Geneva Peace Development Centre

We Are All Equal In the Voting Booth Let the Michigan Florida Delegates Be Seated

2008-04-03T11:36:00.008+05:00

We Are All Equal In the Voting Booth Let the Michigan Florida Delegates Be Seated Make Sure America Wins:

It is a bedrock Democracy principle: we are all equal in the voting booth (and outside it). No matter where we were born or how much money we were born into, no matter the color of our skin or where we worship, our vote deserves to count.

But millions of people in Florida and Michigan who went to the polls aren't being heard. The delegates they elected won't be seated at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August -- and that's just not fair to those voters, less to speak of brutality to American Democracy.

The people of Michigan and Florida must have a voice in selecting our nominee for president. The Americans have repeatedly called for seating their delegates.

Democracy of America is at stake. Please make sure it is held in high esteem, as always. Let the delegates of Michigan and Florida be seated. Make sure America wins.

Anwar Ali Merchant

Founder Chairman - President

Notes:
Formed on the auspicious birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him and his family] Rabi ul Awwal 12, 1429 ME, Friday March 21 2008, Muslim Democracy League is the new and upcoming political forum and thinktank of Pakistan, contributing knowledge, consultation and insight related to promotion of faith based consensus democracy in Pakistan.
The norms and assumptions that characterise belief and action in Islam have their initial inspiration in two foundation sources. One is the message revealed by God to the Holy Prophet [peace be upon him and his family] and recorded in Quran. The second is Sunnah, the recording of the Prophet's life, his words, actions and habits, his character, struggle, piety, modesty and success that has come in time to represent for Muslims, a timeless pattern for daily life. And this is true both for the state and the individual. Accordingly, Muslim Democracy League supports to enhance theological and political consensus among different parties, forums and stake holders for the smooth working of good governance in Pakistan. Muslim Democracy League is the continuation of the original theme and format of Muslim League [1906] and facilitates collaboration between people, civil society and government to address some of the development needs of the people of Pakistan today, and seeks to build confidence between West and Muslims.
Muslim Democracy League works to historically deliver, so to speak about civil society and democracy, knowledge and learning, health, housing and economy, technology, industry and commerce, heritage and environment, alleviation of the sufferings of the poor, the sick and the needy, women emancipation and good governance, theological and political consensus, protection and welfare of minorities, support for responsible media, independence of judiciary, indigenous rule of the people, dignity and integrity of the government, Muslim Caliphate, Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Islamic ethics of discipline, tolerance, knowledge, development, pluralism, interfaith harmony and global peace.

For more information please contact:
Email:muslimdemocracy@gmail.com
+923455086313

Muslim Democracy League

Anwar Ali Merchant Congratulates the Cabinet of Excellency Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani

2008-04-01T12:58:00.003+05:00

Anwar Ali Merchant Congratulates the Cabinet of Excellency Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Text of the message of congratulations for Excellency Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani:

Islamabad, March 31, 2008

Excellency Yousuf Raza Gilani

Prime Minister

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Sir,

On the happy occasion of your 24-member cabinet sworn in by His Excellency President Musharraf, I send you my warmest hearty congratulations with prayers for success in all your future endeavors.

I send my hearty felicitations and best wishes individually to each of the honorable ministers sworn in today:

Shah Mehmood Qureshi (Foreign Minister), Sherry Rehman (Information Minister), Syed Naveed Qamar (Minister for Privatisation/Port and Shipping-additional), Raja Pervez Ashraf (Minister for Water and Power), Syed Khursheed Shah (Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis), Qamar Zaman Kaira (Minister for Kashmir Affairs), Senator Farooq Naek (Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights), Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar (Minister for Defence), Nazar Muhammad Gondal (Minister for Narcotics), Najamuddin Khan (Minister for States and Frontier Region) and Mir Humayon Aziz Kurd (Minister for Population Welfare), Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan (Senior Minister), Senator Ishaq Dar (Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs and Commerce), Ahsan Iqbal (Minister for Education), Tehmina Daultana (Minister for Women Development), Sardar Mehtab Abbasi (Minister for Railways), Khawaja Asif (Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources), Rana Tanveer Hussain (Minister for Defense Production), Shahid Khakhan Abbasi (Ministry of Trade), Khawaja Saad Rafiq (Minister for Youth Affairs), Ghulam Ahmed Bilour (Minister for Local Government and Rural Development), Khawaja Mohammed Khan Hoti (Minister for Social Welfare), Rehmatullah Kakar, Hameedullah Jan Afridi, and Rehman Malik.

I also take this opportunity to congratulate President Musharraf for having successfully put Pakistan on the roadmap of democracy and welfare of the people of Pakistan.

Excellency, once again I congratulate you and the honorable ministers from the bottom of my heart with prayers for welfare, happiness, independence and sovereignty of our great nation – Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Anwar Merchant

Founder Chairman – President

Muslim Democracy League

Islamabad 44000

Pakistan+923455086313

Email: nuslimdemocracy@gmail.com

NOTES:
Formed on the auspicious birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him and his family] Rabi ul Awwal 12, 1429 ME, Friday March 21, 2008, Muslim Democracy League is the political forum and thinktank of Pakistan, contributing knowledge, consultation and insight related to promotion of faith based consensus democracy in Pakistan.

The norms and assumptions that characterise belief and action in Islam have their initial inspiration in two foundation sources. One is the message revealed by God to the Holy Prophet [peace be upon him and his family] and recorded in Quran. The second is Sunnah, the recording of the Prophet's life, his words, actions and habits, his character, struggle, piety, modesty and success that has come in time to represent for Muslims, a timeless pattern for daily life. And this is true both for the state and the individual. Accordingly, Muslim Democracy League supports to enhance theological and political consensus among different stake holders for the development of good governance in Pakistan.

Muslim Democracy League is the continuation of the original theme and format of Muslim League [1906]. It works to build confidence between West and Muslims, and facilitates collaboration between people, civil society and government to address some of the development needs in Pakistan today.

Muslim Democracy works to historically deliver, both for Pakistan and world community so to speak about civil society and democracy, knowledge and learning, health, housing and economy, technology, industry and commerce, heritage and environment, alleviation of the sufferings of the poor, the sick and the needy, women emancipation and good governance, theological and political consensus, protection and welfare of minorities, support for responsible media, independence of judiciary, indigenous rule of the people, dignity and integrity of the government, Muslim Caliphate, Armed Forces, Law Agencies, and Islamic ethics of discipline, tolerance, knowledge, development, pluralism, interfaith harmony and global peace.

Muslim Democracy League - A New Political Party Formed in Pakistan

2008-03-21T23:00:00.007+05:00

Muslim Democracy League

PRESS RELEASE

Friday March 21, 2008

12 Rabi ul Awwal 1429

On the auspicious occasion of Eid Milad un Nabi, the birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him and his family] Rabi ul Awwal 12, 1429 Friday March 21, 2008 a new political party - Muslim Democracy League was formed at a simple ceremony and meeting held here today at Islamabad, the Federal Capital of Pakistan Islamic Republic.

Mr. Anwar Ali Merchant was elected Chairman of the newly formed Muslim Democracy League, with mandate to organise the party on a three tier system - natioal, provincial and district.

The Mission:

Muslim Democracy League shall work to promote theological and political consensus between different stake holders in the political system of Pakistan, so as to enhance friendship, trust and peace among all segments of State, Government and Society.

Background:

“And when she (Holy Mary) withdrew from her people unto a place towards the east, and secluded herself from them; and we sent unto her Our Spirit, and it appeared unto her in the likeness of a perfect man. She said: I take refuge from thee in the Infinitely Good, if any piety thou hast. He said: I am none other than a messenger from thy Lord that I may bestow on thee a son most pure. She said: How can there be for me a son, when no man hath touched me, nor am I unchaste? He said: Even so shall it be; thy Lord saith: It is easy for thy Lord. That He may make him (Jesus) a sign for mankind and a mercy from Him; and it is a thing ordained.” (Qur'an 19:16-21)

“The fact that one Revelation should name others as authentic’”, Cyril Glasse remarks of Qur’anic liberalism toward the Christian and Judaic traditions (and those outside these traditions), “is an extraordinary event in the history of religions”. Diversity in seventh century Arabia is richly mirrored in the verses of that revelation that stressed its continuity rather than exclusivity: in cognizance of complex truths, tolerance is enjoined upon Muslims, a value whose benefit was denied to them as a nascent minority. Thus, “every community has a direction to which it should turn”. Mankind was made “into nations and tribes, that you may know each other” – for “if God had pleased He would made you a single people”. Theologically, the central principle of divine unity (Tawhid), which also unifies the secular and religious spheres in Islam, validated the experiences of those adhering to other faiths.

“O Humankind! We have created you out of male and female and constituted you into different groups and societies, so that you may come to know each other – the noblest of you in the sight of God, are the ones possessing taqwa.” (49:11-13)

The human quality that encompasses the concept of the ideal ethical value in the Qur’an is summed up in the term taqwa, which in its various forms occurs over two hundred times in the text. It represents, on the one hand, the moral grounding that underlies human action, while on the other; it signifies the ethical conscience which makes human beings aware of their responsibilities to God and society. Thus when applied in the wider social context taqwa becomes the universal, ethical mark of a truly moral community.

The norms and assumptions that characterise belief and action in Islam have their initial inspiration in two foundation sources. One is the message revealed by God to the Holy Prophet and recorded in Quran. The second is Sunnah, the recording of the Prophet’s life, his words, actions and habits, his character, struggle, piety, and success that has come in time to represent for Muslims, a timeless pattern for daily life.

Under the rocks of the Abu Kobeis, that rises eastward of Mecca over the narrow valley, stood the house of Amina, the birthplace of her only son. On the morning of Monday, 12th Rabbi ul Awal 52 years before ME, April 22, 571 CE, a grandson was born to Abdul Muttalib, who named him Muhammad (the extolled one).

"To the Arab nation" writes Thomas Carlyle in "Heroes and Hero-Worship" (London, 1850, p. 101), "it was as a birth from darkness into light; Arabia first became alive by means of it. The Arabs, a poor shepherd nation, roaming unnoticed in its deserts since the creation of the world; a Holy Prophet was sent down to them with a word they could believe."
John William Draper also writes in "History of the Intellectual Development of Europe" (London, 1875, 1st vol., p. 329) that, "Four years after the death of Justinian, 571 CE, was born at Mecca, in Arabia, the man who, of all men, has exercised the greatest influence upon the human race." According to "The Life of Mahomet" (London, 1930, p. 171) by Dermenghem, "Muhammad appeared on the scene at one of the darkest periods in all history, when all the civilizations, from Merovingian Gaul to India, were falling to ruin or were in a state of troubled gestation."
Indeed, Muslims are the ones who submit to God. It is a community of the middle path and balance. The Qur’an teacheth to avoid extremes, to enjoin good and forbid evil, using the best of arguments. Muslims are religiously required to shun compulsion, propagate peacefully and leave each to their own faith. Islam encourages all to vie for goodness: it is the nobility of conduct which endears one in the sight of God. In its perfect sense, Islam refers to the inner struggle of the individual, waged singly and in consonance with fellow believers, to engage in earthly life, and yet, to rise above its complexity in search of the Divine. In Islam this quest is only meaningful if kept in tandem with the effort to do good for the kin, the orphan, the needy, the sick, the vulnerable; to be just, honest, humble, tolerant and forgiving.

Addressing, the International Conference on the Example (Seerat) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) in Karachi in 1976, the Aga Khan said that the wisdom of Allah’s final Prophet in seeking new solutions for problems which could not be solved by traditional methods, provides the inspiration for Muslims to conceive a truly modern and dynamic society, without affecting the fundamental concepts of Islam.
The divine revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) opened new horizons, in that it has become a binding force for the humanity living in far-flung lands, the diverse languages and dialects it speaks, and the multitude of traditions – scientific, artistic, religious, and cultural – which goes in to the making of a distinctive ethos. This message of global pluralism is inspiring today and shall remain so even tomorrow, and thereafter.

Sultan Muhammad Shah – more familiarly known as Aga Khan III [1877-1957] occupies unique position in the history of creation of Pakistan. He was the first President of the All India Muslim League at a very young age, in his twenties. He entered into the forefront of the freedom movement which ultimately culminated in the independence of Pakistan. Earlier, Aga Khan III had been chosen as the best spokesman of Muslim interests and in that capacity led the famous Simla delegation to the Viceroy, Lord Minto, on 1 October 1906. That story has been detailed at length by Syed Razi Wasti in his Lord Minto and the Indian Nationalist Movement 1905 to 1910 and in brief by Syed Munir Wasti in Aga Khan III and the Morley-Minto reforms. Some description of the occasion from a feminine point-of-view is given by Mary, Lady Minto, in her book India: Minto and Morley 1905-1910, [London: Macmillan, 1935, pp. 45-48].

The Aga Khan realized that the Muslims should not keep themselves aloof from politics because the Congress was already proving incapable in representing the Indian Muslims. At length, the demands of separate electorate and weight age in number in representation to all elected bodies were accepted by the Viceroy Lord Minto, and incorporated in the Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909. The natural consequence of a favourable response to Muslim demands and safeguards was the creation of an active political party, the All India Muslim League, which would take upon itself the important task of providing the Muslims a platform for their protection and work for the furtherance of their political agenda independently.As Aga Khan III writes in his Memoirs: Our achievement in 1906 seemed important enough; and it was obvious to most of us associated with it…that we must have the political organization to make that separate representation effective.

The All-India Muslim league was therefore founded at a meeting at Dacca later that year... I was elected its President and as such I remained till 1912.Thus, on 30 December 1906, less than three months after the delegation visited Lord Minto, the All India Muslim League was formally launched at Dacca. This is the definitive date. Contrary to the prejudiced versions of Hindu historians, this separate grouping of Muslims did not receive any accolades from the British. Important British publications like The Times and The Spectator were indifferent.The Muslim League rose rapidly in political importance and became the rallying point of the Muslims. Early financial difficulties were removed by generous grants from the Aga Khan and other philanthropists. A constitution was framed and accepted within two years. The Muslim League held its annual sessions regularly from 1907 to 1913 – the tenure of the Aga Khan’s presidency. A contributory factor in pulling off this amazing political triumph was the dynamic. foresight and energetic leadership of the young Aga Khan who held his own special equation with the British. Thus, he was on friendly terms with John Morley, the Secretary of State for India, who writes the following in his diary for 18 February 1909: I had a long talk with the Aga Khan last Saturday on the eve of his retreat into a nursing home. As always, I found him pleasant, extremely intelligent, and quick. I begged him to dismiss from his mind what I had seen stated, that, “like all other English Radicals, I had a hatred of Islam.” What other Liberals thought about Islam, I did not know; but for myself, if I were to have a label, I should be called a Positivist, and in the Positivist Calendar, framed by Comte after the manner of the Catholics, Mahomet is one of the great leading saints, and has the high honour of giving his name to a Week!(The Recollections, by John Viscount Morley, Vol. 2, pp. 296-297, 1917)Of direct descent from Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him and his family], the Aga Khan could raise himself above the blinkered views of the various Indian nationalists. Even an antagonistic historian, Lal Bahadur admits:On account of his deep knowledge of Arabic and Persian languages, his extensive tour of Western countries his immense financial resources and high connections, the Aga Khan had already captured the imagination of Muslim masses. [The Muslim League: its history, activities and achievements, Lahore: 1979, p. 45.]After the founding session of the Muslim league in Dacca, the first formal session was held in Karachi in 1907. In the third session [at Aligarh] in 1908, the Aga Khan was elected permanent President. He made first donation to the League fund. In 1909, the League sessions were held in Lucknow after which the Aga Khan visited the famous Islamic seminary, the Nadwat-ul Ulema, and supported their movement for the spread of Islamic teachings and culture throughout India [Matiur Rahman: From consultation to confrontation – a study of the Muslim League in British Indian politics 1906-1912 p. 180]. In an interview to The Times [14 February 1909], the Aga Khan advised the headstrong Hindus that ‘they should frankly abandon the untenable claim that they speak for the whole of India…’ [Aga Khan III – selected speeches and writings, Ed K.K. Aziz, London: 1998, vol. 1, p. 293].At a speech given at a civic reception in Bombay, the Aga Khan [on 10 January 1910] said: ‘You have been kind enough to refer to me as the leader of the Muslims. It is the greatest honour that any individual can aspire to and that a community can confer….’ It is clear that the Aga Khan was conscious of the tremendous responsibility that his leadership of the Muslims entailed and he geared up all his resources in the service of that goal. [Aziz, p. 320]In 1912, the venue for the sessions of the Muslim League was Calcutta. The Balkan War [against Turkey] had been launched and was universally condemned. The Aga Khan [in Europe] cabled the session that the Muslim League should suspend all its work and concentrate totally on assistance to Turkey. Finally, in 1913, the Aga Khan resigned from the Presidentship of the Muslim League. His reasons for doing so are spelled out in a letter to Syed Ameer Ali [2 November 1913] thus: My reasons are numerous, both personal and public… I am so circumstanced that I am compelled to be out of India for considerable periods every year…Thus, I cannot carry out the duties of President in the way I should like…But I do not propose to sever my connexion with the League; far from it – I indeed wish to belong to its council…. [Aziz, p. 464].In summary, the great and vital role played by the Aga Khan in the establishment and during the formative years of the Muslim League is noted for dedication to an ideal: the resurgence of the Muslims at all levels. It was an opportune moment for the Muslims at such a critical juncture when they were in danger of being swept away amid the flood of Indian nationalism; they were given a clear goal and a sense of direction by Aga Khan III and other selfless Muslim leaders.As Matiur Rahman writes, ‘Within a short time, it [Muslim League] had galvanised the Indian Muslims into a political force second only to the Congress, leading to creation of Bharat and Pakistan largely influenced by the concept of the two nation theory of Aga Khan.

