aga Khan highlighted the value of civil society and how it could contribute to better processes of democratic government.
In many countries in Asia and Africa, ?Democracy is young and still relatively ineffective in support of modern development activities. While a strong civil society can and does help to counter-balance such ineffectiveness, the processes of democratic government must also receive more attention and support? said the Aga Khan.
The Aga Khan thanked the Ismaili community for their generosity and support over the past 50 years, which helped him turn a system of local projects into one of the world?s largest private development networks that serves people of all faiths.
On the current global situations that depict opposition between Islam and the West, the Aga Khan emphasised that Muslims themselves were best suited to address some of the issues facing them.
He called for the revitalisation of essential values of Islam, which he felt could only be done through greater collaboration among different interpretations of the faith.
“Political situations with a theological overlay are causing disaffection or antagonism between communities of the same faith, and even more so amongst different faiths,” said the Aga Khan.
“At the centre of this turbulence is Islam. We cannot let this continue. On the other hand, the sheer scale of the problem, added to its complexity, make it an issue which the Ummah in its entirety can better address, rather than individual schools of interpretation within it.”
The Aga Khan leads a community of 12 to 15 million Ismaili Muslims living in 25 countries, mainly in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
He is the founder and chairman of the AKDN, a group of nine agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, micro-finance, disaster management, rural development, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities.
Guided by the Islamic ethic of compassion for the less fortunate, the AKDN works for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion.
Ismailimail 