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2007.12.05
Ismaili Muslim Center Work Starts in Glenview
After overcoming a push to keep them out, Chicago's Ismaili Muslim community took the first formal step Friday toward moving into north suburban Glenview with a festive ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of a 26,000-square-foot community center to be built on 9.5 acres of manicured greenery at Shermer and Golf Roads.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Glenview President Kerry Cummings laid mortar and pressed bricks into a facade at the conclusion of the ceremony, in a gesture of support for the center. Work began Nov. 1 and is scheduled to continue for 12 to 14 months.
"We can recall spirited discussions," said Mahmood Eboo, president of the Ismaili Council for the United States of America, referring to controversy over the center. "We are grateful to the village staff for long and deliberate discussions on this issue."
The center, called the Ismaili Jamatkhana, will include a prayer hall that faces east, toward Mecca, as well as offices, classrooms and halls for social gatherings. It will become the epicenter of the 5,000-strong Ismaili Muslim community, which now meets at two smaller centers in the Chicago area, community members said. Glenview was selected as the site for the center because many Ismailis have settled in the north suburbs since arriving from Pakistan, India and east Africa.
The Glenview Village Board unanimously approved the center in 2006, but that vote came after much wrangling from neighbors who gathered about 1,000 signatures on a petition asking the board to deny permits to the group on grounds that the center would cause too much traffic.
At the time, some residents said the real concern stemmed from fear of Islam. On Friday, some Ismailis suggested residents simply needed time to learn about their Islam, whose members emphasize charity and civic duty.
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09:04 Posted in Africa , Aga Khan Development Network , Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Arab World , Bangladesh , BBC Documentary , Canada , Central Asia , Community , Culture , Democracy , East and South-East Asia , Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union , Economy , Environment , Europe , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Germany , Hillary Clinton , http://ismaili.us , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Ismaili Muslim Centre , Ismaili Muslims , Latin America , Madagascar , Maghreb , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , Mozambique , North America , Rwanda , South Asia , Sport , Sub-Saharan Africa , United Nations , United States , USAID , Western Europe , White House , White House Project | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Hillary Clinton, President Clinton, Ismaili.us, Archnet, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Muslim Civilization
Guidelines for Relations Between U.S. Armed Forces and Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organizations
On July 23, 2007, leaders of the U.S. military and NGO community celebrated a promising moment for civil-military relations in peace operations: the rollout of guidelines that will serve as "rules of the road" for how the two entities should operate in hostile environments.
Facilitated by the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Guidelines seek to mitigate frictions between military and NGO personnel over the preservation of humanitarian space in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Principles in the Guidelines include ensuring that military personnel wear uniforms when conducting relief activities to avoid being mistaken for nongovernmental humanitarian organization representatives. Conversely, it recommends that, to the extent practical, humanitarian relief personnel avoid traveling in U.S. Armed Forces vehicles, with the exception of liaison personnel.
The heads of both the U.S. military and InterAction (an umbrella organization for U.S. NGOs) have endorsed the Guidelines and will be disseminating them throughout their organizations. Two years in the making, the effort represents "a desire from both sides to move beyond polemics to proactive problem solving," said Jeb Nadaner, deputy assistant secretary of defense for stability operations at the Pentagon.
NGO leaders likewise expressed optimism at the potential for change. "We do not want to understate the importance of this document for us," said Sam Worthington, InterAction president and CEO. "We believe that these Guidelines will serve a purpose beyond U.S. NGOs to our global partners."
The initiative was launched in March 2005 when Ambassador Carlos Pascual, coordinator for reconstruction and stabilization at the U.S. State Department, asked the Institute to establish a Working Group on Civil-Military Relations in Nonpermissive Environments. What began as a dialogue between military and NGO leaders has resulted in a pioneering effort upon which both sides hope to expand. Military and NGO leaders intend to promulgate the Guidelines throughout their communities via media and education channels: NGOs will publish the Guidelines in their newsletters and literature; the military will incorporate the Guidelines into joint military doctrine publications. The next challenge lies in implementing the Guidelines in the field and creating a monitoring process by which the Guidelines can be continuously updated and revised.
Guidelines Handout
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07:05 Posted in Community , Culture , Democracy , East and South-East Asia , Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union , Economy , Environment , Europe , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Germany , Hillary Clinton , http://ismaili.us , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Ismaili Muslims , Latin America , Maghreb , Media , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , Politics , Rwanda , South Asia , United Nations , United States , USAID , Western Europe , White House | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: President Clinton, Arab World, Hillary Clinton, White House, Golden Jubilee, World Peace, Pakistan
2007.12.04
BBC Series on Aga Khan Award for Architecture Voted Favourite for Best Documentary of the Year
Building for Islam, the BBC World series on the 2007 Aga Khan Award recipients, was nominated as one of the top BBC documentaries of 2007. Your chance to choose !
