AKDN

Darwaz, Tajikistan; Darwaz, Afghanistan, 6 July 2004 - Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmonov, His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims, and Afghanistan's Vice-President Nematullah Shahrani, today inaugurated the Tajik-Afghan Friendship Bridge in Darwaz, which will consolidate permanent overland links between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Second in a series of bridges to be constructed across the River Panj, the ...

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Matola, Mozambique, 25 June 2004 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims, today joined President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique in announcing the creation of the Aga Khan Academy, Maputo, an academic centre of excellence which will be the second of some twenty being established by the Aga Khan Development Network across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle ...

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Geneva, Switzerland, 24 June 2004 - His Highness the Aga Khan has announced the selection of the lead architect and the landscape architect for the three sites of the University of Central Asia. The three campuses, in Tekeli, Kazakhstan; Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic; and Khorog, Tajikistan, are being conceived as innovative "university parks". Architectural planning for the sites is being carried out ...

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Kabul, Afghanistan, 23 June 2004 - The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, charged with promoting private sector investment in the developing world, have signed a US$7 million investment agreement to finance the refurbishment and expansion of the Kabul Serena Hotel as part of a US$28 million ...

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Toronto, Canada, 18 June 2004 - "True regime change occurs when liberty is guaranteed by a people free to create or support institutions of their own choosing. True regime change occurs when that strength and that freedom are defined by the depth, breadth and quality of education shared across the society in question." His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary ...

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Toronto, Canada, 18 June 2004 - "True regime change occurs when liberty is guaranteed by a people free to create or support institutions of their own choosing. True regime change occurs when that strength and that freedom are defined by the depth, breadth and quality of education shared across the society in question." ...

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Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, 19 May 2004 - "Democracy can fail anywhere, at any time, in any society ...for it is self-evident, in Europe and across the globe, that the existence of political parties and elections do not alone produce stable governments or competent leadership." His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary spiritual leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and ...

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Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, 19 May 2004 - His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary spiritual leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network, today outlined the need to recognise both the fragility of democracy as a form of governance as well as its virtues in advancing human development. ...

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Berlin, Germany, 31 March 2004 - "Social and economic reconstruction must be based first on the engendering of hope and trust in new, realistic opportunities" and the need to "build for the continuity of such efforts by the beneficiaries themselves." Addressing representatives of over 60 states and international organisations at a major conference here, His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual ...

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Antananarivo, Madagascar, 26 March 2004 - Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development Network, has decided to expand its emergency relief intervention into education and health care support to serve some of the more than 200,000 people affected by Cyclone Gafilo in northern Madagascar. This intervention is part of the commitment of US$100,000 made by His Highness ...

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Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 2 March 2004 - The World Bank and Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) have agreed to implement an innovative project aimed at reducing poverty in high-mountain areas around Lake Sarez. The US$ 2 million project is financed through the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) administered by the World Bank. Mr Hakim Feerasta, the Resident Representative of the Aga Khan Development ...

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Islamabad, Pakistan, 26 February 2004 -- The Privatisation Commission today formally granted the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) rights to 51% of the shareholding in Habib Bank Limited against a committed investment of Pakistani Rupees 22.409 billion (US$389 million) in accordance with all statutory requirements and the terms of the successful bid as approved by the Cabinet Committee on ...

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Damascus, Syria, 16 February 2004 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims today concluded a three-day official visit to Syria during which he had meetings with President Bashar al-Assad and a series of discussions with Ministers on key development priorities for the country. ...

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Damascus, Syria, 16 February 2004 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims today concluded a three-day official visit to Syria during which he had meetings with President Bashar al-Assad and a series of discussions with Ministers on key development priorities for the country. The Aga Khan's discussions with President Assad touched on a range ...

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Kampala, Uganda, 11 February 2004 - Serena Tourism Promotion Services (a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) has signed a thirty-year lease concession agreement with the Government of Uganda and agreed to invest US$18 million investment for extensive refurbishment and upgrading of the former Nile Hotel which will re-open in September 2005 as the Kampala Serena Hotel. Announcing ...

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Tehran, Iran, 12 January 2004 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, has made a contribution of €400,000 to the Iranian government for rehabilitation assistance to the victims of the earthquake that struck Bam over two weeks ago. Confirming the contribution, the Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Iran, Dr. Nouraddin Allahdini ...

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Mombasa, Kenya, 20 December 2003 - The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, the first in an international network of close to 20 academic centres of excellence was today inaugurated by Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims. ...

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Mombasa, Kenya, 20 December 2003 - The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, the first in an international network of close to 20 academic centres of excellence was today inaugurated by Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims. The Aga Khan Academies will feature a curriculum based on the International ...

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Athi River, Kenya, 19 December 2003 - Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki today officially opened the US$7.2 million Alltex EPZ Limited plant in the Export Processing Zone at Athi River in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). Alltex is a state-of-the-art ...