After the collapse of the Great Revolution of 1857, the Muslims in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent were hounded out of all opportunities and employments. Full advantage of the hostile attitude of the British was taken by other communities who thus surpassed the Muslims in every field. It was the genius of Syed Ahmed Khan, which tried to bring about a change in their prejudices against the British.In 1875, Syed Ahmed Khan laid the foundation of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh. In 1885, Mr. Hume, an English retired member of I.C.S. established the Indian National Congress. The Muslims under the leadership of Syed Ahmed Khan were soon found trying to keep themselves aloof from the Congress because it had become obvious that its activities were by no means favorable to them.It was in the great hall of Aligarh College, that in the year 1896, this grand old man of Muslim India met a very young man in whom he soon began to pin his hopes. His Highness Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah Prince Aga Khan had visited the college where Syed Ahmed Khan, aged 82, welcomed him and presented an address in Persian to which the former also replied in Persian. Two years later Syed Ahmed Khan passed away.In 1897, the Aga Khan presented three addresses of congratulations to the then Viceroy Lord Elgin at Simla; one on behalf of his community, the other as leader of the Muslims of Western India and a third on behalf of a representative assemblage of the citizens of Bombay and Poona. In 1902, Prince Aga Khan was appointed for two years a member of the Viceroy's Council, which in those days was a very influential body. He took his residence at Calcutta then capital of India.The Aga Khan's appointment to the Viceroy's Legislative council at the age of 25 years, as he then was, proved an effective training ground for his future public and political life. Besides other important men, he came in close contact with Lord Curzon, Lord Kitchner and the great Indian Leader, Mr. Gokhale. He also kept himself in touch with Nawab Viqarul Mulk and Nawab Mohsinul Mulk, whom he had met during his visit to Aligarh in 1896. In 1904, Aga Khan was again offered membership of the council for two more years but he did not accept it. I think it was mostly for the reason that he wanted to participate actively in politics, as the future events show. In 1902-03, he presided at the session of the All India Muslim Education Conference held at Delhi, on the occasion of the Coronation of King Edward VII, and made a strong appeal to the Muslims to raise the Aligarh College to the status of a University.His active participation in the public life for about ten years gave the young Aga Khan an insight into the condition of Muslim India. He recalls his impressions about this period in his Memoirs as under:"At the same time I began to realize, during these two crucial years (when he was a member of Viceroy's Executive Council) that the Congress Party, the only active and responsible political organization in the country, would prove itself incapable, was already proving itself incapable, of representing India's Muslims, or of dealing adequately or justly with the needs and aspirations of the Muslim community. The pressure of Hindu extremism was too strong. Already that artificial unity which the British Raj had imposed from without, was cracking. Deep seated and ineradicable differences expressed themselves once political activity and aspiration had advanced beyond the most elementary stage. The breach was there in Hindu intransigence and lack of perception of basic Muslim ideals and hopes. I did all I could to prevent the breach widened. I maintained a campaign of remonstrance with Sir Pheroze Shah Mehta, who was high in the counsels of the Congress Party, who was a friend of my family and who had known me since childhood. I begged him to use his influence and make Congress realize how important it was to win Muslim confidence. But all to no avail."Having been disappointed at the attitude of the Hindu dominated Congress, Prince Aga Khan, and his old friend Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk along with other Muslims, thought of organizing the Muslims and safeguarding their interests. On 1st October 1906, after consultations with Prince Aga Khan Nawab Mohsin- ul-Mulk, organized a deputation of 35 Indian Muslims, with the former as their leader, to present demands of Muslim India to the then Viceroy, Lord Minto, at Simla. The copy of the Address was prepared and sent in advance to the Viceroy. However, while traveling from Colombo to Simla, His Highness telegraphically suggested certain additions and alterations from intervening stations to be made in it. The Address read before the Viceroy by Prince Aga Khan inter alia demanded what is known as separate electorates for the Muslims of India. Hitherto the Congress which had numerical majority was persisting in ignoring the realities of communal situation and in sending only third rate Muslims from preponderantly Hindu provinces like Madras and Bombay. The Muslims, therefore, asked for their separate representations at all levels of Government working - district boards, municipalities and legislative councils. They demanded that the elections for Muslims in these tiers should be held separately and exclusively by them thus providing an opportunity to Muslim voters to return Muslim representatives according to their choice. In the Address, Prince Aga Khan also laid great emphasis on the raising, of the Aligarh College to a full-fledged University.On 1 October, 1906, the news of the demands of Muslims for separate electorates spread like wild fire throughout the length and breadth of India. The Congress raised a storm of protests. There was some so-called nationalist Muslims who ridiculed this step of their brethren.To assert their stand and make known the correct view-point of Muslims, Prince Aga Khan thought that it was necessary to have a political platform and association for the Muslims of India. He, therefore, on 24th October, 1906 wrote a letter to Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk which is a very important document in the History of Muslims of this subcontinent because with this document starts the Muslim League under whose flag the Muslims won their freedom and got Pakistan. The letter (1) is quoted below in full:11, Elysium Road. Calcutta24th October, 1906My dear Nawab Sahib,Perhaps I may be allowed as one, who took part in the recent deputation to H.E. the Viceroy to make a few suggestions as to future. The whole of the Mohammedan Community have taken the keenest interest in the movement and look to us to try our best to secure that the objects which were set forth in the address may be ultimately secured.It may be well that provincial associations should be formed with the aim of safeguarding the political interests of Mohammedans in the various portions of India, and similarly some central organization for the whole. On these matters, I do not wish to pronounce an opinion. They are best left I think to the discretion of the leaders in the days that are to come.But as the deputation was formed with a view to the securing of certain definite objects of the most vital interest to Mohammedans as a whole, I venture to regard its work as begun only, and it seems to me from every point of view important that it should without delay continue its labors until complete success has crowned its efforts. To this end, I would suggest that the deputation which presented the address resolve itself into a committee to endeavor to obtain the granting of the various prayers which the address embodied. This Mohammedan Committee for the completion of work of the deputation might, if it were thought necessary, add to its numbers, though I would suggest, in the interest of the rapid carrying out of its business, that this would be done sparingly, I am sure also that I express what is the wish of all my fellow Mohammedan when I ask you to continue to act as Secretary of this Committee.Please circulate my letter among the members of the deputation.I am, my dear Nawab Sahib,Sincerely Yours,Aga KhanPSI further suggest that if any of the members of this committee be absent or unable to give proper attention the other members should act without consulting him. However, this should not mean his resignation, but only his inability to be of service for the time being. Such an absent or indisposed member, unless direction asked to resign or himself resigns will continue to be a permanent member of the Committee.AKIt was decided to deliberate upon the contents of Prince Aga Khan's letter at the time of All India Muslim Educational Conference that was being held at Dacca. Consequently, at a conference held there on 30th December, 1906 under the chairmanship of Nawab Viqarul Mulk a political institution known as the Muslim League was formed. The resolution for this was moved by the Nawab of Dacca Khwaja Salimullah who had earlier, by the middle of December, elaborated a scheme in view of Aga Khan's letter. Both Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, as was the desire of the Aga Khan in his letter, were appointed the secretaries. Prince Aga Khan was appointed its first Permanent President which office he occupied for six years until 1912. The second and third sessions of the League were held at Karachi which was attended by the Aga Khan and at Aligarh. In September 1907 and March 1908, respectively, Maulvi Mohammed Amin Zubairi in his Urdu compilation "Prince Aga Khan" published in 1952, at page 121, says "At that time it was very necessary to propagate and explain the aims and objects of the Muslim League as well as to have money for its office expenses. The League had no fund of its own. As such His Highness was good enough to fix an annual recurring grant and also contributed a lump-sum as initial grant. In the mean time at the initiative of His Highness a British branch of the All India Muslim League was formed in London with Sir Amirali as its Chairman. Here also all the expenses were given by the Aga Khan."As a corollary to the political awakening of Muslims the Aga Khan took up the project of raising Aligarh College founded by Syed Ahmed Khan, to a University about which he had already emphasized in his speech in 1902.In 1911, the Aga Khan along- with Maulana Shaukat Ali toured all over India and collected funds to get the status of a University for the Aligarh College. Maulana Shibli commenting on this work of the Aga Khan said, "What six crores of Muslims could not do what the Aga Khan alone did and got for the Muslims of India a University of their own". Looking back to the history of Muslim struggle in this Subcontinent who can doubt that it was in the portals of Aligarh University that Pakistan was born.
Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was nominated by the Muslim League as the Governor-General of Pakistan, while the Congress appointed Mountbatten as India's first Governor-General. Pakistan, it has been truly said, was born in virtual chaos. Indeed, few nations in the world have started on their career with less resources and in more treacherous circumstances. The new nation did not inherit a central government, a capital, an administrative core, or an organized defense force. Its social and administrative resources were poor; there was little equipment and still less statistics. The Punjab holocaust had left vast areas in a shambles with communications disrupted.

The treasury was empty, India having denied Pakistan the major share of its cash balances. On top of all this, the still unorganized nation was called upon to feed some eight million refugees who had fled the insecurities and barbarities of the north Indian plains that long, hot summer. If all this was symptomatic of Pakistan's administrative and economic weakness, the Indian annexation, through military action in November 1947, of Junagadh (which had originally acceded to Pakistan) and the Kashmir war over the State's accession (October 1947-December 1948). In the circumstances, therefore, it was nothing short of a miracle that Pakistan survived at all. That it survived and forged ahead was mainly due to one man-Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The nation desperately needed in the person of a charismatic leader at that critical juncture in the nation's history, and he fulfilled that need profoundly. After all, he was more than a mere Governor-General: he was the Quaid-i-Azam who had brought the State into being.

In the ultimate analysis, his very presence at the helm of affairs was responsible for enabling the newly born nation to overcome the terrible crisis on the morrow of its cataclysmic birth. He mustered up the immense prestige and the unquestioning loyalty he commanded among the people to energize them, to raise their morale, land directed the profound feelings of patriotism that the freedom had generated, along constructive channels. Though tired and in poor health, Jinnah yet carried the heaviest part of the burden in that first crucial year. He laid down the policies of the new state, called attention to the immediate problems confronting the nation and told the members of the Constituent Assembly, the civil servants and the Armed Forces what to do and what the nation expected of them. He saw to it that law and order was maintained at all costs, despite the provocation that the large-scale riots in north India had provided. He moved from Karachi to Lahore for a while and supervised the immediate refugee problem in the Punjab. In a time of fierce excitement, he remained sober, cool and steady. He advised his excited audience in Lahore to concentrate on helping the refugees, to avoid retaliation, exercise restraint and protect the minorities. He assured the minorities of a fair deal, assuaged their inured sentiments, and gave them hope and comfort. He toured the various provinces, attended to their particular problems and instilled in the people a sense of belonging. He reversed the British policy in the North-West Frontier and ordered the withdrawal of the troops from the tribal territory of Waziristan, thereby making the Pathans feel themselves an integral part of Pakistan's body-politics. He created a new Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, and assumed responsibility for ushering in a new era in Balochistan. He settled the controversial question of the states of Karachi, secured the accession of States, especially of Kalat which seemed problematical and carried on negotiations with Lord Mountbatten for the settlement of the Kashmir Issue.

The Quaid's last Message:
It was, therefore, with a sense of supreme satisfaction at the fulfillment of his mission that Jinnah told the nation in his last message on 14 August, 1948: "The foundations of your State have been laid and it is now for you to build and build as quickly and as well as you can". In accomplishing the task he had taken upon himself on the morrow of Pakistan's birth, Jinnah had worked himself to death, but he had, to quote richard Symons, "contributed more than any other man to Pakistan's survivial". He died on 11 September, 1948. How true was Lord Pethick Lawrence, the former Secretary of State for India, when he said, "Gandhi died by the hands of an assassin; Jinnah died by his devotion to Pakistan".
A man such as Jinnah, who had fought for the inherent rights of his people all through his life and who had taken up the somewhat unconventional and the largely misinterpreted cause of Pakistan, was bound to generate violent opposition and excite implacable hostility and was likely to be largely misunderstood. But what is most remarkable about Jinnah is that he was the recipient of some of the greatest tributes paid to any one in modern times, some of them even from those who held a diametrically opposed viewpoint. The Aga Khan considered him "the greatest man he ever met", Beverley Nichols, the author of `Verdict on India', called him "the most important man in Asia", and Dr. Kailashnath Katju, the West Bengal Governor in 1948, thought of him as "an outstanding figure of this century not only in India, but in the whole world". While Abdul Rahman Azzam Pasha, Secretary General of the Arab League, called him "one of the greatest leaders in the Muslim world", the Grand Mufti of Palestine considered his death as a "great loss" to the entire world of Islam. It was, however, given to Surat Chandra Bose, leader of the Forward Bloc wing of the Indian National Congress, to sum up succinctly his personal and political achievements. "Mr Jinnah", he said on his death in 1948, "was great as a lawyer, once great as a Congressman, great as a leader of Muslims, great as a world politician and diplomat, and greatest of all as a man of action, By Mr. Jinnah's passing away, the world has lost one of the greatest statesmen and Pakistan its life-giver, philosopher and guide". Such was Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the man and his mission, such the range of his accomplishments and achievements.

Pakistan Islamic Republic supports UN, enhances knowledge, interfaith harmony, development and global peace.

