http://www.coastweek.com/3243-32.htm



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 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8321663.stm


For the people of Iran and Turkey during the 16th and 17th centuries, trying to predict the future produced some incredible works of art.
The illustrated texts known as Falnama: The Book of Omens are being displayed together in a new exhibit at the Sackler Gallery in Washington.
The artwork on display has come from: Pierpont Morgan Library and Museum, New York; Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul; Arthur M. Sackler Gallery; Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Geneva; The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin.




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Friday, October 23, 2009
By Our correspondent
CHITRAL: Norwegian ambassador Robert Kvile has reiterated his government’s commitment to ensure the integrity of the Norwegian-funded Rs1 billion Integrated Area Development Project in Chitral.

This he said while addressing a function hosted by the district government. Speaking on behalf of the nazims, PPP-S’s district councillor from Koh, Abdul Wali of raised a number of important issues and sought answers from the Norwegian ambassador.

He said that people wanted to know why the Norwegians had preferred a profit-making organisation instead of a non-profit agency for the management consultancy of the project. He said Chitral had AKDN institutions, IUCN and AKRSP whose record was that they did good projects at economical costs.

Wali also said the most important body of the project was the steering committee, but its constitution was unknown and neither were its deliberation and how it made its decision known to the public.

He said the steering committee of the project must be broad-based and ensure transparency and oversight of the project. Wali also wanted to know the basis for selection of the three valleys for initiation of the project this year.

He said that if poverty was the basis, Yarkhoon and Arandu should have been selected. “In absence of criteria for implementing the project, it should have been spread out equally across the underdeveloped parts of the district,” he argued. The ambassador assured the gathering that he would ensure that the project was both effectively and efficiently implemented and would visit Chitral in March next year to see it himself. He said that if the management firm failed to do this, it would be made answerable for the matter.

 http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=204646



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Kabul is a chaotic capital, but at the heart of the city is a rebuilt garden where noise and guns don’t permeate. Reporter Alex Helmick takes a walk through maybe the most peaceful place in Kabul.

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By By Our Correspondent

LAHORE WITH the political will and support of the Punjab government and the technical assistance by the Aga Khan Cultural Service, the rehabilitation of the Walled City will be completed within the 20 years under the ongoing Walled City Project. This was stated by Masood Khan, the technical director Aga Khan Cultural Service, Pakistan, (AKCSP) during a briefing on the Cultural and Sustainable Development Project being executed in the Walled City at Sahahi Hamam, inside Delhi Gate here on Wednesday. Masood Khan said about 12 per cent work had been completed on the Walled City Project. He said the AKCSP had initiated the project back in 2007 and a considerable amount of work had been done. He said it was a public private partnership project for the preservation, rehabilitation and development of the Walled City. He said the worldís biggest GIS (Geographical Information System) which had 172 attributes to provide all the details about the Walled City, was a result of the detailed surveys conducted about the plots, buildings, streets, roads, historic monuments and places. Masood said one of the parts of the historic Walled City, Shahi Guzar Gah, starting from the Delhi Gate to the Fort, had been rehabilitated partially. He said it was the work of some eight to nine months and the community and the local residents had also been involved in the project. He said the state of the affairs was very dismal in the Walled city, especially due to the poor distribution system of the utility services and the transport system. He said that the General Bus Stand and its surroundings were the biggest devastating factor for the destruction of the grand cultural heritage and its monumental architectural heritage. He said that Mian Shahbaz Sharifís personal initiative and a strong political had made a lot of difference and made the work easy. Earlier, the Director General of the Walled City Project Oriya Maqbool Jan told the representatives of the media that the Shahi Hamam at Delhi Gate was the biggest Spa and Royal Baths in the entire central Asia and it had the biggest dome. He said that the Walled City had been subjected to many atrocities, including fires at the time of independence, especially in the Rang Mehal area, the post-partition scenario even brought the walled city to the brink of extinction with the conversion of a vast area into markets. He said that the General Bus Stand at Badami Bagh was the cancer of Lahore which had eaten up the glory of the Walled City. He said the Walled City project would bring back the lost glory of the Walled City. Its pertinent to note that the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif was also given a similar briefing on the Walled City Project at the Lahore Fort by Masood Khan and Oriya Maqbool Jan.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=204514



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October 22nd, 2009


The Development Credit Bank was established in the year 1930. The main promoter of the bank is the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) which holds over 26% stake in the bank.

