A leader of excellence: The Golden Jubilee of Aga Khan's leadership
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Farid Hossain
THE 11th day of this July marks the 50th anniversary of the Aga Khan's becoming the Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. Ismailies all over the world, including those in Bangladesh, are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Aga Khan's leadership that has shaped not only their own community but also the world, especially the developing nations. The Aga Khan was just 20 years old when he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, on July 11, 1957. He is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.
Son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan, the Aga Khan was born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva. Having spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, he then attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland for nine years before graduating from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history. Like his grandfather before him, the Aga Khan has dedicated his leadership to the well-being of all Muslims, helping them overcome the challenges of tumultuous historical changes.
Today, the Ismailies live in some 25 countries, mainly in West and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in North America and Western Europe. Over the four decades since the present Aga Khan became Imam, the world has witnessed major political and economic changes in most of these areas. What is admirable about him is that he has adapted the complex system of administering the Ismaili Community, pioneered by his grandfather during the colonial era, to a new world of nation-states. The changes that have swept through these countries have had tremendous influence on the Aga Khan and his thoughts.
As he said in 2006 in a speech to the graduates of the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University "While I was educated in the West, my perspective over these fifty years has been profoundly shaped by the countries of South and Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, where the Ismaili people live and where they are largely concentrated. For five decades, that has been my world-my virtually permanent preoccupation."
He also spoke about the hopes and frustration of the people living through these changes. As he put it: "For the developing world, the past half-century has been a time of recurring hope and frequent disappointment. Great waves of change have washed over the landscape -- from the crumbling of colonial hegemonies in mid century to the recent collapse of communist empires. But too often, what rushed in to replace the old order were empty hopes -- not only the false allure of state socialism, non-alignment, and single-party rule, but also the false glories of romantic nationalism and narrow tribalism, and the false dawn of runaway individualism.
Ismailies, regarded as peace-loving people, have a strong presence in Bangladesh making important contributions to the country's economic development as well as promoting services especially in education and health. The community is strongly involved in garments, engineering, food and chemicals industries. However, to most people in Bangladesh the Islamilies are known more for their active involvement in philanthropic and social causes than their business. Consider the help the Aga Khan Foundation has been providing to Brac, the world's largest NGO, in promoting non-formal education in Bangladesh. In the past 12 years the foundation has donated about US$75 million to support the non-formal schooling and poverty alleviation programme run by Brac. Education is one of the critical areas of human development that is most valued by His Highness the Aga Khan. He believes that the world should be prepared to manage changes -- whether positive or negative. To quote him: "There is no greater form of preparation for change than investments in education." The investments, he said, must focus on excellence in education and teachers of the highest quality-teachers who are creative and committed to their own life-long learning and self-improvement. According to him it also means investments in facilities that provide an environment conducive to building self-esteem, leadership, tolerance, ethical judgement and moral reasoning.
The Aga Khan School in Uttara Model Town provides an excellent example. Established in 1988 with 14 students and 7 teachers it has now grown into one of the leading English Medium schools in Bangladesh. Currently the school has approximately 1200 students and more than 100 highly qualified teachers. Starting at Playgroup the school runs classes up to A'Level, following the British curriculum's requirements, leading to GCSE O and A'Level examinations. The school is in the process of moving to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum. It is known for its outstanding results. Every year, the O'Level and A'Level examinees of Aga Khan School, bring out the best results from all over Bangladesh, especially in subjects like Pure Mathematics and Physics. The good news just does not end here. A new educational institute, the Aga Khan Academy, will be established in Bashundhara, Dhaka to offer quality education to young learners. Planned on 20 plus acres of land the academy will have classes from playgroup to 12th standard for about 1,000 students. In the mid-eighties the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) supported ICDDRB in a number of activities, including in field testing the efficacy of the rice-based ORT, which provides easily-available non-expensive treatment of diarrhoea patients.
During a recent meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed a delegation from Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Bangladesh explained how the community has been making contributions in the country's socio-economic development. The delegation, led by Council President Habib Hirji, said the Aga Khan Development Network has been set up in Bangladesh to help boost social development and reduce poverty. The Aga Khan Foundation is now working to develop the country's education sector, besides co-operating NGOs in their capacity building.
The Chief Adviser warmly greeted the delegation. He praised the Ismaili community and the Aga Khan Foundation for their valuable contribution in the social development of Bangladesh. The Aga Khan is expected to visit Bangladesh sometime during the Golden Jubilee celebrations that will take place from July 2007 to July 1008. Bangladesh eagerly looks forward to welcoming Him.