For more information please contact:

muslimdemocracy@gmail.com

+92 (0) 345 5086313

Aziz calls on Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph

2008-02-03T11:19:00.000+05:00

Aziz calls on Aga Khan : Shaukat Aziz former Prime Minister of Pakistan called on His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan at his Paris residence this week January 31 2008. The two leaders exchanged views on international situation. The former Prime Minister paid rich tributes to Prince Aga Khan for his excemplary meritorious services for the cause of Muslim Ummah, and the poor, the sick and the needy in emerging economies. The Fatimid Imam Caliph expressed his pleasure over the financial development of Pakistan. Due to effective economic policy of the government, financial stability took place in Pakistan, said Aga Khan.His Highness Aga Khan is establishing a Muslim University with a total cost of US $ 500 million, the president of Aga Khan Council, Iqbal Waljee, said in Karachi on Thursday, 24 January 2008.. He said 1,000 acres of land has been acquired for the purpose on Super Highway in Karachi. The Aga Khan will inaugurate the ground breaking shortly, he said adding that acadamic activity will start from 2011. Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Imamat Caliphate of Aga Khan is being marked in Pakistan with high profile programmes including lecture series by Karen Armstrong on intellectual traditions in Islam.And as Pakistan is going through anxious moments, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program have endorsed full confidence in the leadership of Excellency President Musharraf. We believe President Musharraf has been historically delivering his best, both for Pakistan and world community so to speak about civil society and democracy, women emancipation and good governance, theological and political consensus, freedom of expression, media support, independence of judiciary, indigenous rule of people and global peace. http://ismaili.us/

More effective strategies needed to prevent global conflicts – UN report

2008-02-02T20:34:00.000+05:00

Despite a wide range of tools available to the United Nations in the areas of preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacebuilding, a new United Nations report calls for measures to boost the world body’s capacity to prevent conflicts. Citing a “considerable gap” between rhetoric surrounding prevention and the use of measures towards that end, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states that “the overriding challenge for the international community remains the development of more effective strategies for preventing conflict.” In his latest report on conflict prevention, particularly in Africa, Mr. Ban notes that the cost of armed conflict on the continent is equal to or greater than the amount of money it receives in international aid. “Had that money not been lost as a result of armed conflict, it could have been used to address Africa’s growing development and humanitarian needs,” he points out. The Secretary-General believes the key priority is to further enhance the UN’s work in the area of conflict prevention, and has unveiled plans to strengthen the capacity of the Secretariat, especially the Department of Political Affairs. The report proposes to strengthen the Organization’s regional field presence in support of prevention, particularly in Africa. While effective preventive action requires substantial human and financial resources, peacekeeping or peace enforcement costs much more, he notes, adding “we must therefore move from declarations of intent to concrete actions to ensure that preventive diplomacy becomes more effective.” He notes that the UN is already bolstering its partnerships with Member States and regional organizations to develop their conflict prevention capacities, as evidenced by the world body’s close cooperation with the African Union on several prevention, peacekeeping and peacemaking initiatives. Noting the underrepresentation of women at the formal stages of conflict prevention, Mr. Ban stresses the need for the UN to make an increased effort to support and encourage their full participation in this area. To prevent crises from escalating into armed conflict, Mr. Ban calls on the Security Council to enhance its prevention capacity, including by dispatching timely missions to the field to assess situations on the ground. He also urges the Council to increase the use of its “Arria formula” meetings, whereby non-governmental actors can address the 15-member body outside official sessions, and to work to ensure the “creative and constructive” use of sanctions as a tool for preventing conflicts. Mr. Ban adds that it is only through political settlements that conflicts can be resolved. “If we do not deal with the root causes of conflict – and offer sustainable solutions – we will be left with humanitarian emergencies and peacekeeping operations without end.”

Back
www.ismaili.us

Asian Development Bank and Aga Khan Development Network Strengthen Partnership

2008-01-31T10:54:00.000+05:00

His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), today 30th January 2008 met with Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for discussions on joint collaboration between the ADB and AKDN. The meeting preceded the signing of an agreement aimed at expanding the partnership between the two institutions.
“A strengthened partnership between ADB and the Aga Khan Development Network provides an effective channel for supporting inclusive development in the region, especially for the benefit of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society,” said Mr. Kuroda.
The Aga Khan’s younger brother, Prince Amyn Aga Khan, who signed the agreement on the Aga Khan’s behalf, thanked the ADB for its long-standing cooperation and lauded the Bank’s efforts to adopt a new long-term strategy this year in the face of growing challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Prince Amyn Aga Khan expressed confidence that the agreement will enable an intensification of the collaboration between the two institutions, thereby helping to transform the lives of many.
He added that the agreement is “an expression of our shared commitment to ensure that marginalized and impoverished areas of South and Central Asia receive the attention and support needed to alleviate poverty and to create stability in cross border areas, by connecting isolated communities, developing markets, incomes, and employment, and fostering an enabling environment.”
The joint ADB/AKDN agreement stresses the need “to find ways to undertake investments to connect the poor to the opportunities of growth and to connect services to the poor emanating from national and regional growth benefits.”
The ADB and the AKDN collaborate across multiple sectors in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, and Pakistan. The agreement signed today reinforces the need for cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, economic development, and human capacity building. It expresses the joint commitment of both institutions to local and regional ownership of development policies and programmes, long-term approaches to sustainable development, and investments which connect the poor to growth opportunities. Amongst the new areas for potential partnership are investments in higher education, including with the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia.
Notes:
ADB, a major development institution in the Asia and Pacific region, seeks to foster economic growth, good governance, human resource development, and the reduction of poverty for the benefit of its developing member countries.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for social development is in excess of US$300million.

For more information please contact:

Jason RushMedia RelationsAsian Development BankTel: (632) 632-4444http://www.adb.org/
Aly NazeraliEuropean Representative and CEOAKDN3 Cromwell GardensLondon SW7 2HBTel: +442075916800E-mail: aly.nazerali@akdn.org

http://www.ismaili.us/

Holy Prophet Muhammad

2008-01-01T22:09:00.000+05:00

Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be upon him and his family)

The ancestry of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) is traced to Ishmael (Ismail) and Abraham (Ibrahim). The study of Jambur, Taurat, Inzil and Qur’an helps us to understand existing genealogy link between Jews, Christians and Arabs. It further helps us to understand and reconcile circumstances, historic developments, and much of the current world events in the light of the prophetic teachings of these divine books from heaven.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) represents an exhaustive embodiment of God’s Message that he communicated in order to deliver the human race from the swamp of darkness and polytheism to the paradise of peace, light and monotheism.

The Arabian Peninsula is enclosed in the west by the Red Sea and Sinai, in the east by the Arabian Gulf, in the south by the Arabian Sea, which is an extension of the Indian Ocean, and in the north by old Syria and part of Iraq. The area is estimated between a million and a million and a quarter square miles.

Thanks to its geographical position, the peninsula has always maintained great importance. Considering its internal setting, it is mostly deserts and sandy places, which has rendered it inaccessible to foreigners and invaders, and allowed its people complete liberty and independence.

Its external setting, on the other hand, caused it to be the centre of the old world and provided it with sea and land links with most nations at the time. Thanks to this strategic position the Arabian Peninsula had become the centre for trade, culture, religion and art.

The Arab kinfolks have been divided according to lineage into three groups:
Perishing Arabs: The ancient Arabs, of whose history little is known, and of who were ‘Ad, Thamûd, Tasam, Jadis, Emlaq, and others;
Qahtanian Arabs: Who originated from the progeny of Ya’rub bin Yashjub bin Qahtan;
Ishmael’s Arabs: Having originated from the progeny of Ishmael they are also known to have been being called Ishmaeliya or Ismailia Arabs. They go back in ancestry to their great grandfather Abraham or Ibrahim (peace be upon him and his family), the world’s first monotheist. Excavations from a town called "Ar" near Kufa on the west bank of the Euphrates in Iraq have brought to light great details of the town and Abraham’s family, and the prevalent religions and social circumstances. (Tafheem-ul-Qur'an, 1/553)

Ancestry of Holy Prophet
Historians trace the genealogy of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) from Ismail, the son of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him and his family). Ismail was born in 1910 B.C. and Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) in 571 CE. Therefore, the time elapsed between these two personages was almost 2480 years. During this period, there were seventy generations from Ismail to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). The most ancient and authentic of all the traditions of Arabia have been acknowledged without the least hesitation that the Ka’ba at Mecca had been constructed in 19th century BC by Abraham (peace be upon him and his family), who was assisted in his work by his son Ismail. At the time of its erection, the Ka’ba remained in possession of Ismail, after whose death his descendants became the supreme guardians of the sacred house. His descendants for the most part, migrated to different portions of the peninsula.

Ka‘ba, the structure and its immediate precincts in Mecca that also house a large mosque are referred to in the Qur’an and subsequently in Muslim tradition as the House of God (bayt Allah) and the sacred Mosque (masjid al har’am). The Ka‘ba is the point of orientation for Muslims when they pray, and it is also the focal point of the Pilgrimage (Hajj) as well as the umra (minor pilgrimage). The Hajj takes place over a fixed period in the prescribed month, whereas the umra may be undertaken at any other time.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) was forced to leave Mecca as a result of the opposition he encountered because of his preaching, and his claim to be the messenger of a new revelation. He migrated to Medina in 622 CE, but he subsequently negotiated to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca with his followers.

In 629 CE, Mecca submitted to him, and he was able to enter the town peacefully and purge the Ka‘ba of its idols, restoring it to its original role as the symbol of a monotheistic faith and affirming its place as the site of the Hajj, which became established as a major pilgrimage practice of the new faith of Islam. He also linked the Ka‘ba to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him and his family), who, with his son Ismail, is also believed to have established a place of worship there. According to Muslim tradition, it is also the location of the first ever place of worship. The formalised practices for the Hajj were also instituted by the Prophet, thereby linking the Ka‘ba to other nearby centres to constitute the totality of pilgrimage rituals. An irregular cube-like structure, the Ka‘ba itself measures approximately fifteen meters in height, ten meters in length and twelve meters in width. Its four corners are generally aligned with the four points of the compass. On one of the corners, set in a silver bezel, is the Black Stone (al hajar al aswad), which is believed to be of miraculous and ancient origin. Pilgrims customarily kiss or touch it, and they also begin the circling (tawaf) of the Ka‘ba during the pilgrimage from this point.

The Ka‘ba is generally covered with a black silk covering embroidered with Qur’anic verses, called a kiswa, which is replaced annually, a practice that originated during medieval Muslim history. It has one entrance and the interior is empty, but it is customarily cleansed and swept in a ritual that precedes the Hajj.

The maqam (station) of Abraham (peace be upon him and his family) is located just outside of the Ka‘ba. The Muslim tradition records, God instructed Abraham (peace be upon him and his family) to establish the Ka‘ba as a place of worship. In the vicinity, just east of the Ka‘ba, is also found the well of Zamzam, which carries forward the linkage with the Abrahamic traditions in which the well sprang forth by God’s grace in response to the fervent prayers of Ismail. Its water is now circulated through a modern system of pipes and made available to pilgrims as is ancient Muslim custom.

The symbolism and significance of the Ka‘ba are evoked in Muslim mystical tradition in which it plays a cosmic role as the center of the earth. Although the Ka‘ba serves as the qibla (direction for prayer), Muslims also traditionally bury the departed facing the Ka‘ba.

The Ka‘ba, situated in Mecca, is one of the most significant structures for Muslims. Throughout the world, it is the point of orientation for the daily ritual prayers of Muslims and is also the focal point of the Pilgrimage (hajj). According to Muslim tradition, it is also the location of the first ever place of worship.

Ishmael had twelve sons from the daughter of Mudad, whose names were Nabet, Qidar, Edbael, Mebsham, Mishma’, Duma, Micha, Hudud, Yetma, Yetour, Nafis and Qidman, and who ultimately formed twelve tribes inhabiting Makkah and trading between Yemen, geographical Syria and Egypt. Later on, these tribes spread all over, and even outside, the peninsula. All their tidings went into oblivion except for the descendants of Nabet and Qidar.

The Nabeteans – sons of Nabet – established a flourishing civilization in the north of Hijaz, they instituted a powerful government which spread out its domain over all neighbouring tribes, and made Petra their capital. Nobody dared challenge their authority until the Romans came and managed to eliminate their kingdom. After extensive research and painstaking investigation, Mr. Sulaiman An-Nadwi came to the conclusion that the Ghassanide kings, along with the Aws and Khazraj were not likely to be Qahtanians but rather Nabeteans. (Tareekh Ard Al-Qur'an 2/78-86)
The progeny of Qidar spread over the Arabian province of Hijaz. Again, it is agreed among the Arabs that Adnan, to whom Prophet Muhammad traced his descent, was also a scion of Ismail in about the fortieth generations. Further down, in the ninth descent from Adnan, there followed Nadzr bin Kinana. Another descent in the genealogical scale and then comes in the ninth place, one, Qassi by name. The supreme charge of the sacred Ka’ba then fell into the hands of Qassi in due course. Qassi established a consultative body, its meetings were held in the Ka’ba for decisions to be taken with regard to war, trade, tribal affairs etc. Qassi collected the scattered tribe, which gave him the title of Quraysh, the word is derived from taqreish means one who brings together to the clans. Qassi died probably in 480 CE, and from him the charge of the Ka’ba descended to his eldest son, Abdul, from whom the chief offices held by him were transferred to his brother, Abd Munaf.

The principal offices in connection with the Ka’ba were five altogether: Sicaya and Rifada, the exclusive privilege of supply water and food to the pilgrims; Kiyada, the command of the army in time of war; Siva, the right of becoming standard bearer; Hijaba, the guardianship of the Ka’ba, and, Nadwa, the right of presidency of the council. After the death of Abd Munaf, a family division arose among his sons, on which account the offices were divided in the following order: Hashim was invested with the charge of Sicaya and Rifada, while the descendants of Abdul retained the custody of the Ka’ba, the presidency of the council and the right of becoming standard bearer.

When Hashim was installed to the offices, he was proved a capable and generous. He married a girl from his own family and she gave birth to his son, Asad, who in due course became the maternal grandfather of Ali bin Abu Talib, as Asad's daughter, Fatima bint Asad was Ali's mother. Hashim's second marriage actualised with a girl of Banu Najjar being noble from both sides. She gave birth to a son, called Abdul Muttalib, who later rose to be a man of great nobility and fame. Hashim died in 510 CE, who left his dignities to his elder brother, Almutallib, after whom his nephew, Abdul Muttalib, the son of Hashim, succeeded to his paternal offices.

Birth
The Zamzam, which is a well at present in Ka’ba, was a small rill of water flowing from one of the neighbouring hills, it being the same fountain which Ismail had discovered in the desert and settled. After a time, however, the water ceased gushing from its mountain source, and the little stream completely dried up. A considerable time afterwards, Abdul Muttalib had a well dug on the very spot where the spring originally was in extant. Abdul Muttalib died in the height of his glory and left indelible marks of his greatness. Abdullah was one of the sons of Abdul Muttalib, who married to Amina bint Wahab. To this noble couple was born Muhammad, but before he was born his revered father died while on a journey.

Under the rocks of the Abu Kobeis, that rises eastward of Mecca over the narrow valley, stood the house of Amina, the birthplace of her only son. On the morning of Monday, 12th Rabbi ul Awal 52 years before ME, April 22, 571 CE, a grandson was born to Abdul Muttalib, who named him Muhammad (the extolled one).

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Allâh selected Ishmael from the sons of Abraham, Kinana from the sons of Ishmael, Quraish from the sons of Kinana, Hashim from the sons of Quraish and He selected me from the sons of Hashim." (Muslim 2/245; Tirmidhi 2/201)

John William Draper also writes in "History of the Intellectual Development of Europe" (London, 1875, 1st vol., p. 329) that, "Four years after the death of Justinian, 571 CE, was born at Mecca, in Arabia, the man who, of all men, has exercised the greatest influence upon the human race." According to "The Life of Mahomet" (London, 1930, p. 171) by Dermenghem, "Muhammad appeared on the scene at one of the darkest periods in all history, when all the civilizations, from Merovingian Gaul to India, were falling to ruin or were in a state of troubled gestation."

Early Childhood
Mecca, also known as Umm al-Qura (mother of towns), about forty miles from the Red Sea, lay in an arid valley, embosomed with torrid rocks. The air was heavy in Mecca and all about and around Mecca was desert, whose air was limpid. For this reason, it was a custom among the Arab gentry and nobility that the mother did not nurse their children. They would give their suckling infants into the charge of Bedouin women shortly after birth to suckle and nourish them. Abdul Muttalib assigned his grandson into the nursing care of Halima al-Sadiyyah, the daughter of Abu Dhuayb, belonging to the clan of Sa'd, near Mount Taif, situated to the east of Mecca. Having nurtured the little Muhammad for a period of five years, the nurse Halima gave him back to his mother, Amina, who also died after one year. Henceforward, Abdul Muttalib was both mother and father to the orphaned child. But this was not to be for long either. The elderly man died when Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) was eight. Abdul Muttalib had already entrusted the guardianship of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) to his son, Abu Talib (father of Aly), who discharged the trust kindly and faithfully. His care and affection for Muhammad (peace be upon him and family) equalled that of Abdul Muttalib. He made him rest and eat by his side, and go with him wherever he walked. Tor Andrae writes in "Mohammed the Man and his Faith" (London, 1936, p. 48) that, "It is said of Abu Talib that he loved Muhammad greatly. He would not sleep unless the lad was at his side, and he never cared to go out without him. He noticed also that a blessing accompanied the future prophet. When Muhammad was not present, Abu Talib's family could not eat." This tender treatment was continued until his nephew emerged from childhood. In the twelfth year of age, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) travelled with his uncle in a trade-caravan to Syria. It was during this journey that Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) is said to have met a Christian anchorite, called Bahira. On seeing the boy, Bahira could discern in his face, marks of the future greatness and he advised Abu Talib to take good care of him, for he would some day be the recipient of Divine Call.