AKFED is an international development agency dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. It had co-promoted HDFC in India in the late seventies. AKFED operates as a network of affiliates comprising 90 separate project companies. Employing over 30,000 people, it reported annual revenues in excess of US$1.5 billion. The Fund is active in 16 countries in the developing world.



A new generation private sector bank, DCB has 80 state-of-the-art branches across 10 states and two union territories. The bank also provides access to more than 18000 ATMs across the country. Currently, the bank has around 1800 employees and a balance sheet size of approximately Rs. 6400 crores. The recently launched Initial Public Offering enjoyed a phenomenal success, being oversubscribed 35 times.


Mr. Murali M. Natrajan is the current Managing Director and CEO.


DCB offers DCB Home Loan, DCB Auto Loan and DCB Home Equity Loan among many others. Recently the bank has launched DCB Advantage Credit Card.


http://www.bankbazaar.com/guide/development-credit-bank/



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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Arshila Jiwani, a 13 year-old middle school student, raised over $2,000 to contribute to the funds raised at Atlanta Partnership Run/Walk that will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. On top of her extracurricular activities, Arshila developed ideas to raise money for Aga Khan Foundation USA (AKF USA) and reached out to fellow students like Rozina Mossa, Gohar Llalani and Simren Dhani for help with fundraising.



Arshila first began fundraising for the Partnership Run/Walk and reaching out to the community by passing out flyers at school and texting her friends information about the Foundation. With the help of her school principal, Ted Lombard, Arshila expanded her fundraising and outreach activities to organize candy fundraisers, position informational posters around the school, arrange student and teacher fundraising activities and speak on the school’s morning announcements, urging kids to participate in the Partnership Run/Walk and fundraising activities. Recently, Arshila expanded her fundraising efforts to local businesses including the Panda Express in Peachtree City and Bruster’s Ice Cream. At the Panda Express, Arshila was able to raise over $230 by asking the manager to donate 15% of the profits earned in one evening at the eatery to the Foundation.



100% of funds raised at Partnership Run/Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation. The cost of organizing the Run/Walk is completely underwritten by AKF USA and in-kind contributors. No contributions are used for administrative costs. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction events have attracted over 280,000 participants, raising $32 million.



AKF USA, established in 1981, is a private, non-denominational, non-profit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. AKF USA is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), a network of private, non-denominational, development agencies around the world, established by His Highness the Aga Khan to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, improve living conditions and opportunities.



Last year, over 6,800 youth, families, businesses and community leaders participated in the 2008 Atlanta Partnership Walk, which raised over a million dollars for Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. projects in the developing world. Encourage your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to hit the pavement for the 2009 Partnership Run/Walk and show their support for ending global

poverty.



To register for the Partnership Run/Walk

 please visit http://www.PartnershipsInAction.org/5k


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Rs1b uplift project launched in Chitral

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Our correspondent

CHITRAL: A rupees one billion, Norwegian funded, Chitral Integrated Area Development Programme was launched in the district on Tuesda
Launching the project at a function, Norwegian ambassador Robert Clay said his country had old relation with this remote but beautiful region. “We have a long relationship with you. Expeditions from Norway visited Chitral way back in 1929, 1949, and 1969 in a bid to conquer Terichmir,” the envoy said.
Some of the members of the expedition teams also wrote books about the peculiar culture of this beautiful region, he said. “Chitral Integrated Area Development Programme is our fourth bid to interact with the peaceful people of this area,” he added.
The ambassador hoped that the people of Chitral would take full advantage of the project. “We want the people of Chitral developed economically and have no other ambition,” he added. Commandant of Chitral Scouts, district coordination officer and representatives of civil society organisations were present on the occasion.

It was astonishing that none of the elected representatives including MNA and MPAs were present during the launching ceremony of the vital project. The representatives of the implementing partners AKDN, IUCN and SRSP were also found questioning the modus operandi of the project.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=204396


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Submitted by PartnershipsInAction Georgia
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Over 8,000 are expected to participate in the Atlanta Partnership Walk/Run to demonstrate their support for ending global poverty. Partnership Walk, now in its 15th year, is an event held annually in major cities across the U.S. The Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnership between America and the developing world. Nationwide, over 30,000 are expected to participate in the Walk in nine cities, including Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando and San Francisco.

The Walk/Run will bring together families, friends, students and leaders in government, business, media and the arts for a day of learning activities, fundraising and culturally diverse performances. 100% of funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation. The cost of organizing the Walk/Run is completely underwritten by AKF USA and in-kind contributors. No contributions are used for administrative costs. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction events have attracted over 280,000 participants, raising $32 million.