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Aswan, Egypt, 18 December 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims today announced a grant of US$ 320,000 for medical equipment by the Om Habibeh Foundation established by the Aga Khan's late step-grandmother, Om Habibeh, the Begum Sultan Mahomed Shah. Following a meeting with the Governor of Aswan, H.E. Samir Hassanin, ...

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Dubai, UAE, 13 December 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, today announced the first Ismaili Centre to be built in the Middle East. The Ismaili Centre, Dubai, when completed, will be comparable in scope and standing to existing major centres in London, Vancouver and Lisbon, the one underway in Dushanbe and the ...

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 13 December 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan,Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, today announced the first Ismaili Centre to be built in the Middle East. ...

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Bahrain, 7 to 9 December 2003. ...

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Karachi, Pakistan, 6 December 2003 - "When people of a distinctive faith or culture feel economically powerless or inherit clear injustice from which they cannot escape, or find their traditions and values engulfed culturally, and their societies maligned as bleak and unjust... they risk becoming the victims of those who would gain power by perverting an open, fluid, pluralistic tradition of ...

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Chitral, North West Frontier Province, 4 December 2003 - "Over the years ahead, we will be working together to change the quality and nature of the economy of Chitral." Addressing gatherings totalling over 120,000 in rugged yet spectacular mountain settings in this remote corner of Northern Pakistan, His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, today ...

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Nairobi, Kenya, 17 November 2003 - Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) today announced a capital increase of USD 32.4 million (KSh 2.5 billion) for investments in East Africa to be funded principally by three leading institutional shareholders. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), (a member of the overall Aga Khan Development Network), and affiliated entities will, upon completion of the ...

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Bamako, Mali, 13 October 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims yesterday concluded his four-day official visit to Mali with the signature of an agreement under which the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) will work towards launching new initiatives in the country. The agreement, signed by the Aga Khan and President Amadou Toumani ...

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Bamako, Mali, 13 October 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims yesterday concluded his four-day official visit to Mali with the signature of an agreement under which the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) will work towards launching new initiatives in the country. ...

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Djenne, Mali, 11 October 2003 - "Today, we face a delicate situation in which all Muslims of peace need to unite to present to the world a face of an Islam of peace, unity, intelligence and conviction." His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims today addressed a crowd of over three thousand people who had ...

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Timbuktu, Mali, 10 October 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims today retraced the footsteps of scholars and merchants whose journeys across the Sahara once helped establish a major cultural and commercial crossroads in this medieval city. ...

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Timbuktu, Mali, 10 October 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims today retraced the footsteps of scholars and merchants whose journeys across the Sahara once helped establish a major cultural and commercial crossroads in this medieval city. Walking through the sand-swept alleys of this ancient seat of learning to the 14th century Djingereiber ...

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Kabul, Afghanistan, 18 September 2003 - The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) today received a banking licence for The First MicroFinanceBank (FMFB). The institution, with an initial capital of US$ 5 million, will be the first of its kind to be established under the country's new regulatory structure. AKFED, the majority shareholder in the new bank, has mobilised international ...

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Kabul, Afghanistan, 26 June 2003 - "Roshan" is the brand under which Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd. (TDCA) will introduce its digital GSM wireless services. The word "Roshan" means "light" in Dari and Pashto, Afghanistan's two most widely spoken languages. "We hope to enable connections that will revive the trust, friendship and cooperation necessary to bring the country out of a ...

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Damascus, Syria, 26 June 2003 - A model of revitalisation, the Souq al Saghir project in Masyaf was inaugurated on June 26th 2003 under the patronage of the Governor of the Hama Province. One of several activities of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Syria, the project uses cultural heritage and the built environment to catalyse social and economic development ...

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 5 May 2003 - "Creating a sound future for the peoples of Central Asia requires a clear focus on building new concepts and new institutions for new civil societies." His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, today called on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and other international financial institutions to ...

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Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 2 May 2003 - Following critically acclaimed concerts in North America and Europe, Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble brought their unique fusion of ancient Silk Road traditions and western classical music to the heart of the Silk Road: in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic; Almaty, Kazakhstan; and Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The concerts were accompanied by master classes - attended by ...

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Tekeli, Kazakhstan, 1 May 2003 - His Highness the Aga Khan accompanied by the Minister for Education, Ms. Shamsha Berkimbayeva, visited Taldykorgan region of Almaty Oblast to view potential sites for the Kazakh campus of the University of Central Asia. The University, established by international treaty between Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and the Ismaili Imamat, is the world's first institution ...

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New Delhi, India, 15 April 2003 ...

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New Delhi, India, 15 April 2003 - "Whether through neglect or wilful destruction, the disappearance of physical traces of the past deprives us of more than memories. Spaces that embody historic realities remind us of the lessons of the past." His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims was speaking at the inauguration of the restored ...

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Damascus, Syria, 17 March 2003 - The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has launched its first micro credit facilities under agreements signed with the Syrian Ministry of Health and the Governorates of Aleppo, Hama and Tartous. Innovative multi-year programmes, these facilities are aimed at stimulating income-generation in low-income areas and promoting small-scale agricultural and industrial enterprises. In Aleppo and Hama provinces, ...

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