Marriage
Khadija bint Khuwaylid, a high placed widow had acquired in pre-Islamic days, by her virtue the titles of Tahira (the virtuous) and Sayeda i Quraysh (the pure of the Quraysh), and hearing of the righteousness of Muhammad, entrusted to him the sole charge of her business. The personal attributes and moral grace in Muhammad attracted the attention and won the admiration of Khadija. So honestly Muhammad did transact the widow's trade that she caused a proposal of marriage, which met the approval of Abu Talib. Thus he married, at the age of twenty-five, to a widow, fifteen years older than him. Khadija gave birth to Fatima Zahra, Prophet’s daughter and only surviving child, later to be the wife of Aly.

Beginning of the Revelation
After his marriage, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) would frequently take a provision of dates and cat meal for food and retire for days into a cave he had found at the top of a cone-shaped mountain, called Hira, some three miles from Mecca. He used to spend night after night in that solitary cave far away from all the worldly turmoil. Many traditions concerning his temperament recall that his character was reflective of the shared impulses and that he was receptive to spiritual experience. Muhammad prayed ardently, opening his whole heart to his Creator his soul longed to meet. He became so fully absorbed in the ecstacy of his devotion that he would remain for days in the mountain cavern. Often his beloved wife brought him food.

This went on for a considerable length of time, till at last, in his fortieth year, a great unseen was revealed to him. The light of God was fully reflected in Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). He had reached the stage of self-elevation when duality becomes non-existent and only eternity remains.

The earliest sources relate that the moon on that day of the eve of Ramadan enwrapped Hira. The birds were still in their nests and not a sound or movement disturbed this heavy quiet. It was though as everything was pegged to its place and nothing existed save the heavens and the earth. A few roaming shepherds had seen Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) go there. Now there was no one else, only the sky and the earth and the crescent moon between them, rising sometimes aloft and sinking to the edge of the horizon. Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) came home from Hira on that morning, strangely engrossed, his great eyes dilated in wonder. After a while, he spoke thus to wife Khadija, "A strange vision appeared to me in the cave of Hira tonight. The vision said, `I am the angel Gabriel, sent by God.' Then he asked me to read. `I am unlettered', I said. Upon this he clasped me to his bosom and held me firmly. Then he let me go and asked me to read. I gave the same answer. He clasped me once again, and asked once again to read. And embracing me the third time, he chanted, `Read! In the name of thy Lord, Who created; He created man from a clot. Read: And thy Lord is the most bounteous, who teacheth by the pen, teacheth man that which he knew not.’

“Suddenly the words came alive to me." Khadija was worried at first, but soon regained her composure and comforted him. "Fear not, my noble one", she said, "but rejoice. God will not forsake you in this affair nor expose you to shame. For you are good and kind and truthful. You are hospitable to the passing stranger; you aid and comfort the poor and the lonely, and support the virtuous in righteous deeds."

This night in the holy month of Ramadan when Qur’an is believed to have been first sent from one of the reserved heavens (Lo’h Mahfuz) to earth, has come to stay with the Muslims as Lailtul Qad’r (the night of blessings and dignity). This night is blessed and auspicious and to describe the importance of this night God has devoted a special verse in Qur’an: “Lailtul Qad’r is better than a thousand months.” (97:3)

Waraqa bin Naufal was Khadija's cousin. Weary of idolatry was on the look-out for a true faith and had at length embraced Christianity. Probably Khadija had heard him talk of the appearance of the promised Prophet, the Comforter whose advent had been foretold by Jesus Christ. As soon as she found Muhammad called to that office, she took him to her cousin, out of sympathy, of course, for the latter who had lost his eyesight and was unable to move. No sooner did Waraqa hear what inspiration Muhammad had received and how, then he spontaneously exclaimed: "This is the very angel Gabriel that God sent down to Moses." Hence, the foremost to profess faith in the truth of Muhammad's mission was his wife Khadija.

Edith Holland writes in "The Story of Mohammed" (London, 1914, p. 18) that, "It was in the desert that Abraham, journeying by the guidance of the stars, came to the knowledge of all-powerful God, far above the vain idols of man's imaginings. Moses, during his long sojourn in the wilderness, never doubted the near presence of a mighty God, a sure help in time of trouble. In later years the Prophet of Arabia, wandering among the barren hills of his native lands, saw in the wonders of nature sure signs of the greatness of the Creator, and there came upon him the conviction that "God is One, the Eternal", that there is none like unto Him."

Cessation of revelation
After the first revelation, Gabriel did not visit Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) for some time. This is known as the period of ‘fatrat al-wahy’ or the cessation of revelation.

At length, there came an end to the period of cessation. To Muhammad, the period looked unusually long; for it was a period of separation from one he loved with all his heart. The number of Muslims continued to grow and the conversion of some prominent men from among the Quraysh added to the strength of the small brotherhood. At the outset, the opposition of the Meccans to the message of Islam took the form of sneering and jeering at Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). They did not attach much importance to the mission, thinking that it would die out in due course. It was treated with contempt and indifference, unworthy of any serious attention.

First three years, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) kept his missionary activities on a low profile. This period of Muhammad's (peace be upon him and his family) life is one of the noblest and greatest pages of human history. To those who did harm him, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) prayed for guidance, for liberation from the yoke of vile paganism. The more they persecuted, the more patience and resolve Muhammad showed in his mission. One must not forget the deep rooted faith of the small number of Muslims at a time when the new religion was not even complete and the Holy Qur’an was not yet fully revealed.

In the fourth year, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) received a divine command to preach his mission to the public. In compliance, he invited his kinsmen to a ceremony (majlis) exclusively arranged for them.

At the ceremony (majlis) Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) addressed the participants: "Friends and Kinsmen! I hereby declare that I have brought unto you a blessing in this world and in the world to come. I do not think there could be anyone else throughout the whole of Arabia, to come out with a better and more precious offer towards this nation than that of mine. I am commanded by my Lord to invite you all towards Him. Tell me! Who amongst you will come forward to help me and to be my vicegerent? The spell of hush prevailing over the audience was broken by impatient courage of Aly, son of Hazrat Abu Talib, cousin of Muhammad who responded with enthusiasm and said, "O Prophet of God! I am the youngest of all here, yet I offer myself to stand by you and to share all your burdens and have the great privilege of being your vicegerent." Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) caused Aly to sit down. Again he put the question to the assemblage. All remained silent but Aly rose for a second time to repeat his fidelity, and was again ordered to sit down. When Muhammad repeated the same question to the congregation the third time and got no response, Aly again stood up and repeated his fidelity upon which Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) remarked, "You are my brother, my collateral and vicegerent."

Miraj: The night journey
A night journey (isra) (Qur’an 17:1), in the life of Prophet Muhammad when the Holy Prophet is taken up through the seven heavens to the divine throne, the Miraj description is elaborated in the Hadith and Sira (The accounts of Muhammad), and collated with the key passages on Muhammad’s reception of the divine word (Qur’an 53, 94, 99). Muhammad is taken on a night journey from the precinct of the bayt al-har’am (the sacred house, Kaba) to the bayt al-muqaddas (the house of sanctity). From there he is taken up through the seven heavens and is greeted by, and in effect validated by, the previous prophets who now occupy those heavens (Adam, Noah, Aaron, Moses, Abraham, and Jesus). At the culmination he sees the lote tree of the furthest boundary, the divine throne (arsh), the “house of life” (al-bayt al-mamur – the celestial counterpart to the Kaba), and receives the divinely ordained prayers for his community.

Ghadir I Khumm Sermon: Succession to the Authority and legacy of Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) while returning with his 110,000 followers from his last pilgrimage known in history as ‘Hajjat ul Wida’ on the 18th of Zil Hajj, 8 ME in 632 CE, three months before his demise, announced that he had received an important revelation from Allah, and made a halt at the place called Ghadir Khumm to give his last sermon (Khutba i Ghadir).

The Holy Prophet began his sermon thus:
In the name of Allah, the most Benificient, the most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah who is sublime in his authority, magnanimous in his dominance. He knows everything. He is praised always and forever glorified and has no end. He begins and he repeats, and to him every matter is referred.
Allah is the creator of everything. He maintains with his power the earth and the heavens. He is holy and praised, the Lord of the angels and of the spirits. He is generous, clement, and patient. His mercy encompasses everything, dominates everything, and subdues everything. Nothing is like him. He initiates the creation from nothing; He is everlasting, living, sustaining in the truth; there is no God but He, the Omnipotent, the Wise One.
I testify that he is Allah, the one whose light overwhelms eternity. He affects his will without consulting anyone; there is no partner with him in his decisions. He shaped what he made without following a pre-existing model, and he created all without receiving help from anyone, and doing so neither exhausted him nor frustrated his designs. He said ‘be created’ and so it was, and he initiated, and it became visible. So he is Allah, the one and only God, the one who does whatever he does extremely well. He is the just one who never oppresses. He is the most holy to whom all affairs are referred.
I further testify that Allah places planets in their orbit. He controls the movements of the sun and of the moon, each circle till a certain time. He makes the night follow the day and the day follows the night, seeking it incessantly.
He is independent and none can ever be his equal. He is One God, the glorified Lord. His word is the law. He knows, so he takes account. He causes death and gives life. He withholds and he gives. The domain belongs to him and so does all the praise. In his hand is all goodness.
I testify that I am his servant, and I bear witness that he is my lord. I convey what he reveals to me. He has informed me that if I do not convey what He has just revealed to me in honor of Aly in truth, I will not have conveyed His Message at all, and He, the praised and the exalted one, has guaranteed me to protect me from the (evil) people, and he is Allah, the one who suffices the sublime. He has just revealed to me the following (verse):
O Prophet! Convey what has (just) been revealed to you (with regard to Aly), and if you do not do so, you will not have conveyed His Message at all, and Allah shall protect you from (evil) people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people. (Qur'an, 5:67)
Three times did Gabriel command me on behalf of the peace, my Lord, who is the source of all peace, to thus make a stand in order to inform everyone, black and white, that: Aly ibn Abu Talib is my brother, Wasi, and successor over my nation and the Imam after me, the one whose status to me is like that of Aaron to Moses except there will be no prophet after me, and he is your master next only to Allah and to His Messenger, and Allah has already revealed to me the same in one of the fixed verses of his book saying, "Your Master is Allah and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayers and pay zakat even as they bow down" (Qur'an, 5:55), and, Aly ibn Abu Talib is the one who keeps up prayers, who pays zakat even as he bows down, seeking to please Allah, the sublime on each and every occasion.
Allah insisted that I should convey what he has just revealed to me in honor of Aly.
Muslims! Comprehend (the implications of) what I have just said, and again do comprehend it, and be (further) informed that Allah has installed him (Aly) as your Imam, obligating the muhajirin and the ansar and those who follow them in goodness to obey him, and so must everyone who lives in the desert or in the city, who is a non-Arab or an Arab, who is a free man or a slave, who is young or old, white or black, and so should everyone who believes in His Unity. His decree shall be carried out. His (Aly's) word is binding; his command is obligating; blessed with mercy is whoever follows him and believes in him, for Allah has already forgiven whoever listens to and obeys him.
This is the last stand I make in such a situation; so, listen and obey, and submit to the command of Allah, your Lord, for Allah, the exalted and the sublime one, is your Master and Lord, next to him is me his Messenger and Prophet and after me Aly is your Imam according to the command of Allah, your Lord, and after Aly, the lmams from among my progeny, the offspring from his loin till the day you meet Allah and His Messenger.
Prefer him (Aly) over all others! There is no knowledge except that Allah has divulged it to me, and all the knowledge I have learned I have divulged to Aly, and there is no knowledge (that I know) except that I divulged it to Aly, and he is ‘Imam i Mubin’ (the manifest Imam) whom Allah mentions in Sura Yasin: "and everything we have computed is vested in (the knowledge of) the manifest Imam"
Muslims! Do not abandon him. He is the one who guides to righteousness and who acts according to it. He is the first to believe in Allah and in His Messenger; none preceded him as such. And he is the one who offered his life as a sacrifice for the Messenger of Allah and who was in the company of the Messenger of Allah while no other man was. He is the first to offer prayers and the first to worship Allah with me.
Prefer him (over all others), for Allah has preferred him, and accept him, for Allah has appointed him (as your Imam). He is the Imam appointed by Allah.
Muslims! All past prophets and messengers conveyed the glad tiding of my advent, and I, by Allah, am the seal of the prophets.
Prefer Aly (over all others), for he is the very best of all people after me, males or females, so long as Allah sends down his sustenance, so long as there are beings. He (Aly) is janb-Allah mentioned in the book of Allah, the sublime one.
Muslims! Study the Qur'an and comprehend its verses, look into its fixed verses and do not follow what is similar thereof, for by Allah, none shall explain to you what it forbids you from doing, nor clarify its exegesis, other than the one whose hand I am taking and whom I am lifting to me, so that I may enable you to understand that: whoever among you takes me as his master, this, Aly is his master, and he is Aly ibn Abu Talib, my brother and Wasi, and his appointment as your Imam is from Allah, the sublime, the exalted one, a commandment which he revealed to me.
Muslims! Aly and the good ones from among my offspring from his loin are as good the weight as the Qur’an and each one of them informs you of and agrees with the other. They shall never part till they meet me at the Pool (of Kawthar). They are the trustees of Allah over his creation, the rulers on his earth.
Indeed now I have performed my duty and conveyed the ‘message’. Indeed you have heard what I have said and explained. Indeed Allah, the exalted one and the sublime, has said, and so have I on behalf of Allah, the exalted one and the sublime, that there is no Ameerul Mu'mineen (Commander of the Faithful) save this brother of mine; no authority over a believer is permissible after me except to him.
Then the Prophet patted Aly's arm, lifting him up on the same level of the pulpit where he was seated. The Prophet then raised his hands to the heavens in supplication.
The Prophet continued his sermon thus:
Muslims! This is Aly my brother, Wasi (the successor), the one who comprehends my knowledge, my successor over my nation, over everyone who believes in me. He is the one entrusted with explaining the Book of Allah, and the one who invites people to his path. He is Ameerul Mu'mineen, the successor of the Messenger of Allah, the man assigned by Allah to guide. Allah says, "My word shall not be changed, nor am I in the least unjust to the servants" (Qur'an, 50.29), and by Your Command, O Lord, do I (submit and) say, O Allah! Befriend whoever befriends him (Aly) and support whoever supports him and abandon whoever abandons him.
Muslims! Here is Aly, the one who has supported me more than anyone else among you, the one who most deserves my gratitude, the one who is closest of all of you to me and the one who is the very dearest to me.
He is the one who supports the religion of Allah, who argues on behalf of the Messenger of Allah. He is the pious, the pure, and the guide.
Each prophet's progeny is from his own loin whereas mine is from the loin of Aly, the Ameerul Mu’mineen. I have sought Allah to be my witness and have conveyed his ‘message’ to you, and the Messenger is obligated only to clearly convey (his message).
The NUR from Allah, the exalted one and the sublime, flows through me, then through Aly ibn Abu Talib, and then through the progeny to descend from him.
I warn you that I am the Messenger of Allah; Aly is surely the one described with perseverance and gratitude, then after him are my offspring from his loin.
I am calling for it to be an Imamat and a succession confined to my offspring through Aly till the Day of Judgment, and I have conveyed only what I have been commanded (by my Lord) to convey to everyone present or absent and everyone who has witnessed or who has not, who is already born or is yet to be born; therefore, let those present here convey it to those who are absent, and let the parents convey it to their children, and so on till the Day of Judgment.
Muslims! You should listen to the orders of Aly so that you may be safe, and you should obey him so that you may be rightly guided. Do not do what he forbids you from doing so that you may acquire wisdom. Agree with him, and do not let your paths be different from his. I am Sirat al-Mustaqim (the Straight Path) of Allah whom he commanded you to follow, and after me it is Aly then my offspring from his loin, the Imams of Guidance, they guide to the truth and act accordingly.
I had, indeed, sworn allegiance to Allah, and Aly had sworn allegiance to me, and I on behalf of Allah, the Exalted One and the Sublime require you to swear the oath of allegiance to him: "Surely those who swear (the oath of) allegiance to you do but swear allegiance to Allah; the hand of Allah is above their hands; therefore, whoever reneges (from his oath), he reneges only to the injury of his own soul, and whoever fulfills his covenant with Allah, he will grant him a mighty reward" (Qur'an,48:10).
He is the one whom Allah, the exalted and the sublime, appointed for you after me as the custodian of his creation. He is from me and I am from him, and he and those who will succeed him from my progeny shall inform you of anything you ask them about, and they shall clarify whatever you do not know.
I was ordered (by my Lord) to take your oath of allegiance and to make a covenant with you to accept what I brought you from Allah, the exalted one and the sublime, with regard to Aly Ameerul Mu'mineen and to the wasis after him who are from me (from his loin), a standing Imamat whose seal is till the Day he meets Allah who decrees and who judges.
I never refrained from informing you of everything permissible or prohibitive; so, do remember this and safeguard it and advise each other to do likewise; do not alter it; do not substitute it with something else.
I am now repeating what I have already said: Uphold the prayers and pay the zakat and enjoin righteousness and forbid abomination.
The peak of enjoining righteousness is to resort to my speech and to convey it to whoever did not attend it and to order him on my behalf to accept it and to (likewise) order him not to violate it, for it is an order from Allah, the exalted and the sublime, and there is no knowledge of enjoining righteousness nor prohibiting abomination except that it is with Imam.
The Qur'an informs you that the Imams after him are his (Aly's) descendants, and I have already informed you that they are from me and from him, for Allah says in his book, " And he made it a word to continue in his posterity so that they may return " (Qur'an, 43:28) while I have said: "You shall not stray as long as you uphold both of them (simultaneously)."
You are more numerous than (it is practical) to shake hands with me all at the same time, and Allah, the exalted and the sublime, commanded me to require you to confirm what authority I have vested upon Aly Ameerul Mu'mineen and to whoever succeeds him of the Imams from me and from him, since I have just informed you that my offspring are from his loin.
You, therefore say in one voice: "We accept and we are bound by what you have conveyed to us from our Lord and yours with regard to our Imam Aly Ameerul Mu'mineen, and to the Imams, your sons from his loin. We swear the oath of allegiance to you in this regard with our hearts, with our souls, with our tongues, with our hands. According to it shall we live, and according to it shall we die, and according to it shall we be resurrected. We shall not alter anything or substitute anything with another, nor shall we doubt nor deny nor suspect, nor shall we violate our covenant nor abrogate the pledge.
Again, say what I have just said to you, and greet Aly with the title of "Ameerul Mu'mineen" and say: "We hear, and we obey, O Lord! Your forgiveness (do we seek), and to you is the eventual course" (Qur'an, 2:285), and say: "All praise is due to Allah who guided us to this, and we would not have found the way had it not been for Allah who guided us" (Qur'an, 7:43).
O Lord! Forgive the believers through what I have conveyed.
O Lord! You revealed a verse in honor of Aly and in its explanation and to effect your own appointment of him this very day did you say, "Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed my blessings upon you, and I have approved Islam for your religion." (Qur'an, 5:3)

