14:05 01-08-2007
Bishkek (AKIpress) – More than 200 representatives of civil society, government, business community, the diplomatic corps and international organizations gathered in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, on Tuesday to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan.
Mrs. Nurjehan Mawani, the Head of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Representation in Kyrgyzstan and the country’s foreign minister, His Excellency Ednan Karabaev, addressed the gathering at the Bishkek Hyatt Hotel. Representatives of the parliament, civil society and local government from Naryn and Osh districts presented their messages of congratulations. Guests at the event were delighted by the music of the Tengir-Too Ensemble and Center Ustatshakirt, which are sponsored by the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia (AKMICA), a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
His Highness the Aga Khan completed his 50th year as the Imam of the Ismaili community on 11 July 2007. Fifty years ago, at the age of 20, the Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
In keeping with the Shia tradition of Islam, the mandate of the Imam extends to both spiritual and worldly matters. Since assuming the office of Imamat in 1957, Prince Karim Aga Khan has taken upon himself his grandfather’s concern for the well-being of the Ismaili community, the wider Muslim community, and those amongst whom they live. He has emphasised Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith that teaches compassion and tolerance and upholds the dignity of mankind.
The Aga Khan leads a community of 15 million Ismaili Muslims living in some 25 countries, mainly in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America. He is founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of nine agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, microfinance, disaster reduction, rural development, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities – all of which are catalysts for development. Guided by the Islamic ethic of compassion for those less fortunate, the AKDN works for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion. The AKDN spends in excess of US$ 320 million annually on social and cultural development activities.
The Ismaili Imamat and AKDN have signed agreements of cooperation and protocols with 15 countries in Africa, Central and South Asia, Europe and the Middle East as well as with international organizations and multilateral and bilateral agencies. These include the Agreement of Cooperation of 2001 between the Kyrgyz Republic and Ismaili Imamat and the international Treaty between the Ismaili Imamat and the Republics of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic establishing the University of Central Asia (UCA).
The Aga Khan Development Network brings to Kyrgyzstan more than 25 years of experience in working with mountainous communities and a commitment to go beyond common concerns related to poverty and the need to improve living conditions. AKDN seeks to promote the socio-economic development of Kyrgyzstan, as well as Central Asia more generally, while at the same time helping to preserve and draw upon the rich cultural traditions and heritage as assets for the future. Through a broad range of initiatives, the AKDN is investing in the long term future and prosperity of Kyrgyzstan and of Central Asia.
AKDN’s experience has highlighted three critical elements for effective sustainable development, (i) Participation, (ii) Ownership and (iii) Institutional strengthening and capacity building. In fostering sustainable development, it has also become clear that poverty alleviation and increased living standards for remote mountainous communities requires not only bringing growth to the poor but also bringing the poor to growth through investments in infrastructure as well as in human resource development.
AKDN firmly believes that the key to the future progress for Kyrgyzstan will be its ability to identify, develop and retain expert and effective home-grown leadership. Working on the basis of partnerships with governments, the local population as well as with international organizations, AKDN is investing in capacity building as well as in institutional strengthening in order to nurture and develop a cadre of expert and home grown leaders. AKDN’s focus in this regard is very much upon education of both children as well as adults through its early childhood development programs in rural areas, the primary and secondary school in Osh as well as the University of Central Asia. Located in Naryn, the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) is UCA’s first operational academic program and Central Asia’s first provider of formal, university based, non-degree educational programs.
Over the course of the next twelve months, in keeping with the tradition of launching new development initiatives during a Jubilee year, His Highness the Aga Khan will announce the creation of new development institutions and projects around the world and the significant expansion of existing ones.
The Golden Jubilee celebration presents an important opportunity to renew the AKDN’s commitment of support to the Government of the KR for its ongoing efforts in encouraging sustained social development and economic growth throughout the country. Through initiatives in rural development and education, engagement in financial services, and interest in participating in high quality tourism development, the AKDN is seeking to bring a significant contribution to the endeavours of Government and civil society for the benefit of all the peoples of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Ismailimail 