The 2009 Atlanta Partnership Walk/Run will be held on Sunday, October 25 at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. In addition to the traditional 1K Walk, which starts at 11:30 a.m., Partnership Walk/Run will feature its first ever 5K Run/Walk, 1K Run for children ages 7-13 and 100 Yards Run for children 6 and under, beginning at 8:00 a.m. See the website for schedule details. Participants will walk or run to demonstrate their support for ending global poverty.

The event will feature celebrities and distinguished guests, along with entertainment celebrating the diversity of world cultures. Distinguished guests attending the event include Dikembe Motumbo, Chair and President of Dikembe Motumbo Foundation and NBA All-Star of the Houston Rockets. The lively stage program will be hosted by media celebrities Suchita Vadlamani and Mark Hayes, co-hosts of "Good Day Atlanta."

Among the other dignitaries participating are:

Jerry Oberholtzer, Mayor of Snellville
Melvin Everson, Georgia State Representative
Gwen Desselle, Georgia State Teacher of the Year
The 2009 theme for the Walk, "Education - The Universal Bridge" highlights the impact of Aga Khan Foundation's educational activities. Serving as a bridge to help individuals and communities build more productive, fulfilling and dignified lives, the Foundation's educational activities span across a broad range of initiatives to help people in Asia and Africa reach their full potential, covering early childhood development, primary and secondary school improvement, and skills and management training for professionals, entrepreneurs and community members.

Aga Khan Foundation's education programs bring to light the power of partnerships and reflect the Foundation's enduring commitment to education. For over a quarter century, Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. has worked in the developing world in the areas of health, education, rural development, civil society and the environment. These efforts equip people with life-long skills to overcome poverty and embrace the time-tested principle of helping people to help themselves.

One of the most inspiring features of Partnership Walk is the Village in Action, where participants can enjoy interactive displays and hands-on exhibits that spotlight how the Foundation is implementing creative solutions in poor regions from Afghanistan to Zanzibar with projects that promote quality education and health care, expand microcredit opportunities and improve incomes and agricultural productivity. Volunteers will guide participants through interactive exhibits to introduce the innovative ways that Aga Khan Foundation is alleviating hunger, disease and illiteracy.

AKF USA, established in 1981, is a private, non-denominational, non-profit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. AKF USA is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), a network of private, non-denominational, development agencies around the world, established by His Highness the Aga Khan to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, improve living conditions and opportunities. The overarching goal of the Network's programs is to help poor communities achieve a level of self-reliance whereby they are able to plan their own futures. The Foundation presently supports over 100 programs in 18 countries for the common good of all citizens regardless of their gender, origin or religion. The geographic focus of the Foundation's development programs is in East Africa and South and Central Asia.

Visit www.PartnershipsInAction.org/walk.

http://www.talkgwinnett.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=941&Itemid=1


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October 17, 2009

Aga Khan University is commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 17, 2009 to discuss the advances in prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

Time and Venue
10:00 - 11:30 am
AKU Auditorium, Karachi, Pakistan

Lectures


Speakers

Radiotherapy - Benefits and Side Effects


Dr Farrok Karsan
Consultant, Radiation Oncologist

Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer


Dr Adnan Zaidi
Consultant, Medical Oncologist

Breast Cancer - Prevention and Future


Dr Shaista M Khan
Consultant, Breast Surgeon

A patients' perspective: Going through the experience together patient and her spouse




Patient

Panel Discussion and Q/A session


Dr Nehal Masood
Dr Adnan Zaidi
Dr Shaista M Khan
Dr Nadeem Abbasi
Dr Azmina Vali Mohammad

Mammogram will be performed ‘free of cost' for limited patients according to an established criterion.

For further details, please contact:
Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi
Tel: +92 21 348 2692


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Central Asia Radio

Tajikistan

Senior figures from across the political spectrum gathered for the opening of an Ismaili centre in the Tajik capital this week.
Shahodat Saibnazarova filed a report from the opening ceremony, at which the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the worldwide Ismaili community, and Tajik president Imomali Rahmon both made speeches.

Like other Ismaili centres around the world, the one in Dushanbe is designed to serve the broader community with cultural and educational facilities as well as religious activities for this branch of Shia Islam. The architects used a design reflecting Central Asia’s historic religious buildings.

Most of Tajikistan’s Ismaili minority live in Badakhshan, a high-altitude region in the southeast.

Politicians and other leading figures interviewed in the report hailed the new centre. Communist Party leader Shodi Shabdolov said it showed how Islam can be a modern, open religion.

Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda, a leading Sunni cleric, stressed that “there is no discord among Tajiks even though they follow different strands of Islam. The majority are Sunni of the Hanafi school… there are no disagreements because neither Hanafis nor Ismailis prosyletise
 http://www.iwpr.net/?p=car&apc_state=henh&s=f&o=356566



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- Mohammad Ghouse
India Post News Service

 http://www.indiapost.com/community-post/5954-2500-walk-help-end-global-poverty.html


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Zafar H. Ismail

Prepared by Social Policy and Development Centre In collaboration with Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) and Center for Civil Society, Johns Hopkins University, USA 2002



This is one of a series of Working Papers being produced by the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC) as part of an international research initiative -the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project pearheaded by the Centre for Civil Society Studies, Johns Hopkins University, USA. In Pakistan, this study is being undertaken by SPDC in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan). The objectives of this study are to: document the size, scope, internal structure, finance and legal position of the nonprofit sector in the country; examine the relations between the nonprofit sector and government and identify the ways in

which this relationship can be improved; to improve public awareness of this sector; and provide a more reliable basis for designing policies toward it. The essential rationale for this study is to accelerate the maturation of nonprofit sector by providing comprehensive information and analysis about the dimensions of the sector. The study will also provide the first true baseline of the sector. The Working Papers provide a vehicle for the initial dissemination of the work of the project to a wide range of audience including policy makers, scholars, development practitioners, policy analysts, international donor organizations and country-wide or regional nonprofit organizations. Working Papers are intermediary products, and

they are released in the interest of timely distribution of Project results to stimulate scholarly discussion, and to inform policy debates.



The study has been supported by Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan). The Foundation’s support for this study builds upon AKF’s own programmatic interest in strengthening civil society and building human capacity in Pakistan. The study has been funded through the Pakistan-Canada Social Institutions Development Programme, which is supported generously by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through a grant to the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. under the Pakistan NGO Initiative, has funded the support received from the Johns Hopkins University. We are pleased to be able to make the early results of this project available in this form and welcome comments and inquiries about this paper or the project as a whole.



Dr. Kaiser Bengali

Acting Managing Director




http://www.pakistanlaw.net/pakistan-law/law-and-the-non-profit-sector-in-pakistan/


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Thursday, October 15, 2009

By Schezee Zaidi


Islamabad


Oxford University Press (OUP) launched a book on rural development in South Asia titled ‘A Journey Through Grassroots Development: Agha Khan Rural Support Programme’, written by Shoaib Sultan Khan.



Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen chaired the launching ceremony, held at the National Library here Wednesday. Sartaj Aziz, Vice Chancellor Beaconhouse National University, was the guest of honour, while Ghazi Salahuddin, Editorial Director Geo, and Muhammad Amjad Saqib, Executive Director ‘Akhuwat’, were present as the keynote speakers.



Appreciating the important and productive role of AKRSP in various poverty alleviation projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, Shaukat Tareen said the government is keen to exploit the economic potential of Gilgit-Baltistan for the prosperity of the poor people of the region.



Eulogising the efforts of the author in compiling the valuable book, he said the book would make an important contribution towards recording firsthand experience in rural development. He also stressed the need to redefine and address rural development with utmost urgency to find remedies of the current economic crisis through community development and offer guidelines for changing the lives of millions by mobilising their own potentials.



Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director Oxford University Press, introduced the author and the book by saying, “The book has been distilled from the richness of the author’s experience in a highly readable style, with useful insights of rural development in South Asian environment.”



The speakers, Ghazi Salahuddin and Amjad Saqib, welcomed the book as a valuable addition to the knowledge base of people centred development and evidence-based advocacy for policy change, conducive to sustainable development.



The book relates to the story of participatory development experience in the rural areas of South Asia. The lessons learned in rural development, based on the author’s work over the last 50 years in various areas of South Asia, are narrated in the context of ‘working within the system and living within the means’. The author also describes the basic principles of rural development through engaging and interacting with the rural community to shape their lives. Operational details of such interactions between communities and professionals are also combined by the author as an inspirational content on the efforts of these people to ignite hope. The book also provides personal insight into AKRSP.



The author, Shoaib Sultan, has served the government of Pakistan as CSP Officer for 25 years and is the recipient of ‘Hilal-e-Imtiaz’, ‘Magsaysay Award’ from the president of Philippines, and World Conservation Medal from WWF International for selfless dedication to his work. He has also worked with Unicef, UNDP, RSPN, NRSP, SRSOGBTI, AKRSP, SRSP, PRSP, and BRSP.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=203234


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On Oct. 8, Okech was one of 40 people who took the Canadian citizenship oath at the Ismaili Centre on Canada Way in Burnaby.