Companionship on High: Continuity of Nur (the light)
Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) was seriously taken ill for several days. At noon on Monday, 12th Rabi ul Awal 8, 11 June, 632, whilst praying earnestly in whisper, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) took to the "blessed companionship on high." His life was sanctified from first to last to the service of God and humanity.

Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) brought a message which taught man to worship and obey God only, and seek help from Him alone. His message of universal brotherhood covers all the aspects of human life, including peace and tolerance, rights and justice, knowledge and freedom, gender equity, interfaith harmony and philanthropy. Edward Gibbon writes in "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" (London, 1848)

At the time when Holy Prophet breathed his last, Aly was with him at the bed side. Aly performed and honored the final rites. Aly buried him in the grave dug out in the room.

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) left behind him two weighty things, Qur’an and the rope of Allah – the Imamat of Aly - the inheritor of the Prophet's authority, and the trustee of his legacy for the believers to follow jointly till the day of resurrection.

References
Holy Quran 2:164; 3:190-191; 30:22; 51:20-21.
Holy Quran 2:143; 2: 256; 109:2-7; 16:125; 49:13; 107:1-7; 42:40, 43.
Tabari (d. 310/922) in "Tarikh al-Rusul wa'l Muluk" (ed. de Goeje, Leiden, 1879-1901, 2nd vol., p. 63) and Ibn Sa'd (d. 230/845) in "Kitab at-Tabaqat" (ed. E. Sachau, Leiden, 1905, 1st vol., p. 171)
Jalaal ad-Deen al-Sayyuti, Kitaab Al-Itqaan, Vol. 1, p. 31.
Al-Majlisi, Bihaar.al-Anwaar, Vol. 21, pp. 360-90, Vol. 37, pp. 111-235, and Vol. 41, p. 228.He Quotes book alby al-Tibrisi (vol.2)
Al-Bldaaya wal Nihaaya, Vol. 5, p. 208. Badee' al-Ma'aani, p. 75
Tareekh Baghdad, V01. 1, p. 411 and V01. 8, p. 290.
Tareekh Dimashq, Vol. 5, p. 210.
Ibn al-Jawziyya, Tadh'kirat al-Khawaas, pp. 18-20.
Ibn al-Sa'ud's Tafseer, Vol. 8, p. 292.
Al-Tibari, Tafseer al-Qur'an, Vol. 3, p. 428 and Vol. 6, p. 46.
Al-Fakhr al-Razi, Al-Tafseer al-Kabeer, Vol. 3, p. 636.
Al-Tamhid fi USool al-Deen, p. 171.
Tayseer al-Wusul, Vol. 1, p. 122.
Ghiyaath ad-Din ibn Hammaam, Tareekh Habib al-Siyar, V01. 1, p. 144.
Al-Maqrizi, Khutat, p. 223.
Al-Sayyuti, Al-Durr al-Manthur, Vol. 2, pp. 259, 298.
Thakhaa'ir al-'Uqba, p. 68.
Ruh al-Ma'aani, Vol. 2, p. 348.
Mohibb al-Tabal-;, AI.Riyadh al-r:adhirah, Vol. 2, p.169.
Al-Siraaj al-Munir, Vol. 4, p. 364.
Al-Hakim, Al-Seera al-Halabiyya, Vol. 3, p. 302.
Shar'h al-Mawaahib, V01. 7, p. 13.
Ibn Hajar al-' Asqalaani, Al-Sawaa'iq al-Muhriqa, p. 26.
Ibn al-Badriq, Al-'Umda, p. 52.
Badr ad-Deen, 'Umdat al-Qari fi Shar'h al-Bukhari, V01. 8, p. 584.
Al-Ghadeer, V01. 2, p. 57.
Sharafud-Deen al-Musawi, AI-Fusul al-Muhimma, pp. 25-27.
Fadha 'il al-Sahaaba, p. 272.
Faydh al-Ghadeer, V01. 6, p. 218.
Kashf al-Ghumma, p. 94.
Kifaayat al- Taalib, pp. 17, 28.
Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-'Ummaal, Vol. 6, p. 397.
Imam Ibn Hanbal, Mus'nad, V01. 4, p. 281.
Mishkaat al-Masabeeh, p. 272.
Mushkil al-aathaar, Vol. 3, p. 196.
Mataalib al-Su'ul, p. 16.
Muftah al-Najaat, p. 216.
Al-Shahristaani, AI-Milal wal Nihal, V 01. 1, p. 220.
Al-Khawarizmi, Manaaqib, pp. 80, 94.
Ibn al-Maghaazli, Manaaqib, p. 232.
Al-Qastalani, Al-Mawaahib, Vol. 2, p. 13.
Al-Samhudi, Wafaa' al-Wafaa', Vol. 2, p. 173.
Al-Qanduzi, Yanabi al-Mawadda, p. 120.
Early Muslim Spirituality and Mysticism by Sells, Michael. In Muslim Almanac, Gale Group.
Nanji Azim, Ka’ba, Medieval Islamic Civilization An Encyclopaedia, 2006.
Bianchi. Robert. Events of God: Pilgrimage and politics in Islamic World. Oxford. UK: Oxford University Press 2004.
Kamal Ahmed. The Sacred Journey: The Pilgrimage to Mecca. New York: Duell, Sloan and Pierce, 1961.

People of Pakistan Endorse Confidence In The Leadeship of President Musharraf

2008-01-01T15:05:00.000+05:00

And as Pakistan is going through anxious moments, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program have endorsed full confidence in the leadership of Excellency President Musharraf. We believe President Musharraf has been historically delivering his best, both for Pakistan and world community so to speak about civil society and democracy, women emancipation and good governance, theological and political consensus, freedom of expression and media support, independence of judiciary, indigenous rule of people and global peace.

http://ismaili.us/

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program have endorsed Hillary for President

2007-12-19T15:25:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program have endorsed Hillary. We believe Hillary Rodham Clinton can create history for both America and our common humanity, so to speak about civil society and democracy, women emancipation and good governance, development and global peace.

It's one thing to have good intentions, another thing altogether to change the reality of people's lives. Hillary has been changing people's lives for as long as I've known her. She did it in Arkansas when she made major improvements to our schools. She did it in the aftermath of September 11, when she helped first responders get the medical care they needed. She's done it in the U.S. Senate, where she has worked to make sure we fulfill our promises to our troops, veterans, and their families.

She has never let setbacks stop her. When our health care reforms didn't pass in the 90's, she rolled up her sleeves and got right back to work on the Children's Health Insurance Program, which insures six million kids in America today.That's Hillary, the best combination of heart and mind, of leadership ability and feel for the problems of other people I've ever known.

Hillary is also our best candidate for one reason: because she would make the best president. She's got great plans for universal health care, good jobs, access to college, ending the war in Iraq, and restoring America's position in the world; and she's been tested in the kind of campaign they always run.

Now Hillary needs your help as 2007 comes to a close. Hillary needs her supporters to make it over the top. Will you make a contribution for Hillary today? Make a contribution and help Hillary today. You know, even if I weren't an American I would still be enthusiastically supporting her. Her experience, her compassion, her philanthropy, and her great ideas for the future make her the right candidate. It's time for a new beginning, led by someone who has spent her life making a difference for others. America is ready to change.If you want to know the kind of changes she'll make for you, you only have to look at what she's already accomplished for the humanity and America for 35 years. Let's help Hillary show her strength at this critical moment, please help put our campaign over the top. Contribute today to help Hillary show her strength. Thank you so much for all you do to help Hillary, so she can do what she does best: get to work and help America and our common humanity. The Hillary I Know.

Anwar Ali Merchant

For and on behalf of
Fatimid Heritage Foundation
Geneva Peace Development Centre
Mountain Girls Education Development Program

http://www.ismaili.us/

His Highness Aga Khan at the Annual Conference of German Ambassadors, Berlin, September 6,2004

2007-12-18T20:50:00.000+05:00

Address by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Annual Conference of German Ambassadors, Berlin, September 6, 2004

