The Daily Star – May 22. The visiting Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community, Prince Karim Aga Khan, yesterday said his community would undertake various training programmes to develop human resources in Bangladesh.
He said this when talking to President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who was present at the meeting, spoke to reporters about the meeting.
The Aga Khan assured the president of enhancing support to Bangladesh in achieving its development goals in different fields.
During the meeting, the president welcomed Prince Karim Aga Khan and thanked him for his contributions towards social, economic, religious and cultural development of the world Muslims as well as the people of Bangladesh.
President Iajuddin recognised the contribution of Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to Bangladesh’s development, especially in the fields of education, healthcare, micro-finance, civil society development and poverty alleviation and hoped that the support would continue.
He thanked the Aga Khan for the contribution of the Ismaili community to Bangladesh’s economic development, their services to the nation and establishment of the Aga Khan Academy for education and cultural development.
The president sought cooperation from the head of the Ismaili community in funding research work and stipends for Dhaka University students to promote quality education.
He suggested that the Ismaili community should take the excellent investment opportunities that Bangladesh offer to potential investors, especially in the fields of information and communication technology and agro-processing industries.
Prince Karim Aga Khan told the president that he had fruitful discussions with the Bangladesh authorities in strengthening relation between Bangladesh and his community and informed him of reviving the Aga Khan Gold Cup, once the most popular football tournament in the country.
Director of Diplomatic Affairs Shafik Sachedina, President of Aga Khan Council for Bangladesh Habib Hirji and Director of Aga Khan Academies Salim Bhatia were present.
Foreign affairs adviser, Minister-in-Waiting Raja Debashish Roy, Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary of the President’s Office Md Sirajul Islam and Press Secretary to the President Abdul Awal Howlader were also present.
Ismailimail 