Okech, originally from Kenya, lives in New Westminster, and it was a great coincidence that the ceremony was the same day as her birthday.

I can't ever forget this day," said Okech, who is studying to become a social worker. "This day already means so much to me, but for it to also be the day I officially became a Canadian, it is a great day for me."



While citizenship ceremonies take place on a weekly basis in city halls all over the country, the Vancouver Citizenship Committee and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, which organized the event, have taken the ceremony into the community, at places such as the Ismaili Centre.



"It is such an honour to have this ceremony in such a peaceful community place," said citizenship judge Anne-Marie Kains. "We have to thank the Ismaili community for sharing this with us."



As citizenship officer Andrea Ebbels prepared the 40 new Canadians for their oath, she noted that the 40 people come from 22 different countries, proof that Canada's multicultural mosaic is alive and well.



For Okech, whose husband and three children are already Canadian citizens, her new citizenship is a bit overwhelming.



"I don't think it will really hit me until later," she said. "I know that this means that once I finish school, it will be easier for me to find a job in my field, and I know that being a Canadian means I have more responsibility, but it's all so new right now."



As excited as Okech was, perhaps the happiest people at the Ismaili Centre were the Korolev family. Father Alexander, mother Anzhilika and son Petr all took their citizenship oaths together.



"We've been living in the North Burnaby area for the past four years after moving from Moscow," said Alexander. "We chose Canada because it was our number 1 choice. ... We could have chosen France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain or almost anywhere in Europe, but we knew Canada was a safe and nice place, and that's where we wanted to be."



Alexander, an engineer, and Anzhilika, who works in a travel agency, wanted a better future for their 14-year-old son, Petr, who is currently in Grade 9 at Burnaby North after finishing his elementary school years at Brentwood Park.



"It's a bit of a mix of emotions for me," said Petr. "I do miss my friends back home, but I am excited for the future now that I'm a Canadian."



For Alexander, the day will always have meaning.



"This day represents the boundary between the past and the future," he said. "From this day on, we will see ourselves as Canadians in all aspects, without limitations and without any doubt that this was the right decision. ... From this boundary, we can build a new life and starting from now, our future is so bright."



For Anzhilika, being Canadian will make her job easier.



"When you work in the travel business and you don't have a passport, it is more difficult," she said. "Now that I have my passport, it will help me in my job."



http://www2.canada.com/burnabynow/news/story.html?id=2bcff765-b165-40c4-8e31-16a91d406981

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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT



We are seeking applications from Energetic and Enthusiastic individuals to fill the following positions:



SENIOR SCHOOL - PHYSICS TEACHER ABLE TO TEACH ‘O’ AND A’ LEVEL.



DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS MUST INCLUDE :



1.A Masters’ Degree.

2.Excellent English Language Skills.

3.At least three years previous teaching experience.

4.Willingness to participate in extra curricular activities.

Our employment package includes the following:



•Attractive and competitive salaries.

•A benefit package that includes Life, Hospitalization Insurance and Provident Fund.

•Free teacher training and professional development programmes.

•Opportunities for teachers to study abroad on school funded scholarships.

•A tuition waiver for one child for each teacher.

•A school culture that supports initiative and merit.

•An open, friendly and interactive school environment.

•A leadership team that encourages and supports staff development and competence.

•Opportunities to be involved in the International Baccalaureate Curriculum as we move to the implementation of this programme in our Senior school.

Kindly forward your CV along with a complete set of supporting documents by Monday, October 26, 2009 to the following address. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.



FAWZIA CHOWDHURY

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

aksdhaka@dhaka.net The Aga Khan School, Dhaka

Road # 6/A, Sector # 4

Uttara Model Town, Dhaka.

http://home.bdjobs-server.com/hotjobs/agakhan/agakhan5.htm


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Gallery: Construction of the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/885/Gallery-Construction-of-the-Ismaili-Centre-Dushanbe


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'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

ISLAMABAD: Prince Karim Aga Khan, founder of the Aga Khan Development Network and spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, arrived here Tuesday.
He was received by the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira.

The Aga Khan is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss matters of mutual interest including economic and social development of the country.

http://www.pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=5077







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Posted by gecanews on October 13, 2009

http://gecanews.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/aga-khan-discusses-pakistan%E2%80%99s-economic-social-uplift-with-zardari/




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His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) arrives in Kyrgyzstan today from Tajikistan.