Foreign Minister Fischer, Distinguished Ministers, Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Honourable Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an honour to address men and women of eminence with great knowledge and insight about the state of the world. You can and do have the ability to shape its future direction for the better.
I will talk to you today about an issue that has been a critical focus for most of my working life: the process of social, cultural and economic development in many of the poorest regions of the world. In particular, I will attempt to go some way toward answering this fundamental question: what are the preconditions for developing countries to be transformed into peaceful and productive modern societies?
As I look at escalating tensions in the world, particularly the horrific events of recent days, I am convinced more than ever that neither “peaceful” nor “productive” modern societies will ever be achieved by short term responses composed in the midst of crisis. What I will propose to you today is that there are fundamental issues that must be addressed persistently, and over the long term, if we are to achieve the desired outcomes.
My views are presented from two perspectives. First, as the hereditary spiritual leader – Imam – of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. Like the Muslim Ummah as a whole, the Ismailis are culturally diverse. They are settled across the globe as minorities in more than twenty-five countries. There are Ismaili communities in South and Central Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. In recent decades Ismailis have also established a substantial presence in Western Europe and North America through migration.
The second perspective is that of someone who has been engaged in human and economic development in many of the most fragile regions of the world for more than 45 years and whose roots and institutional commitments are there.The engagement of the Imamat in development is guided by the ethics of Islam which bridge faith and society, a premise on which I established the Aga Khan Development Network, known as the AKDN. Its cultural social and economic development agencies seek to improve opportunities and living conditions of the weakest in society, without regard to their origin, gender or faith. We work with many partners, including scores of national and international agencies.
Several of my observations today apply to developing countries generally. But our greatest depth of experience is in countries with substantial or majority Muslim populations. Therefore my comments will make particular reference to matters as they affect the Muslim world, including Africa, Asia and the Near and Middle East.
I will begin by quoting from Minister Fischer’s remarks to the 40th Munich Conference on Security Policy this past February. He noted that efforts to foster peace and security must go far beyond security matters alone. He said, and I quote: “social and cultural modernisation issues, as well as democracy, the rule of law, women’s rights and good governance, are of almost even greater importance.”
Minister Fischer was referring specifically to dealing with the issue of terrorism. I certainly agree with his point about that. I also believe the issues he raises are of broad and permanent concern to the developing world. Even in parts of the developing world where terrorism is not an issue, improving the quality of life is critically dependent upon advances in the areas he identified.
I would like to focus today on what I believe are three essential pre-conditions for the successful transition of the poorest areas of the world into modern, peaceful societies. They are:
• First, stable and competent democratic governance; • Second, an environment that respects and encourages pluralism; • And third, a diverse and engaged civil society.
In my view, these must be critical components of any global development policy. Not only are they mutually reinforcing, they also permit developing societies to gradually become masters of the process and to make that process ultimately sustainable.
I believe we must work in each of these areas simultaneously. But we should not expect to make progress in each one at an equal pace. Nor should we plan for them to occur in sequence. We must also anticipate and plan for setbacks and failures. This requires a multilateral deployment of resources for capacity building. Otherwise, millions suffer while we await perfection.
Let us look first at democracy.
In the 1990s, the term “failed state” gained currency to describe the situation in places like Afghanistan and Bosnia or Liberia and Somalia. Today, such descriptions simply divert attention from the real issues. For, apart from Weapons of Mass Destruction, HIV/AIDS or climate change, the greatest global threat today is not failed states – states themselves do not fail – but the failure of democracy in nearly forty per cent of UN member-nations. These failures cross much of the Muslim world, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa.
In my visits to African countries such as Mali and Uganda, to Middle East countries such as Syria and to Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, leaders in all levels of society have expressed to me their deep concern and frustration about the failure of democracy and its consequent inability to put governments in authority that can meet the expectations of the people. They would welcome assistance supporting education about democracy.
Unfortunately today, in more and more developing countries where there is a tradition of legislative elections, we are witnessing a splintering of national political parties into factions, based around narrow interests. Coalition governments are being cobbled together by leaders with little experience in managing multiple factions.
We only need to look at the recent history of Western Europe to understand the difficulty such coalition governments may face in delivering effective, democratic governance. For many years, the lifespan of governments in some countries was measured in months. Building consensus for corrective constitutional changes, and implementing them, was equally challenging,
What logic is there to think, therefore, that an African government suddenly having to manage a fractious coalition after years of single-party majorities will be able to address this issue maturely? If it cannot, how will it meet the expectations of its people for a better life?
The point is this: democracy is fragile. It is susceptible to failure at any time, in any society. The experience of Europe in the last fifty years should also be a sobering reminder of another unfortunate truism. Elections and the existence of political parties do not by themselves guarantee stable governments, competent political leadership and respect for the constitution. Nor do they guarantee good economic management and the absence of corruption.
If this has been the experience in the birthplace of modern democracy, I must urge you to be patiently supportive of democratic experiments in the Middle East and in the wider developing world.
Sometimes I read that Islam is in conflict with democracy. Yet I must tell you that as a Muslim, I am a democrat not because of Greek or French thought, but primarily because of principles that go back 1400 years, directly after the death of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).
At that time, Muslims debated how best to implement the premises he had established for being qualified for leadership. The principle of wide public consultation for selecting leadership for matters relating to affairs of state and civil administration was adopted by groups that coalesced into the Sunni branch. The parallel principle of hereditary leadership was preserved among the Shia. Muslims of the time also established that leadership in social governance was to be selected on the basis of merit and competence. These principles, cemented 14 centuries ago, are consistent with democratic models that exist around the world today.
A quick analysis of the map of the Near and Middle East shows the strong probability that numerous forms of democratic government are likely to be tested in the coming decades. Some states will test republican democracy, others will test constitutional monarchy, and yet others will test various forms of theocratic government.
It is impossible to predict the outcomes or the pace of change. What we can predict with some certainty is that the kaleidoscope of changing patterns will be driven by internal forces, as has already been illustrated in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Personally, I do not see how it could be otherwise, given the multiplicity of stakeholders and the absolute necessity that all must be consulted if consensus is to be achieved and maintained.
Therefore, I strongly believe these indigenous elements must be nurtured and supported. We must ensure they have a solid grasp of the elements that sustain, or weaken democracy, and its institutions.
Any development strategy, therefore, must include education and support for developing a wider understanding of the institutions and processes of constitutional democracy.
Formal education, beginning at the secondary school level, can play a part. But so too can such programmes as exchanges of working groups of parliamentarians, legislative officers, senior government officials, and the panoply of civil society participants, including journalists, educators and lawyers. We must seek to build breadth and depth of understanding of the culture of democracy, both in theory and in application.
Let me turn now to the issue of pluralism.
We have all witnessed how inattention to, or worse, the rejection of pluralism, has bred destructive conflicts across the globe affecting a great many cultures, races, nationalities and religions. Sadly, these insights have been dramatically verified by events in such varied situations as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They underline how fundamental it is in the developing world for democracy to be built around an absolute priority to manage and legitimise pluralism.
Pluralist societies do not happen by themselves as accidents of history. They are a product of enlightened education and continuous investment by government and all forces of civil society in developing value and recognition for one of humanity’s greatest assets: the diversity of its peoples.
Is it not, therefore, the responsibility of enlightened leadership everywhere to ensure that pluralism, and education about pluralism, occupy the centre stage in any agenda of global priorities?
And yet school curricula in Western and developing countries rarely give young people a sound understanding of their own cultures let alone the diverse religious, linguistic, social and artistic forces of communities around them. These perceptions have led the AKDN’s primary and secondary schools, and particularly its new network of academic centres of excellence – the Aga Khan Academies – to experiment with education curricula that make the case for a pluralist worldview.
It is one that builds on differences of outlook, ethnicity, religion and culture. This initiative will benefit from collaboration with some of the leading international schools, including Salem in Germany, who are working with us in an International Academic Partnership.
It is my profound belief that the Judeo-Christian world will find it a hopeless endeavour to try to address the issues of democracy, civil society and pluralism in the Muslim world unless a major effort – and I mean an absolutely major effort – is made by the Judeo-Christian world to acquire deeper and wider knowledge about Muslim civilisations. This is a first step toward building dialogue and understanding.
The effort I am describing will have to be systematic and extended over many decades to be successful. It must reach a wide spectrum of students in secondary schools and not be restricted to the specialised knowledge of higher education as it is today.
In this regard, I applaud the initiative the German Government has made in introducing material about Islam into the public education curriculum. As a Muslim, I accept that such a truly comprehensive effort is likely to cause unwelcoming reactions from a large number of forces in the Judeo-Christian world.
Relations between this world and the world of Islam historically have been conditioned by inter-faith attitudes. They were vividly and brutally illustrated at the time of the Crusades. Then, the issues were focused upon which faith was best placed to redeem the individual soul. Proselytisation was probably the single most powerful driving force.
In recent decades, inter-faith dialogue has been occurring in numerous countries. Unfortunately, every time the word “faith” is used in such a context, there is an inherent supposition that lurking at the side is the issue of proselytisation. But faith, after all, is only one aspect of human society.
Therefore, we must approach this issue today within the dimension of civilisations learning about each other, and speaking to each other, and not exclusively through the more narrow focus of inter-faith dialectic.Such an approach would also be immensely beneficial to the Muslim world. It would result in its much greater emphasis on learning about the pluralism and richness of its own history, and about the diversity of the countries, cultures, religious institutions and interpretations of Islam. Learning must not be restricted, as it often is, to matters of theology.
Today, theological interpretation and proselytisation continue to divide among Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant interpretations in the Christian world as it does in the Islamic world between Sunni and Shia and their various sub-divisions.
I would hope to see the day when the definition of an educated person in Judaeo-Christian culture would include an intelligent understanding of the Muslim world.
That person would appreciate the eminent position of Islamic civilisations in human thought and knowledge. That would include an understanding of their tradition of research and achievements, from philosophy and the arts, to the sciences, architecture and engineering. The current void of knowledge makes it impossible to establish a dialogue because you cannot build a dialogue based upon ignorance. With whom do you have dialogue? Without meaningful dialogue, you cannot construct coherent and sustainable foreign policy because you will not have the ability to predict. You will not understand the forces at play.
How would the handling of the situations in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq and the wider Middle East, or the Philippines, have been different if the main players had benefited from a thorough understanding of the history and culture of those regions?
Let me turn now to civil society. None of the initiatives I have discussed can be effective in the absence of a robust civil society which is critical to supporting pluralism and ultimately, effective democracies.
Civil society includes charitable organisations and NGOs. It also encompasses organisations charged with maintaining best practices such as legal societies and associations of accountants, doctors and engineers. It includes trade associations, unions and journalist groups. Village organisations, women’s groups, micro-credit entities and agricultural co-operatives are important components as well. Some organisations are primarily urban, others primarily rural, while still others provide links and support to both urban and rural environments.
Civil society makes an enormous contribution to human development, filling the gaps between government, the business sector and the family. It does things the state cannot and thus supports citizens in nation building.
Most important, civil society underwrites human progress. It acts as a stabiliser or buttress in times of economic slowdown or social stress. When democracies are failing, or have failed, it is the institutions of civil society that can carry an added burden to help sustain improvements in quality of life.
In his Munich remarks, Minister Fischer recognised the importance of partnerships in building indigenous capacity of civil society in developing countries.
I wholeheartedly welcome the principle of partnerships. Civil society institutions in developing nations must have expert assistance if they are to be a bulwark for democratic processes and are to play a role in helping people improve their living conditions. Partnerships can take many forms. They include the twinning of institutions, the secondment of experts in education and healthcare, and the provision of continuing education for practitioners in fields such as nursing, journalism and the charitable and not-for-profit sectors.
Germany and AKDN already collaborate on a wide and expanding scale in areas of risk and sensitivity such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Through a great variety of village and community organisations, we encourage people to overcome their antagonisms, and work together to find solutions to common problems in the search for a better life.
Northern Pakistan is an excellent example of how this support for civil society and pluralism can buttress democracy. We have been working in that isolated region for more than 20 years, and with German participation since 1992. Some 3,900 village-based organisations have been created, dealing with a range of issues from women’s initiatives, to water usage, to savings and credit. Economic growth has been impressive and hostilities born out of despair have been replaced by co-operation and hope for the future. In recent local elections, many of the leaders of these village-based organisations sought and achieved elected positions.
The lesson here is that democracy can work even in the most remote rural areas, which is where much of our vital work is concentrated, if one is patient and works to build up indigenous capacity.
The AKDN has begun to formalise its support for democracy, pluralism and civil society through the establishment of a Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa. This education and research centre will work closely with governments, academia and civil society to foster legislation and policy to strengthen local capacity for enhancing pluralism. We would welcome the participation of the German government in helping transport the fruits of this venture to the developing world.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am immensely grateful for the collaboration between the AKDN and the German development institutions. It illustrates the scope of partnership between the West and the developing world, especially the Muslim world.
I have the hope and the confidence that our partnerships will continue and be characterised by a willingness to innovate, to take risks for great reward, and to have the patience and determination for the long term commitment required.
I have attempted to share with you the lessons of very specific development experiences of AKDN and our partners in Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.
All of you assembled here have the ability to shape the future direction of the world for the better. Each of you, in your role in diplomacy, may reflect upon how the issues I have identified might help in addressing, in a strategic way, the kaleidoscope of changing patterns in the regions and areas of responsibility in which you work.
Is sustaining democracy a serious issue in our quest to transform developing nations into peaceful and productive modern societies? How can we nurture and support the growth of civil society? What are the educational and cultural approaches that can support greater pluralism, understanding and dialogue?
And finally, by responding to these issues, can we reduce risk and increase the probability of success in helping the people of the developing world to attain a better life?
Thank you for your kind attention.

http://www.ismaili.us/

Happy Birth Day To His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph 13 December 2007

2007-12-10T17:30:00.000+05:00

The Ummah, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre, Mountain Girls Education Development Program and http://www.ismaili.us/ extend most affectionate greetings to wish His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, many happy returns of the day on occasion of his auspicious Birth Day on 13 December 2007.

His Highness Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam Caliph is the 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.

President Bush Paves Way for Peace in Middle East

2007-11-30T20:54:00.000+05:00

U.S. President George W. Bush, in a speech opening the Annapolis conference on the Middle East here on Tuesday, said Israelis and Palestinians reach an agreement to launch immediate, bilateral talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive peace deal by the end of 2008.

Reading the joint statement by the Israelis and Palestinians, President Bush said the two sides agree "to engage in vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations and shall make every effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008."

President Bush Tuesday launched his biggest initiative for Middle East peace, brushing aside skeptics by insisting the time is right for Israelis and Palestinians to end their six-decade conflict. He also dismissed suggestion that this is not the right time to re-launch the Middle East talks.

"I believe that now is precisely the right time to begin these negotiations," he said.

"The task begun here at Annapolis will be difficult. This is the beginning of the process, not the end of it, and much work remains to be done," the President added.

President Bush urged Israel and Palestine to fulfill their commitment under the "Roadmap" plan drafted by the Quartet, or the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, in 2003.

The U.S. leader has held summit talks with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, insisting that the time is right for the two sides to end the decades long conflict. For the Palestinian leaders, they "will create opportunity for all its citizens and govern justly and dismantle the infrastructure of terror," President Bush said, adding that Israeli leaders must "show the world that they are ready to begin to bring an end to the occupation that began in 1967, through a negotiated settlement."

"Israel must demonstrate its support for the creation of a prosperous and successful Palestinian state by removing unauthorized outposts, ending settlement expansion, and finding other ways for the Palestinian Authority to exercise it's responsibilities without compromising Israel's security," President Bush said.

For the United States, "America will do everything in our power to support their quest for peace, but we cannot achieve it for them. The success of these efforts will require that all parties show patience and flexibility and meet their responsibilities," the President said.

U.S. President George W. Bush Tuesday launched his biggest initiative for Middle East peace, brushing aside skeptics by insisting the time is right for Israelis and Palestinians to end their six-decade conflict. President Bush also dismissed suggestion that this is not the right time to re-launch the Middle East talks.

"I believe that now is precisely the right time to begin these negotiations," the President said.

"The task begun here at Annapolis will be difficult. This is the beginning of the process, not the end of it, and much work remains to be done," he added.

The President urged Israel and Palestine to fulfill their commitment under the "Roadmap" plan drafted by the Quartet, or the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, in 2003.

The U.S. leader has held summit talks with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, insisting that the time is right for the two sides to end their decades-long conflict. For the Palestinian leaders, they "will create opportunity for all its citizens and govern justly and dismantle the infrastructure of terror," President Bush said, adding that Israeli leaders must "show the world that they are ready to begin to bring an end to the occupation that began in 1967, through a negotiated settlement."

Nearly 50 countries and international organizations attended the Annapolis conference, the first such conference since the Bush administration took office in seven years.

Supreme Court of Pakistan Upholds Larger Public Interest and the Safety, Security and Integrity of Pakistan

2007-11-24T13:18:00.000+05:00

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday validated the imposition of emergency and the promulgation of the Provisional Constitution Order issued by the Chief of the Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf, and justified all the steps taken after the emergency on November 3.

A seven-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, while announcing a brief judgment on the constitutional petitions challenging the state of emergency and the PCO, declared the emergency as valid and all steps taken by President General Pervez Musharraf after November 3 justified.The court ruled that the learned chief justices and judges of the superior courts, (Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court and high courts), who had not been given, and who had not taken, oath under the Oath of Office (Judges) Order 2007, had ceased to hold their respective offices on November 3, 2007. Their cases cannot be re-opened being hit by the Doctrine of Past and Closed Transaction.

The bench held that the emanating situation in the country prior to November 3 was such that emergency could have been enforced. The bench, after announcing the verdict, disposed of the petitions.Other members of the bench included Justice Ejazul Hassan, Justice Muhammad Qaim Jan Khan, Justice Muhammad Moosa K Laghari, Justice Chaudhry Ejaz Yousaf, Justice Muhammad Akhtar Shabbir and Justice Zir Pervez.The bench ruled: “Unfortunately, some members of the superior judiciary by way of judicial activism transgressed the constitutional limits and ignored the well-entrenched principle of judicial restraint.“Thousands of applications involving individual grievances were being processed as suo moto cases, ostensibly in the exercise of power under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, which provision is resorted to the enforcement of fundamental rights involving questions of law of general public importance. Instances of transgression of judicial authority at large scale may be found in the cases of determination of prices of fruits, vegetables and other edibles; suspension and transfers of government officials; frequent directions to enact particular laws; stoppage of various development projects, such as New Murree City, Islamabad Chalets, Lahore Canal Road and many more.“They rendered the state machinery, particularly legislative and executive branches of the government paralyzed and nugatory. They made ineffective the institution of the Supreme Judicial Council set up under the Constitution for the accountability of the members of the superior judiciary.”

Read Full Text of the Supreme Court Order HERE.

Punishment to Pakistan Regrettable > Geneva Peace Development Centre

2007-11-23T16:41:00.000+05:00

Geneva Peace Development Centre says it deeply regrets the decision of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to suspend Pakistan from the Councils of the Commonwealth, as the decision did not take into account the objective conditions prevailing in the country. While in a positive develoment the highest judicial body, Supreme court of Pakistan today upheld the imposition of emergency as being in the national interest and for the welfare of the people of Pakistan. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has also dismissed all six petitions challenging the legitimacy of election of President General Musharraf.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation Extends Greetings to CHOGM 2007

2007-11-23T00:55:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation extends hearty felicitations for the success of CHOGM 2007. THE FATIMID sincerely appeals to HM Queen Elizabeth II to prevail upon the meeting to appreciate positive contribution, the Government and the people of Pakistan have been making for the cause of stability in the region and global peace, and the process of transition to democracy initiated successfuly by Excellency President General Musharraf. THE FATIMID Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID. Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area. MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation Invites to Join Development Gateway co-sponsored Global Dialogue on Mobile Government

2007-11-22T13:52:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation invites to join for a Development Gateway co-sponsored Global Dialogue on Mobile Government: The New Frontier in Transforming Public Services. The event will take place 08.30 - 11:00 am ET on November 29, 2007 in Washington D. C. and in Delhi; you can also join via live webcast and online discussion forum, or via videoconference from one of several other participating cities. The event is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Development Gateway Foundation, e-GovWorld, e-Gov Monitor, and IIS-Russia.

Mobile services are quickly emerging as the new frontier for transforming government towards citizen-centricity and one-stop multi-channel delivery. They extend the benefits of remote delivery of government services and information to those who are unable or unwilling to access public services through the Internet or simply prefer to use mobile devices. In theory, many government services can now be made available on a 24x7x365 basis in any place covered by mobile networks, which today means almost everywhere.

