We continue with our countdown with a snapshot of Imam’s activities and selected world events focusing mainly on the developments in science and technology.
During Hazar Imam’s early Imamat, the countries that were emerging from colonial rule began to revise their economic and education aspirations, developing new services to meet their needs. Consequently, many of the education and health institutions established by Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah needed to be strengthened and expanded, and new institutions were established.
1963 to 1967
“There are those who enter the world in such poverty that they are deprived of both the means and the motivation to improve their lot. Unless they can be touched with the spark which ignites the spirit of individual enterprise and determination, they will only sink into apathy, degradation and despair. It is for us, who are more fortunate to provide that spark.”
Mawlana Hazar Imam
Aiglemont, France, January 24, 1967
Mawlana Hazar Imam
- founded East African Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) (1963), and IPS Pakistan (1966), IPS Congo (Zaire) (1966), and Aga Khan Foundation (1967).
- presided over the second conference of the presidents of the world Ismailia Associations (1964), and the third conference in Nairobi (1966).
- presided over the first World Ismaili Socio-Economic Conference in Karachi (1964) and the second conference in Geneva (1967), where he announced the establishment of Aga Khan Foundation.
- approved Constitution of the Councils and Jamats of Shia Imami Ismailis of Africa (1963).
- represented Iran in the IX Olympic Winter Games at Innsbruck, Austria (1964).
- announced the construction of a medical college in Karachi (1964).
- attended independence celebrations as a guest in Kenya (1966).
Inaugurated/opened
- Filtisac, a jute mill in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, the first IPS project (1967).
- IPS building in Nairobi (1967).
Visited
- Abidjan Jamat in Ivory Coast (1965), Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malagasy Republic (Madagascar) (1966).
Addressed
- the first anniversary celebration of Mindanao State University as chief guest (1963).
- the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hyderabad (1964).
For titles and honours bestowed upon Mawlana Hazar Imam, visit AKDN or view the matrix.
Selected World Events – 1963 to 1967
- Prince Sadruddin served as UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees from 1966 to 1977.
- Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, a Russian cosmonaut, was the first woman to fly in space aboard the Soviet Vostok spacecraft (1963).
- At the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, DC, civil rights activist Martin Luther King made his “I have a dream” speech (1963).
- The electronic synthesizer was developed (1964).
- Widespread use of remotely piloted aircraft began (1964).
- Bar codes (computer-scanned binary signal code) were introduced for retail and industrial use (1966).
- The first Star Trek episode, “The Man Trap,” was broadcast (1966).
- Purchases of colour television sets began to accelerate after a slow start in 1954 when the first colour television set was sold.
Sources:
Hikmat, December 1986
25 Years in Pictures
The Ismaili Canada, various issues
Compiled by Nimira Dewji
Ismailimail 