The Aga Khan's visit to the Kyrgyz Republic will focus on new initiatives in financial services, poverty alleviation, education and culture.

While in Kyrgyzstan the highest guest is expected to meet with President Kurmanbek Bakiev, Prime Minister Igor Chudinov, Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbaev and Finance Minister Marat Sultanov to discuss the impact of the global recession on local economies as well as issues of regional stability, in particular, Afghanistan.

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12.10.2009 10:41

Author: Avaz Yuldoshev

DUSHANBE, October 12, 2009, Asia-Plus -- Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev is meeting with His Highness the Aga Khan, the Spiritual Leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), here today morning.

According to press service of the Dushanbe mayor’s office, the sides will discuss cooperation between the Dushanbe mayor’s office and AKDN, including the Dushanbe Serena Hotel project issues.

Mayor Ubaidulloyev and his Highness the Aga Khan are also expected to discuss a number of other projects that are planned to be implemented in the Tajik capital under financial support of the AKDN.

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon laid the foundation stone of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan on October 30, 2006.

The Dushanbe Serena Hotel, a US$25million project whose 120 units will range from luxury rooms to long-stay apartments, will incorporate conference and shopping facilities, restaurants and a roof-top recreation centre and swimming pool. The hotel, to be managed by Tourism Promotion Services (a subsidiary of Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) is being developed following a design from the award-winning architectural firm, ARCOP, a Montreal-based firm.

When completed, the Dushanbe Serena Hotel will join several Serena properties across the region to help strengthen tourism development in areas rich in cultural sites, physical attractions and economic opportunity. These include Serena units in Kabul, Afghanistan, and at Islamabad, Quetta, Faisalabad, Gilgit and Swat in Pakistan.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/16/57871.html




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Nobel Prize for Peace has lost all credibilityMJ AkbarThe only serious danger in Barack Obama’s Nobel Prize for Peace is that he might take it seriously. The early indications are that he will. Mr Obama might have saved himself a great deal of trouble by saying thanks, but no thanks. But he could not resist an award whose credibility collapsed the moment he got it.After the obligatory reference to humility, he added, a little more grandly, “I will accept this award as a call to action.” At least he admitted that there had been no action so far. What on earth did the fatuous Nobel Committee see when they surveyed the map of the world in the last six months? Did they find that Mr Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Obama had created an independent Palestine while Hamas was engrossed in playing Patience and Hizbullah had gone for a conference in Tehran? Or that India and Pakistan had signed a treaty solving Kashmir while benign Barack hovered gently in the background, always within camera range?The only substantive decision that Mr Obama has taken in terms of war and peace is to ramp up the war in Afghanistan far above Mr George W Bush’s scale of intervention. He is on the point of sending upwards of 50,000 more American troops so that Viceroy-Lord Dick Holbrooke, and his bevy of Pentagon Generals, can fight for another decade on the killing rocks of a battlefield that saw serious action during Alexander the Great’s time and has not paused since. If outsiders do not turn up, Afghans simply go to war against one another. Alfred Nobel thought that his Peace Prize should go to leaders who disband standing armies. Mr Obama may be perfectly justified in upgrading the still largely somnolent American presence in Afghanistan into a full-scale fighting force, but the chaps in Oslo might have waited till the shooting stopped. They waited for Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa to grow old. Why couldn’t they have waited for Mr Obama to become middle-aged?Their official excuse is that Mr Obama symbolises hope. That’s nice. It broadens the scope for future winners. All you have to do is hope, and possibly pray, that the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba have reinvented themselves into vegetarian Gandhians and your post box might have a nice letter from Oslo in October 2010.The big ticket hope is non-proliferation. If you think about it coolly — very coolly — one chap who has done far more than Mr Obama for non-proliferation in the recent past is Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. He actually dismantled a nuclear weapons facility. He may have done so under pressure, but he has done something. Mr Obama has given a few pretty speeches and knocked on the table at the United Nations. Mr Obama has made no effort to rein in the most powerful nuclear weapons power in history, a nation that refused to accept any international control or convention and continues to develop the most sophisticated nuclear weapons technology. That country is, of course, the United States of America. I suppose Oslo did not think of a Peace Prize for Col Gaddafi for fear of ridicule. Col Gaddafi does not belong, as it were, to the right sort of country, plus his acceptance speech might have taken a full day. But does anyone have any idea when the ridicule for the Obama decision will begin to ebb?Mr Obama is too sharp not to understand this, and it will further whet the temptation to lend some substance to the hype. He is not going to withdraw from Afghanistan because of this medal; and climate change is Mr Al Gore’s parish. So his big push is likely to be on nonproliferation. He dare not do anything about America’s nuclear muscle; and he has assured Tel Aviv that he will continue the policy of ignoring Israel’s secret cache. There is little he can do about the Big Five, and North Korea is Ms Hillary Clinton’s show. Pakistan is too much of a military pal at a time of dire need, and Pakistan has a good excuse as well, India. So his options boil down to just this: Abort Iran’s programme and bully India into as much compliance as possible. If warrior Bush was dangerous for the region between the Nile and the Indus, peacenik Obama could be troublesome for the land of the Ganges.Is it possible that the Oslo peace mafia had run out of people to hand this prize to? Not every recipient is going to get a chapter in the history books, even though they might be worthy enough. It is not easy to recall the name of the winner in 2008. But the range of the prize has been expanded from reformed warriors to humanitarians. We all know of course that Mahatma Gandhi was never found worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, but then they would have probably considered Jesus Christ too good to be true as well. (Jesus was a non-violent opponent of European colonisation as well, in his case, Roman.) But we have not completely run out of worthy individuals or institutions. The doctors who do selfless work in conditions of utmost misery, like Darfur or other conflict zones in Africa, deserve both the applause and the money. The Aga Khan might not need the money, but there should be some recognition of the extraordinary restoration work his foundation has done to preserve the great monuments of human civilisation — that too is a commitment to peace.But there is one good, even great, reason for giving Mr Barack Obama the 2009 prize, although it was omitted from the citation. Mr Barack Obama threw out Bush Republicans, the biggest band of warmongers in recent American history, from power in Washington. This must surely count as a signal contribution to world peace. -- MJ Akbar is Chairman and Director of Publications of the fortnightly newsmagazine Covert. www.covertmagazine.com


