Bridges – Symbols of Connection, Cooperation and Harmony
“It has always seemed to me that bridges are among the most powerful and important symbols in human society – symbols of connection, of cooperation and of harmony. When harmony breaks down and conflicts ensue, the destroying of bridges is usually among the most urgent targets. But when peace and healing come, then it is the construction and rehabilitation of bridges that marks our progress.”
Excerpt from remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan
at the Inauguration of the Ishkashim Bridge
Ishkashim, Tajikistan, 31 October 2006
http://www.akdn.org/speeches/2006Oct31.htm
The Uniting Ethos of Abrahamic Tradition
“The shared destiny of the ethos of the Abrahamic tradition that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims is governed by the duty of loving care to help nurture each life that is born to its God-given potential. ”
Excerpt from the Speech by His Highness the Aga Khan
at the Banquet Hosted in Honour of Governor Perry,
Houston, June 23, 2002
http://www.akdn.org/speeches/texasb.html
Building a beautiful bridge – a bridge of hope
“The great Muslim philosopher al-Kindi wrote eleven hundred years ago, “No one is diminished by the truth, rather does the truth ennobles all”. That is no less true today.
We have much to build with. A common Abrahamic, monotheistic tradition. Common ethical principles, founded on shared human values. Common problems of yesterday, resolved together. Common challenges of tomorrow, that we can best face together. These, and all that much more that I cannot enumerate, but are fact, are the materials with which to build a bridge. Enlightened by sound intellect, I see its structure strongly built from the realities of our world. But any structure requires bonding, and of all the bonds that can link societies, America epitomises the strongest. It is called hope. The right to hope is the most powerful human motivation I know. Its importance has been paramount in the history of this nation. It is a reasonable expectation that the next generation will be better equipped to address the challenges of life than the present one. How beautiful that bridge of hope would be between the West and the Islamic world.”
Excerpt from Baccalaureate Address by His Highness the Aga Khan
Brown University, May 26, 1996
http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=101409
Ismailimail 