According to an estimate by R. Chandrashekar, Additional Secretary (e-Gov), Government of India, (keynote speaker at this seminar), up to 50-60% of government services in India can be delivered via mobile channels. This emerging trend in public service delivery has often been called "Mobile Government" (M-Government) and is part of a broader phenomenon of mobile-enabled development (m-development), which leverages the mobile revolution to enable development impact. The organizers hope to address the following questions at the Global Dialogue on Mobile Government:+ According to the ITU, the total number of mobile users worldwide as of late 2006 was about 2.7 billion and the number of internet users was just above 1.1 billion. Does this provide a strong case for leveraging mobile channels to dramatically improve access to public services to those who can afford to use a personal or shared mobile phone (e.g. as in Village Phone programs)? Does this create an opportunity to connect in the near future the next two billion people to the benefits of e-government, e-health, e-education, e-banking and e-commerce?+ How exactly can Mobile Government transform the lives of common people in developing and transition countries? What are the best examples of such impact? + What are the types of services that can be easily provided on mobile phones/devices ("quick wins") and what are the more strategic high-impact services ("killer applications")?+ What are the key constraints to making this vision a reality? What are the critical success factors and lessons learned?+ Should government agencies and the development community take this opportunity to drastically improve access to information and services? How should governments and donors change the way they do business to take full advantage of mobile technologies?+ What is the role of the private sector? Are there successful business models (e.g. PPP) for private sector companies to support value-added m-government services?

This Global Dialogue seminar is organized as an integral part of the eGovWorld 2007 Conference taking place in New Delhi on Nov. 29-30, 2007 (www.egovworld.org) and will connect a large and high profile audience in India with experts and e-government champions in other countries for sharing ideas on how to take public services transformation to the next level with the help of mobile technologies.

More information about this event is available at http://go.worldbank.org/RLCVF90NBO

JOIN LIVE WEBCAST:The Webcast links are at: http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment/live(registration is not required but is recommended). If you would like to send in advance questions for speakers, or if you have any questions on how to access the webcast and e-discussion, please email mailto:edevelopment@worldbank.org

JOIN DISCUSSION FORUM:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation strongly encourages you to post your views on the discussion forum created for this event to promote the good image of your respective counties, at:http://topics.developmentgateway.org/egovernment/discussion/default/showDiscussion.do~id=5303?intcmp=916

P.S. Feel free to forward this invitation to all who may be interested!

EMPOWERING WOMEN CONDITION FOR BUILDING PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS SOCIETIES

2007-11-19T15:02:00.000+05:00

The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands in partnership with The White House Project, the Council of Women World Leaders and the Women Leaders Intercultural Forum launched the International Women Leaders Global Security Initiative in October 2006. This initiative, which will run through June 2008, aims to bring the perspectives and voices of global women leaders to the international discourse on security. As part of the initiative, the International Women Leaders Global Security Summit was held November 15-17, 2007 in New York City, New York.

The White House Project facilitated the largest gathering of women world leaders addressing issues of global security ever held in the United States. This truly significant initiative brought together current and former women heads of state and government and more than 70 other high-level women leaders from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America.

Empowering women is the condition for building peaceful, prosperous, societies said Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro at the New York Summit. Giving her remarks she said:

"I am honoured to be with you for this important gathering of singularly accomplished women. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help frame the connection between women and global security.

The United Nations community is coming to understand this connection more and more profoundly. We know that achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only a goal in itself. It is also a condition for building healthier, better educated, more peaceful and more prosperous societies.

Study after study has shown us that, when women are fully empowered and engaged, all of society benefits. Only in this way can we successfully take on the enormous challenges confronting our world -- from conflict resolution and peacebuilding to fighting AIDS and reaching all the other Millennium Development Goals.

At the 2005 World Summit held at the United Nations, leaders declared that gender equality and human rights for all are essential to advancing development, peace and security.
Five years before that, the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

The resolution was a landmark on many fronts. It highlighted the increasing, disproportionate and unconscionable toll that modern conflict is taking on women and girls. It called for special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence during conflict. It underlined the responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those responsible for war crimes relating to violence against women and girls. And it emphasized the importance of women’s full and equal participation in all efforts for peace and security -- before, during and after conflict.

We have made some progress in translating those principles into action -- both in conflict-affected societies and in the international community.

More and more, women participate in mediating and negotiating peace, in searching for justice, in fostering reconciliation, in supporting disarmament and demobilization, and in shaping development policies and rebuilding institutions.

More and more, the Security Council ensures that peace processes empower women and advance gender equality.

More and more, United Nations entities work closely and actively with Governments and women’s organizations, including through the United Nations System-Wide Action Plan on implementation of resolution 1325.

But there is much more to do. On the implementation of resolution 1325, more countries in conflict or post-conflict need to establish their own national action plans. We in the United Nations system need to work better with Governments to establish truly joint programmes, driven by national priorities. We need to work better as a team, so as to give countries access to a common entry point. And we need to appoint more women in leadership positions, at Headquarters and in our peace operations around the world.

More generally, while we have in place global goals and commitments on women’s empowerment, we still have far to go in implementing them fully -- from school enrolment to women’s economic independence and representation in decision-making bodies.

In almost all countries, women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making positions. Women’s work continues to be undervalued, underpaid, or not paid at all. Out of more than 100 million children who are not in school, the majority are girls. Out of more than 800 million adults who cannot read, the majority are women. And violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture.

Changing all this requires all of us -- women and men -- to work for enduring change in values and attitudes. It means working in partnership -- Governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector. It means men assuming their responsibility. It means ensuring that women and girls enjoy their full rights, and take up their rightful place in society.
It means moving forward on several fronts at once:
-- Ensuring that men take on a greater role in household and family care;
-- Challenging traditions and customs, stereotypes and harmful practices, that stand in the way of women and girls;
-- Ensuring that women have access to education and health care, property and land;
-- Investing in infrastructure to make it easier for women and girls to go about the daily business of obtaining safe drinking water and food;
-- Integrating gender issues into the follow-up to United Nations resolutions and decisions -- including the work of recently established bodies such as the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council.

Violence against women has reached hideous and pandemic proportions in some societies attempting to recover from conflict. Together, all of us need to strengthen our collective and individual response to it. This is essential if we are to reverse the damage done by conflict, and build more inclusive, accountable and cohesive societies, underpinned by viable democratic institutions.

Earlier this year, the Secretary-General urged the Security Council to establish a mechanism dedicated to monitoring violence against women and girls, within the framework of resolution 1325.

The Secretary-General has also encouraged Member States to actively consider proposals to strengthen the United Nations gender architecture, as presented by the High-Level Panel on United Nations System-Wide Coherence.

The Secretary-General and I believe we could significantly advance our cause by replacing several current structures with one dynamic United Nations entity. Such a new body should be able to call on all of the United Nations system’s resources in the work to empower women and realize gender equality worldwide. It should mobilize forces of change at the global level, and inspire enhanced results at the country level.

And it should have mechanisms for drawing on the expertise and experience of women leaders such as all of you. You have so much to contribute –- in leading by example, in raising awareness, in identifying women candidates for leadership positions and in helping us to be bold in our thinking. With your resources, your vision and your wisdom, you are all wonderfully placed to give life to the theme of this Summit -- enhancing the effectiveness of women’s leadership on global security.

I thank every one of you for your commitment, and I look forward to working in partnership with you in the years ahead."

For more information visit

WomenandGlobalSecurity.org http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/

Anwar Merchant is a Government of Canada On-Line Research Panel member.

Bangladesh: Ban Ki-moon pledges full support of UN in wake of deadly cyclone

2007-11-19T14:31:00.000+05:00

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his mounting concern today at the trail of devastation and increasing death toll left by Cyclone Sidr after it tore into Bangladesh and he stressed that the United Nations stands ready to do all it can to help in the relief effort.More than 2,000 people have been reported killed as a result of Cyclone Sidr, which struck the southwest coast of Bangladesh late on Thursday local time, bringing winds of more than 240 kilometres per hour and a water surge that created waves up to five metres high. The death toll is expected to climb further.Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, large tracts of cropland have been wiped and hundreds of thousands of people have had to evacuate their home villages and towns and now depend on aid for basic necessities.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban expressed “his profound condolences to the people and Government of Bangladesh for the many deaths and the destruction involved, and the full solidarity of the UN system at this time of crisis.”The statement noted that UN humanitarian agencies on the ground in Bangladesh are already responding to the basic needs of some of the hundreds of thousands of people estimated to have been affected, while UN assessment teams are also ready to be deployed.

On Friday, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said the UN would make available several millions of dollars from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which was established to expedite aid operations following disasters.

Supporting California Wildfire Recovery

2007-11-19T10:15:00.000+05:00

As California continues to recover from last month’s devastating Southern California fires, the Department of General Services (DGS) is committed to continuing to do everything as the State’s business manager to help support the ongoing recovery effort. Following the devastation last month, Governor Schwarzenegger ordered all State agencies to move quickly to ensure fire commanders, emergency managers, local government officials and ultimately the general public got the help and resources they needed to respond to and recover from these devastating wildfires.

Over the past several weeks, DGS staff has been moving to secure cleanup contracts, line-up commercial space for recovery operations, and ensure that critical communications sites across the State were restored following the fires. With 4,000 staff statewide and responsibilities over managing real estate, funding school construction, purchasing and contracting, and emergency telecommunications, DGS has been uniquely positioned to help local government officials, as well as the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) get the resources they need to keep the recovery process moving forward. The other day, DGS secured contracts with nearly 90 companies that can provide help in cleaning up debris from the fires and putting erosion control measures in place across the burned-out landscape. DGS has also identified portable classrooms that school districts can use if necessary and secured 60,000 square feet of space for FEMA to warehouse donated goods. At the height of the fire siege, DGS’ Telecommunications staff was deployed to numerous fire scenes to repair critical emergency radio sites that had been damaged. Moving forward, DGS is continuing to work closely with OES to meet any ongoing business needs that are identified and appreciates the opportunity to help California recover and rebuild.

Learn more about DGS at http://www.dgs.ca.gov/.

Anwar Merchant is a Government of Canada On-Line Research Panel member.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation extend hearty felicitation to Excellency Mohammedmian Soomro, Prime Minister, Pakistan

2007-11-16T10:01:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation happily extends heartiest felicitations to His Excellency Mohammedmian Soomro on assuming the august and auspicious office of the Prime Minister of Islamic Republic Pakistan, with prayers for success and happiness of fulfilment of duty.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID. Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area. MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway. Join DG communities here.

Canada to have Democratic Accountable Senate

2007-11-14T15:02:00.000+05:00

Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, accompanied by Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State for Seniors, announced the introduction in the House of Commons of the Senate Appointment Consultations Act and the Constitution Act, 2007 (Senate Tenure). The legislation will make Canada’s institutions more democratic and accountable. “Our government is re-introducing two Bills to create a modern, accountable Senate that is consistent with 21st century democratic values, principles and traditions,” said Minister Van Loan. “Under our legislation, the Senate will have to be accountable for the decisions it makes, the work it does, and the money it spends. Accountability – the basis of democracy – will finally come to the Senate.” The first Bill, the Senate Appointment Consultations Act, creates a popular consultations process to allow Canadians to have a direct say in who represents them in the Senate. The second Bill, the Constitution Act, 2007 (Senate Tenure), will limit the terms of new Senators to 8 years. “For over 140 years the Senate has resisted change. It remains the same institution that was created by the fathers of Confederation in 1867. This is not healthy for the Senate and it is not healthy for democracy in Canada,” said Minister LeBreton. “Our legislation, once adopted, will finally bring democracy to the Senate.” The government has indicated that it wants to work with the opposition to create a modern, democratic, and accountable Senate. That is why the Senate Appointment Consultations Act will be sent to committee before 2nd reading to allow for the broadest possible input from the opposition parties.“We are open to different approaches on the details of Senate reform, but we will not compromise on one fundamental aspect: the Senate must change. And, if that change cannot happen through reform, then we believe that the Senate should be abolished,” said Minister Van Loan. “This is not our preferred route. We prefer to try to reform the Senate before resolving to abolish it. However, if our legislation is blocked, it is a route Canadians will want to see us travel.

For more information, visit http://www.democraticreform.gc.ca/

For information, contact: Michael WhiteCommunications Assistant Office of the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform (613) 952-4930

http://www.democraticreform.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1395

Pakistan Islamic Republic

Posted in Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Arab World , Canada , Central Asia , Community , Culture , Democracy , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , Politics , South Asia , United Nations Permalink Comments (0) Email this Tags: Government of Canada, senate reform, Peter Van Lan, Marjory LeBreton, A World Model Democracy

Aga Khan at The Conference on Central Asia and Europe:A New Economic Partnership for Twenty First Century

2007-11-14T10:08:00.000+05:00

Berlin - November 13, 2007

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellencies Foreign Minister Steinmeier, Dr. Belka and Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner,State Secretary Erler,Your Excellencies Ministers from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan andUzbekistan,Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me, first, acknowledge and thank for their kind words those who have spoken before me this morning -- the Foreign Minister, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Dr. Marek Belka -- as well as Benita Ferrero Waldner, the EC Commissioner for External Relations.

It has always been special pleasure to return to Berlin -- a city that continues to be synonymous with the word “cosmopolitan”. Berlin is truly a global connecting point -- a fact which has been instrumental in our decision to open an office of the Aga Khan Development Network here. How appropriate that we should be discussing, in this historic crossroads city, one of the great, inter-cultural projects of our time -- the effort to build a partnership between Central Asia and Europe. I commend the German Government for its leading role in this effort, and the European Union for carrying it forward -- with its endorsement of a “Regional Strategy” for Central Asia a few months ago. Others have also played welcome contributing roles, including The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

As I offer my own comments today, I will draw on the experience of our Aga Khan Development Network in Central Asia. We have come to know much of this region well, particularly Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; not only has it long been home to significant numbers of Ismaili Muslims, but we have also developed a widening range of programs across the region over the past fifteen years. It is appropriate that the word “Regional” is at the center of our deliberations on Central Asia. The countries are diverse in many ways -- and the development approaches there must be sensitive to divergent requirements. But these countries also have a common historical experience, including several centuries of shared Islamic heritage. Each of them has faced the need to build new political and economic institutions following the breakup of the Soviet Union. And, as the EU Strategy document emphasizes, each of them can only optimise their development through a regional approach. In this respect, the Central Asian experience parallels the European experience. In Europe, too, the end of the Cold War demanded new political and economic structures and it is striking how quickly Europe is now reaching out to Central Asia -- offering, among other things, the great gift of a powerful regional example. Among other things, the European example demonstrates that a healthy sense of national identity need not be a barrier to constructive regional engagement.

So my first objective today is to tell you how warmly I endorse regional diagnosis for Central Asia. And because that diagnosis begins in the right place, it also extends into a series of wise prescriptions for the future. These prescriptions are validated in large measure by the experiences of the Aga Khan Development Network institutions in Central Asia. We have learned a great deal from those experiences -- both successes and setbacks, but we can learn a great deal more by sharing our lessons. The problems of Central Asia are remarkably complex -- their causes are multiple and defiantly inter-tangled. Progress requires a multi-faceted and multi-input approach -- a proper “policy mix”-- to cite the language of the EU Report. The learning curve is steep and there should be a sense of urgency -- for all of us -- and all the more so, because solutions can be elusive. In many ways, the greatest obstacle in the struggle for progress in Central Asia is simple human frustration. In this region the sense is that its development partners talk about progress, and then act, and then talk some more -- but too often, for the people of the region, progress is just “not happening”. When it does happen, it too often is incomplete, or exceptional, or fleeting. This situation is of course by far the most acute in Afghanistan.

What we face in Central Asia is a race against frustration -- which means a race against time and mediocrity. Alternative scenarios, often utopian and extremist, beckon on every hand -- and people will not be patient with pragmatic scenarios unless the work in practice is effective. The EU rightly emphasizes the need for greater “continuity” in these efforts -- so that each experience, successful or unsuccessful, becomes a building block for the future. It is a daunting challenge indeed to move in a coordinated way on multiple fronts. But as we do, success can become self-generating. Progress on one, or two, or three fronts can often make progress easier on other fronts -- a sense of possibility can also be contagious. I acknowledge the considerable advances that each of the Central Asian countries is making, including recognising the needs of their rural populations. In a spirit of shared learning and with diffidence -- let me highlight a few of our own experiences.