ismailinews@gmail.com

10.10.2009 08:20
Author: Avaz Yuldoshev
DUSHANBE, October 10, 2009, Asia-Plus -- His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, arrived in Tajikistan Friday evening for a three-day visit.
Davlat Nazriyev, the head of the MFA information department, told Asia-Plus that today, His Highness the Aga Khan would visit Khorog. On October 11, the Aga Khan will take part at a ceremony of inauguration of The Ismaili Center in Dushanbe.
His Highness the Aga Khan is also scheduled to hold talks with President Emomali Rahmon and a number of other high-ranking Tajik state officials to discuss cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The visit of His Highness the Aga Khan to Tajikistan will conclude on October 12
We will recall that the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the Ismaili Center in Dushanbe was held on August 30, 2003. The foundation stone of The Ismaili Center, Dushanbe was laid by President Emomali Rahmon.
Calling it "a place where people will come together to share their creativity and their wisdom," the Aga Khan said the Center would "recognize and promote the plurality of traditions and forms of expression to which Central Asia has been a welcoming home and eminent crossroads over the centuries." The Aga Khan expressed the hope that the Center would "play a role in reminding the world of a fact, alas, too often ignored or misunderstood: that Central Asian traditions of spirituality and learning have had a lasting and positive impact on civilizations far beyond their own." The Center, the Aga Khan said, would be "a place for contemplation, upliftment and the search for spiritual enlightenment."

http://www.asiaplus.tj/en/news/198/57846.html

ismailinews@gmail.com

9 October 2009, 18:12
CA-NEWS (TJ) - Prince Aga Khan IV has started his four-day visit to Tajikistan on Friday, the Tajik Foreign Ministry said. Prince Aga Khan IV is expected to meet Tajik Foreign Minister Zarifi, and other government officials. He will visit Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, where he will meet with local government officials. He will also attend the official opening ceremony of the Aga Khan Foundation Cultural Center in Dushanbe. http://en.ca-news.org/news/101901

October 11, 2009 (CHICAGO) -- The 2009 Chicago Partnership Walk to be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at Montrose Harbor.

The Partnership Walk is an initiative of AKF USA and its' network of volunteers in communities across America. It is a unique event that is primarily focused on raising public awareness about alleviating global illiteracy and taking action to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities in Africa and Asia.

Click Here for more on the Chicago Walk

AKF USA supports programs in health and education and promotes self-help programs with local communities and grassroots organizations so they may develop their own long-term solutions.