For more information click here
Video
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08:04 Posted in Africa , Aga Khan Award for Architecture , Aga Khan Development Network , Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Arab World , Bangladesh , BBC Documentary , Canada , Central Asia , Community , Culture , Democracy , East and South-East Asia , Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union , Economy , Environment , Europe , Excellency Soomro , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Germany , Hillary Clinton , http://ismaili.us , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Ismaili Muslims , Latin America , Madagascar , Maghreb , Media , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , Mozambique , North America , Rwanda , South Asia , Sport , Sub-Saharan Africa , United Nations , United States , USAID , Western Europe , White House | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Arcnet, Ismaili.US, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Muslim Civilization, Geneva Peace
Sifat Gul of Chitral Wins Best Micro Entrepreneur Award
The First MicroFinance Bank’s client, Ms. Sifat Gul from Gharam Chashma, Chitral won the “Best National Micro-Entrepreneur Award Female” at the recently organised Citi-PPAF Micro-entrepreneurship Awards 2007 ceremony in Islamabad. Dr. Ishrat Hussain, former Governor State Bank of Pakistan was the Chief Guest for the occasion where Sifat Gul was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 115,000. The objective of the Citi-PPAF Micro-entrepreneurship Awards Programme 2007 is to illustrate and promote the effective role that micro-finance plays in poverty alleviation. It recognises the extraordinary contributions that individual micro-entrepreneurs have made to the economic sustainability of their families as well as their communities.
The award winner Sifat Gul, faced with economic problems, began her journey a couple of years ago by approaching The First MicroFinanceBank Ltd (FMFB) for a loan to purchase a sewing machine and become a tailor. However, she was soon able to diversify her small home-run business into a full training institute to harness the sewing and embroidery skills of the young women in her community. Today, she plans to construct a separate building for her training institute and has partnered with other organisations that purchase her products and exhibit them in city centres.
Her association with the Bank not only helped her in increasing her own household income and savings and but also empowered her to play a positive role in mobilizing her community to bring about a social change in their surroundings. Today, not only does she have the basic amenities of life including good quality access to education, housing and health facilities for her entire household but also trains and empowers many young women to earn their livelihoods. Coming from the remote, mountainous area of Chitral, hers is a story of true woman empowerment as she stepped up to earn a livelihood and was later elected as a female councillor revolutionizing the surroundings by playing a pivotal role in mobilising common interest projects such as Community Based Schools, village pipeline repair and road repair projects. Initially faced by strong resistance and opposition from her family to start a business, Sifat Gul with the support of The First MicroFinanceBank and her sheer commitment, confidence and hard work succeeded in bringing a positive change in her household and continues to be a social change agent.
The First MicroFinanceBank, a part of the Aga Khan Development Network, has played an instrumental role in reaching out to the poor segments of society by enabling individuals to strengthen their entrepreneurial base and build capital for a sound and secure future. The Bank strives to alleviate poverty through sustainable economic development by offering credit, savings and life insurance services and an efficient and low cost funds transfer service to its target populations. With over 70 fully automated branches all over Pakistan, FMFB has disbursed 170,000 loans and has achieved 64% rural outreach in a short span of six years.
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06:12 Posted in Africa , Aga Khan Development Network , Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Arab World , Bangladesh , Canada , Central Asia , Community , Culture , Democracy , East and South-East Asia , Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union , Economy , Environment , Europe , Excellency Soomro , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Germany , Hillary Clinton , http://ismaili.us , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Ismaili Muslims , Latin America , Madagascar , Maghreb , Media , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , Mozambique , North America , Rwanda , South Asia , Sport , Sub-Saharan Africa , United Nations , United States , USAID , Western Europe | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, Sifat Gul, AKMA, Ismaili.US, Education, General Kayani, President Musharraf
2007.12.03
White House Conference on Culture and Diplomacy 2000
The Presidential Panel held in the East Room of the White House was hosted by President Clinton and chaired by Secretary of State Albright. The panelists were:
Rita Dove, former Poet Laureate of the United States; Yo-Yo Ma, cellist; Her Excellency Giovanna Melandri, Italian Minister for Cultural Heritage and Activities, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, President Bill Clinton, His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims; Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize-winning novelist from Nigeria; and Joan Spero, President of the Doris Duke Foundation.
Remarks Prepared by His Highness The Aga Khan For The White House Conference on Culture and Diplomacy
Washington D.C., 28 November 2000
Thank you Mr. President. It is an honour to be associated with this distinguished panel in a discussion of a topic which I have long felt has received too little attention, particularly at the policy level. Thank you for the invitation.