THE 11th day of this July marks the 50th anniversary of the Aga Khan's becoming the Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. Ismailies all over the world, including those in Bangladesh, are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Aga Khan's leadership that has shaped not only their own community but also the world, especially the developing nations. The Aga Khan was just 20 years old when he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, on July 11, 1957. He is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.
Son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Aly Khan, the Aga Khan was born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva. Having spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, he then attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland for nine years before graduating from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history. Like his grandfather before him, the Aga Khan has dedicated his leadership to the well-being of all Muslims, helping them overcome the challenges of tumultuous historical changes.
Today, the Ismailies live in some 25 countries, mainly in West and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in North America and Western Europe. Over the four decades since the present Aga Khan became Imam, the world has witnessed major political and economic changes in most of these areas. What is admirable about him is that he has adapted the complex system of administering the Ismaili Community, pioneered by his grandfather during the colonial era, to a new world of nation-states. The changes that have swept through these countries have had tremendous influence on the Aga Khan and his thoughts.
As he said in 2006 in a speech to the graduates of the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University "While I was educated in the West, my perspective over these fifty years has been profoundly shaped by the countries of South and Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, where the Ismaili people live and where they are largely concentrated. For five decades, that has been my world-my virtually permanent preoccupation."
He also spoke about the hopes and frustration of the people living through these changes. As he put it: "For the developing world, the past half-century has been a time of recurring hope and frequent disappointment. Great waves of change have washed over the landscape -- from the crumbling of colonial hegemonies in mid century to the recent collapse of communist empires. But too often, what rushed in to replace the old order were empty hopes -- not only the false allure of state socialism, non-alignment, and single-party rule, but also the false glories of romantic nationalism and narrow tribalism, and the false dawn of runaway individualism.
Ismailies, regarded as peace-loving people, have a strong presence in Bangladesh making important contributions to the country's economic development as well as promoting services especially in education and health. The community is strongly involved in garments, engineering, food and chemicals industries. However, to most people in Bangladesh the Islamilies are known more for their active involvement in philanthropic and social causes than their business. Consider the help the Aga Khan Foundation has been providing to Brac, the world's largest NGO, in promoting non-formal education in Bangladesh. In the past 12 years the foundation has donated about US$75 million to support the non-formal schooling and poverty alleviation programme run by Brac. Education is one of the critical areas of human development that is most valued by His Highness the Aga Khan. He believes that the world should be prepared to manage changes -- whether positive or negative. To quote him: "There is no greater form of preparation for change than investments in education." The investments, he said, must focus on excellence in education and teachers of the highest quality-teachers who are creative and committed to their own life-long learning and self-improvement. According to him it also means investments in facilities that provide an environment conducive to building self-esteem, leadership, tolerance, ethical judgement and moral reasoning.
The Aga Khan School in Uttara Model Town provides an excellent example. Established in 1988 with 14 students and 7 teachers it has now grown into one of the leading English Medium schools in Bangladesh. Currently the school has approximately 1200 students and more than 100 highly qualified teachers. Starting at Playgroup the school runs classes up to A'Level, following the British curriculum's requirements, leading to GCSE O and A'Level examinations. The school is in the process of moving to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum. It is known for its outstanding results. Every year, the O'Level and A'Level examinees of Aga Khan School, bring out the best results from all over Bangladesh, especially in subjects like Pure Mathematics and Physics. The good news just does not end here. A new educational institute, the Aga Khan Academy, will be established in Bashundhara, Dhaka to offer quality education to young learners. Planned on 20 plus acres of land the academy will have classes from playgroup to 12th standard for about 1,000 students. In the mid-eighties the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) supported ICDDRB in a number of activities, including in field testing the efficacy of the rice-based ORT, which provides easily-available non-expensive treatment of diarrhoea patients.
During a recent meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed a delegation from Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Bangladesh explained how the community has been making contributions in the country's socio-economic development. The delegation, led by Council President Habib Hirji, said the Aga Khan Development Network has been set up in Bangladesh to help boost social development and reduce poverty. The Aga Khan Foundation is now working to develop the country's education sector, besides co-operating NGOs in their capacity building.
The Chief Adviser warmly greeted the delegation. He praised the Ismaili community and the Aga Khan Foundation for their valuable contribution in the social development of Bangladesh. The Aga Khan is expected to visit Bangladesh sometime during the Golden Jubilee celebrations that will take place from July 2007 to July 1008. Bangladesh eagerly looks forward to welcoming Him.