The Ismaili Centre, London

Photographs

• Architecture gallery
• Opening Ceremony gallery
• Foundation Ceremony gallery

Press releases and speeches

• Press release announcing the opening of the Ismaili Centre, London
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam during the Opening Ceremony
• Speech made by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during the Opening Ceremony
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam during the Foundation Ceremony
• Speech made by Lord Soames during the Foundation Ceremony

The Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Photographs

• Architecture gallery
• Opening Ceremony gallery
• Foundation Ceremony gallery

Press releases and speeches

• Press release announcing the opening of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam during the Opening Ceremony
• Speech made by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney during the Opening Ceremony
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam during the Foundation Ceremony
• Speech made by the Honourable Henry Bell-Irving, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia during the Foundation Ceremony

The Ismaili Centre, Lisbon

Photographs

• Architecture gallery
• Opening Ceremony gallery
• Foundation Ceremony gallery

Press releases and speeches

• Press release announcing the opening of the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam during the Opening Ceremony
• Speech made by President Jorge Sampaio during the Opening Ceremony
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam during the Foundation Ceremony

The Ismaili Centre, Dubai

Videos

• Opening Ceremony of The Ismaili Centre, Dubai
• The Ismaili Centre, Dubai
• AKDN: Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai

Photographs

• Architecture gallery
• Opening Ceremony gallery
• Foundation Ceremony gallery
• Golden Jubilee: Opening Ceremony gallery
• Golden Jubilee: The Ismaili Centre, Dubai gallery
• Golden Jubilee: Dubai Park gallery
• AKDN: Foundation Ceremony photographs

Fact sheets

• The Ismaili Centre, Dubai fact sheet (العربيّة)
• Dubai Park overview (العربيّة)

Press releases and speeches

• Press release announcing the opening of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai
  (العربيّة)
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam during the Opening Ceremony
  (العربيّة)
• AKDN: Foundation Ceremony press release (العربيّة)
• Speech made by Mawlana Hazar Imam’s during the Foundation Ceremony

September 2009

Today, TheIsmaili.org is pleased to launch a new section of the website dedicated to the Ismaili Centres around the world. The section includes a selection of speeches, photographs, video clips, press releases, as well as architectural and historical information for each Centre. It also links to existing stories on the website that highlight the various ways in which these buildings are utilised.

The Ismaili Centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in the regions in which they are established. Architecturally unique, each building is a safeguard and a symbol of the core values that the Jamat holds dear.

Presently, there are four Ismaili Centres in London, Burnaby, Lisbon and Dubai. The opening of a new Centre in Dushanbe is imminent, and two others, in various stages of development, are currently being established in Toronto and Houston.

The Centres serve as ambassadorial hubs, representing the community’s attitude towards the Muslim faith and modern life, while extending a hand of friendship and understanding to enhance relationships among faith communities, government and civil society. They are, therefore, not only places for spiritual search, but also spaces for broadening intellectual horizons and fostering an appreciation of pluralism.

Enhanced website navigation

Together with the launch of the Ismaili Centres section, a new navigation feature has also been added to the website. At the top of each web page, to the left of the search box, is our new GO menu.

The GO menu provides a quick an easy way to navigate to any of the featured sections of TheIsmaili.org, including the Golden Jubilee Archive, the Nutrition Centre and the new Ismaili Centres section. Give it a try — we hope that it makes exploring TheIsmaili.org a little bit easier!

Posted on 06/10/2009

The South Asian earthquake of October 2005 devastated large parts of Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control (LOC) as well as significant parts of the North West Frontier province in Pakistan. The death toll in Pakistan was around 73,000 (almost 30,000 children) with another 70,000 severely injured or disabled and 4 million made homeless. On the Indian side, damage was confined to two districts with 1,300 deaths, 7,500 injured and over 37,000 buildings damaged. Within days of this catastrophe, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) responded through its affiliate FOCUS, to provide relief assistance to the affected communities. On the Pakistan side, AKDN’s fleet of helicopters flew over 1,500 sorties, providing food, blankets, tents and tarpaulin, and evacuated nearly 2,000 injured from the affected areas. On the Indian side FOCUS provided winterized tents and warm clothing to nearly 400 families in 14 villages. On both sides of the LOC, nearly 200,000 people were assisted.

For more information, please see:

"Multidimensional post-earthquake reconstruction: the Chakama Valley in Pakistan administered Kashmir and the Uri Block in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir", portions of which appeared in the publications REAL RISK (2006) and RISK WISE (2008)

Risk-conscious Reconstruction in Pakistan-administered Kashmir: A Case Study of the Chakhama Valley