I offer my comments this morning from the perspective of someone who has been a long-standing observer of cultural evolution in the developing world of Africa and Asia, and from more than twenty-years of experience with activities such as the Aga Khan Award for Architecture that have attempted to make a positive contribution to that process.
At present there is a great deal of apprehension about the future of local and national cultures in most countries in the developing world. What can the cultural diplomacy of the United States do to address these anxieties and replace them with a sense of confidence through new and shared initiatives?
If the cultures and value systems of the developing world are being challenged -- or are believed to be under threat - I think it valuable to try to identify the nature of the challenges. For the sake of discussion, I would put the major issues under the headings of language, institutions, people, communications, and funding.
First, there is the issue of language. During the process of de-colonisation in Asia and Africa, the driving objective of the governments of the newly independent countries was to create nation states. A national language was seen as an important part of this process. Forty years later, the world's dominant foreign language, English, is viewed as a necessity in most areas -- but not yet as an opportunity. For cultures in the developing world to be globally accessible, understood, respected and admired, and to be represented in electronic communications, they must ensure that their cultures find expression not only in the national language, but also in English.
The second issue is institutions. In most parts of the developing world institutions and places of particular importance to cultural inspiration and expression are all too often abandoned or neglected by both governments and civil society. Museums, conservatories, and buildings and public spaces in historic cities are generally in a precarious state. This is also true of higher education, particularly in the arts and the humanities. In their present state these institutions cannot contribute to the survival and reinvigoration of inherited value systems, and may actually contribute to their further degradation.
The third issue is people. Culture is by its nature rooted in people. Unfortunately, in the countries of Asia and Africa which I know, cultural expression as a life-long vocation nearly always leads to a dead-end. Artists in the industrialised world at least have the possibility of mobilising the resources necessary to live with dignity. The economic environment for cultural professionals in the industrialised world does not exist in the developing world. Indeed it is being weakened further by the collapse of traditional value systems and the cultural production they supported.
The fourth issue is communications. Cultures that do not or cannot communicate become increasingly isolated, inward-looking, and, in due course, marginalised. Some would argue the United States' dominance of global communications systems is, because of what has been called the digital divide, a contributor to this problem. I would offer a different perspective. It seems to me that by a purposeful effort, the United States could play a significant role not only in making the cultures of Asia and Africa available globally. Doing so would also make a massive contribution to the full acceptance to the legitimacy and value of social and cultural pluralism, something that is urgently needed in most parts of the developing world.
The last issue is funding. The reality in the countries of Asia and Africa is that the material resources required to sustain cultural activities are either not available because of higher priorities, or because there are no incentives to support culture. But with their economies becoming increasingly liberalised, an increasing percentage of national wealth being will be created by private initiative. It is my dream that private individuals and organisations will come to the support of culture, as has been the case for centuries in the industrialised world. For this to happen, many new methods of giving will need to be stimulated and developed through appropriate public policies.
In response to the challenges facing countries in Africa and Asia that I have outlined, the United States, with a wealth of educational, private philanthropic institutions and global corporations that is unparalleled in human history, can play a leadership role. Specifics can be discussed later this morning or in this afternoon's sessions. Much very important work devoted to the issues of language, institutions, people, communications and funding is already underway, but there is scope, and I would say a need, for a massive expansion.
It is my hope that this meeting will lead to a re-conceptualisation of the role in culture in public life and international policy and move more public and private institutions to initiate or expand their activities devoted to the support of culture. I can assure you that you will find interested and reliable partners in the parts of the world with which I am familiar to join you in this process.
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08:53 Posted in Africa , Aga Khan Development Network , Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Arab World , Bangladesh , Canada , Central Asia , Community , Culture , Democracy , East and South-East Asia , Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union , Economy , Environment , Europe , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Germany , Hillary Clinton , http://ismaili.us , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Ismaili Muslims , Latin America , Madagascar , Maghreb , Media , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , Mozambique , North America , President Clinton , South Asia , Sub-Saharan Africa , United Nations , United States , USAID , Western Europe , White House , White House Project | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Hillary Clinton, President Clinton, Ismaili.us, Archnet, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Muslim Civilization
2007.12.01
Apollo International Magazine Declares The Aga Khan Our Personality of The Year
Apollo The International Magazine for Collections has declared The Aga Khan Our Personality of The Year.
Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, is the 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan.
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10:40 Posted in Aga Khan Development Network , Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Arab World , Bangladesh , Canada , Central Asia , Community , Culture , Democracy , East and South-East Asia , Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union , Economy , Environment , Europe , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Germany , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Ismaili Muslims , Latin America , Madagascar , Maghreb , Media , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , Mozambique , North America , Rwanda , South Asia , Sport , Sub-Saharan Africa , United Nations , United States , USAID , Western Europe , White House Project | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Arcnet, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Muslim Civilization, Geneva Peace