Some of you may have already come across this extremely interesting link, which was posted on Ismailimail a few days ago. It’s a selection of photographs, and a reproduction of the briefing note prepared by Secretary of State Dean Rusk (or rather, one of his staffers), pertaining to a meeting between US President John F. Kennedy and His Highness the Aga Khan at the White House fifty years ago, almost to the day. Rusk describes the Ismaili community as a ‘force for stability’ in East Africa, Pakistan, Iran and Egypt, and notes their integration efforts and charity work.
It’s interesting to note that the Aga Khan wished to speak to the President on two topics: (i) ‘the desirability of an independent federation of the now dependent territories of British East Africa (Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda, Zanzibar) and the Belgian trust territory of Ruanda Urundi; and (ii) the need to exercise a ‘moderating influence on nationalist African leaders’.
More: viva! east africa: Foresight: The Aga Khan’s vision for East Africa, 1961.
Ismailimail 