I would begin with the University of Central Asia, founded in the year 2000 by the Ismaili Imamat -- and the governments of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. I remember the signing ceremonies well. They were the culmination of six years of planning -- an experience which itself illustrated the importance not only of regional cooperation, but also of cooperation among disciplines and among social sectors. Our goal was to address a massive regional problem: how to improve the quality of life of nearly 25 million people who live in the high mountain areas of the region and beyond? We often talk about Public Private Partnerships -- as the EU Strategy does. But such relationships need not be limited to cooperation between governments and the private business sector.

There is also enormous potential for active partnering between governments and the not-for-profit institutions of Civil Society. The University of Central Asia is an example of that potential -- and one worth usefully being replicated. The University has recently graduated its first students from the School of Professional and Continuing Education in three mountain communities: Khorog, Tajikistan ; Naryn, Kyrgyzstan ; and Tekeli, Kazakhstan. We have prepared our graduates for active roles in the world of modern business and finance through programmes benchmarked against international standards. The story of these students illustrates another central precept -- the importance of educating people to meet carefully prioritised needs and specific employment opportunities. In the same way, plans for our forthcoming undergraduate and post-graduate programs will emphasize governance skills -- appropriate for future leaders in the public sector, as well as for Civil Society. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government of Germany and a number of German institutions for their support. Closely paralleling these efforts is our engagement with systems of schools for pre-university education in cities ranging from Bishkek and Dushanbe, to Osh and Khorog -- again reflecting our shared confidence that the development of human capital is the foundation stone for effective development.

It is also almost impossible to develop quality tertiary university education if its supply system, secondary education, is sub-standard. Another set of our experiences which illustrate the potential for partnerships between the public sector and Civil Society involve our health institutions’ alliances with local hospitals, including nursing training in Khorog, and other regional referral hospitals in Tajikistan, and the six Institutes of Nursing in Afghanistan, and even a new venture in the use of telecommunications advances to link hospitals in distant cities: Today the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi is connected to the French Medical Institute for Children in Kabul. Among the most difficult of challenges, of course, is connecting any progress we may achieve at a national level with more remote, rural areas -- where poverty often seems most intractable. Mountain peoples, in particular, have endured economic hardship, civil strife, arms and narcotics trafficking, an insecure food supply, earthquakes, water shortages -- the list could go on. But overcoming these problems will require a searching re-examination of what poverty really means. I am increasingly inclined to define poverty not only as a matter of income, but rather as a state of marginalisation in all of those conditions which contribute to the quality of human life. A state of poverty is a state of deprivation with respect to health and nutrition, education and security, housing and credit, and all the other conditions which are essential to human well-being. Here too we are learning as we go. In this spirit, and with the active support of KfW, we are experimenting with innovative microcredit programs -- especially for the rural poor -- as well as with local efforts to increase agricultural output. Only as legitimate economic activity becomes a viable source of sustenance, and all the manifestations of poverty recede for the peoples of these regions, will the blight of crime, and drugs, and terrorism, be diminished.The EU report also emphasized the need to expand energy production and to distribute energy more equitably.

We are responding to these needs through projects in eastern Tajikistan, to cite one example, where restored Soviet era power plants will provide near 24-hour coverage for Eastern Tajikistan, as well as to people on the other side of the Pyanj River -- in Afghanistan. Expanding trade and international investment, creating new sources of economic growth, -- and doing so on an urgent basis, and with a long-term perspective, -- are essential priorities for Central Asia. To this end, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development is increasingly investing in the leisure sector in the region -- building new hotels in Dushanbe, Khorog, and in Kabul -- and working on a major tourism planning project for the Issyk-kul area in Kyrgyzstan. The recent opening of a new hotel in Kabul has been a particularly visible example of our Central Asian investments. Our hope, of course, is that a tangible example of confidence in the future can help trigger an upward spiral of hope and renewal. In this regard, the challenges of Afghanistan become particularly important. For without a viable and progressive Afghanistan, any progress which might be made elsewhere in the region will at best be very fragile.

One of the approaches I have used in thinking about development is the concept of “The Enabling Environment”. It has grown out of my impatience with overly simple myths about how development really works. The term "Enabling Environment" reminds us that the full context of interacting forces must be brought together if sustainable development is to be achieved. The term also recognizes that even the right environment is still only an enabling condition -- not a sufficient one. In the end, human progress must grow out of human inspiration and endeavour. I have come to know the Central Asian peoples and their dreams and aspirations. I know of their proud entrepreneurial spirit -- often manifested at the village and household level. It is critical -- even as we plan for development at the “macro” level -- that we also build at the “micro” level. Too often, we forget that a large number of people in Central Asia live in the countryside. A sound enabling environment must create a favourable framework in which people’s energy and creativity can be motivated, mobilized and rewarded. This framework should embrace such conditions as political stability, safety and security, citizen rights and predictable democratic practices. A supportive environment should include transport systems which make cooperation possible, incentives which encourage broader trade, and a legal and administrative framework which is impartial, predictable, and efficient. These concerns are largely the responsibilities of government, but effective governmental efforts can take us only so far. And that is why I so often talk about the role of “Civil Society”; the capacities of the private sector, and the value of partnerships among these various institutions. The key to building partnerships -- whether they are among social sectors, or among countries -- is a profound spirit of reciprocal obligation -- a readiness to share the work, to share the costs, to share the risks, and to share the credit. In the end, what it will require most -- in Central Asia -- as it has in Europe -- is a spirit of mutual trust.

Let me mention in conclusion, one other set of relationships which will be central to the concerns we have been discussing. I refer to the relationship of both Europe and Central Asia to the world of Islam. During the Soviet period, the populations of Central Asia were dissuaded from learning or practising the Islamic faith of their ancestors. The result, over time, has been a theological vacuum. Now the five newly independent countries of Central Asia are re-establishing their relations with the Ummah, that is, with Muslim peoples all around the world. They are doing so quickly, and at a time when relations between the Ummah and the West are particularly strained -- more so than at any other time I can remember. Some may suggest that these matters of faith should not be a part of the development dialogue between Europe and Central Asia. But allow me to ask the reverse question. Can we really ignore this matter without consequence? I think not.

Two aspects of this question deserve our attention: The first concerns the relationship between the countries of Europe and their growing Muslim minorities. As is the case all around the world, the effort to accommodate a variety of faiths within any population is often problematic. But a successful effort to establish respectful, pluralistic attitudes and behaviour, based on a deep respect for religious and cultural diversity, will surely help to shape emerging inter-regional relationships. Is it too much to hope that one day, young Muslims, from all backgrounds, all educated in Europe will serve wisely and competently in their countries of origin? Noticeably today, the peoples of Central Asia are developing religious and civic practices, reflecting the views of their own diverse peoples, but also with Muslim views from outside the region. There is no doubt questions will arise, such as how matters of faith should affect political governance or civil jurisprudence. Responding to such issues could be divisive, and will need to be approached with sensitivity, patience and humility.

My second question concerns the role that Islamic countries could play in partnership with Europe in Central Asian development. I believe that Europe ’s commendable efforts to address the challenges of Central Asia can be even more effective if they see the Muslim world as a relevant resource. Fortunately there are today a number of Muslim countries which can serve as helpful models and available partners for a progressive and welcoming Central Asia. These are Islamic countries which have kept their own peace, and have progressed thanks to the application of best practice to their development. Many are Islamic countries with strongly pluralist societies -- and whose learning curves for development to levels of global performance are relevant to Central Asia Much more needs to be done in Central Asia, for many more institutions, and many more people, in many more places, covering many more types of support, within frontiers and across frontiers, if there can be any hope that the pace of progress will become a self-sustaining momentum. The central issue is not, understanding what needs to be done -- for all of us share the same analysis and common goals. The issue is essentially one of scale. Throughout Central Asia, with each passing day, we see new examples of what can be achieved when we learn to transcend old boundaries -- to replace the icy past of the Cold War by the warmth of new partnerships. It is that spirit of partnership which brings us here today -- manifested within Europe and within Central Asia -- and now with growing success between Europe and Central Asia. In that spirit of partnership, then, let us continue, wherever we encounter the boundaries of the past -- to build bridges to the future. I am proud and grateful for the opportunity to join you in that endeavour.

Thank you.

Posted in Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph , Arab World , Central Asia , Economy , Europe , Fatimid Heritage Foundation , Freedom of expression , Geneva Peace Development Centre , Germany , Islamic Republic Pakistan , Ismaili Muslims , Middle East , Mountain Girls Education Development Program , United Nations , United States , Western Europe Permalink Comments (0) Email this Tags: Aga Khan, World Peace, Pakistan, Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Middle East

Join dgCommunities

UN Secretary General Lauds DR Congo-Rwanda Agreement on threats to peace

2007-11-13T14:09:00.000+05:00

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda for reaching agreement on a common approach to end threats to peace and stability in the two countries and the region.“The agreement between them on a common approach and immediate, concrete steps to carry it out marks a significant breakthrough,” Mr. Ban said through his spokesperson.“This approach offers an opportunity for the comprehensive resolution of the fundamental problems posed by irregular armed groups in the eastern DRC,” added the spokesperson, referring to a region where some 800,000 people have been displaced by fighting. The Secretary-General reiterated his calls on all irregular groups operating in the DRC to lay down their arms, and “seize the opportunity for a normal life.”The Joint Communiqué signed by both governments on 10 November includes measures to fight impunity.Mr. Ban’s statement urged both Governments to act urgently to carry out all the agreed measures while calling on international partners to support these efforts and to increase humanitarian assistance to respond to the “dire situation on the ground.”For its part, the UN is committed to supporting Rwanda and the DRC in their common approach, and to help ensure the protection of civilians, the Secretary-General pledged.At the end of last month, Mr. Ban reacted to ongoing violence in the eastern DRC by sending his aide, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios, to the region with a mandate to “find ways to resolve the immediate crisis and to address its underlying causes.”

ArchNET : Global Community of Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph

The Arab World Competitiveness Report 2007

2007-11-12T14:30:00.000+05:00

United Arab Emirates is the most competitive economy in the Arab world among the countries at the third and most advanced stage of development according to The Arab World Competitiveness Report 2007, released today by the World Economic Forum. It is followed by Qatar and Kuwait. Among countries at the second stage of development, Tunisia and Oman are the best performing Arab economies while Egypt is the regional best performer in the third group of countries.Read the press release This year’s report has expanded coverage to 13 Arab economies – Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates. Libya, Oman and Syria are assessed for the first time. Rankings are presented in three country groups according to the stage of development to enable benchmarking against peers in other parts of the world.

Chapters Competitiveness in the Arab World: Removing Obstacles to GrowthOne I Two I Three I Four Arabic

Enhancing Drivers of Growth in the Arab WorldOne I Two I Three I Four I Five

Future Competitiveness of the Arab World Country profiles Data Tables

The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008

2007-11-12T13:02:00.000+05:00

The United States tops the overall ranking in The Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008. Switzerland is in second position followed by Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Singapore, respectively.
The rankings are calculated from both publicly available data and the Executive Opinion Survey, a comprehensive annual survey conducted by the World Economic Forum together with its network of Partner Institutes (leading research institutes and business organizations) in the countries covered by the Report. This year, over 11,000 business leaders were polled in a record 131 countries. View the interactive report

View interviews and photos of the Global Competitiveness Report 2007-08 co-authors.

Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID. Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area. MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway. Join DG communities here.

President Musharraf Declares "Free Fair and Crystal Clear Election 2008''

2007-11-12T04:50:00.000+05:00

The world community rejoiced and congratulated His Excellency President General Musharraf as he declared free, fair and crystal clear election to be held in first week of January 2008. The national and provincial assemblies, on completion of their tenure, will stand dissolved on 15 and 20 November respectively, and the Election Commission would be requested to hold the election. “I would request the Election Commission to hold election as soon as possible,” the President told reporters during a high level press conference at the Presidency in Islamabad. The President said a decision has been taken in consonance with the Chief Ministers of all four provinces to hold the election simultaneously the same day. He said the National Assembly would dissolve on November 15, while the Provincial Assemblies by November 20 so that the election could be held in the next 45 to 60 days, as required according to the Constitution. “I leave it to the Election Commission to decide the exact date.” “This is a historic moment of joy and satisfaction as the Assemblies have completed its full five year tenure for the first time in the history of our country,” he said, and added “it is the way that the things should have moved in the past and should move in the future.’’President Musharraf said he would take the oath of office as the civilian President of Pakistan soon after notification of results of the presidential election, where he got a thumping 57 per cent votes from the Parliament and four provincial assemblies. He said arrested politicians would be freed but that emergency was needed to complete the holding of free and fair election. “I would expect that all of them get released and participate in the elections, and do electioneering as per the rules given by the Election Commission of Pakistan.” “But in case they disturb law and order, and cause to create anarchy in Pakistan in the name of elections, or in the garb of democracy, then the nation will not allow that,” the President added.He said a plan had been made to strengthen the second line of Defense of Pakistan with addition of 15,000 police, 128 platoons of Frontier Corps, 7,000 Levies and 12 wings of Rangers. The President said he is always for a free but responsibly competent media that works for the integrity of Pakistan and morale of its countrymen, to make democracy function progressively. “I am for independence of media and stand by it,” he added. President Musharraf called upon the legal fraternity to understand the security threat to Pakistan and contribute their best for its integrity and safety.Year 2007 is the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.

Notes:

Middle East Quartet backs upcoming 'substantive and serious' peace conference in Washington

2007-11-11T15:19:00.001+05:00

Principals discussed the meeting and agreed that it should be substantive and serious, providing support to the parties in their bilateral discussions and negotiations in order to move forward urgently on a successful path to a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza that will unite all Palestinians.

Middle East Diplomatic Quartet statement, 23 September 2007 :

The Quartet Principals - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, High Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado, and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner - met in New York to discuss the situation in the Middle East. They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair.
The Quartet recognized the present opportunity for progress and the robust regional and international desire for peace in the Middle East. The Quartet expressed its strong support for the ongoing bilateral talks between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas and welcomed the formation of Israeli and Palestinian teams to discuss the core issues that are essential to progress towards their shared goal of a negotiated two-state solution and establishment of a viable Palestinian state living side-by-side with a secure Israel. The Quartet welcomed parallel steps taken by the parties to build confidence and improve conditions on the ground. The Quartet underscored the need for immediate additional steps to meet previous commitments, including those under the Roadmap and the Agreement on Movement and Access, so as to create a positive atmosphere conducive to progress towards a two-state solution.
The Quartet expressed support for the international meeting on Israeli-Palestinian peace called for by President Bush in his July 16 statement. Principals discussed the meeting and agreed that it should be substantive and serious, providing support to the parties in their bilateral discussions and negotiations in order to move forward urgently on a successful path to a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza that will unite all Palestinians. The goal of this meeting is to bring together key members of the international community in support of efforts between the Israelis and Palestinians to end their conflict and help bring a final peace in the Middle East. The Quartet expects the meeting to affirm its support for the two-state solution based on a rejection of violence and its support for progress by the parties in their bilateral discussions. The meeting should also review progress that has been made toward building Palestinian institutions and discuss innovative and effective ways to support further Palestinian reform. The Quartet will work for a successful international meeting and for the implementation of its conclusions.
Quartet Representative Tony Blair briefed the Quartet on his meetings and discussions in the region, and discussed the way forward on the development of a functioning Palestinian economy, and the institutions of governance that will form the foundation of a Palestinian state. The Quartet agreed that Mr. Blair should work closely with the Palestinian Authority government in developing a multi-year agenda for institutional and economic development, and looked forward to strong technical and financial support from the international community in support of these efforts, beginning with the September 24 Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting. In that context, the Quartet called upon all countries that are able to contribute to urgently provide financial support to the Palestinian Authority. The Quartet endorsed an extension of the Temporary International Mechanism until December 31, 2007, and expressed its hope that during this period a mechanism would be established to facilitate the transition to direct international assistance to this Palestinian Authority government.
The Quartet expressed concern over conditions in Gaza. It agreed on the importance of continued emergency and humanitarian assistance without obstruction. The Quartet called for the continued provision of essential services. It expressed its urgent concern over the continued closure of major crossing points given the impact on the Palestinian economy and daily life. The Quartet further noted its grave concern over the continued rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, and recent efforts by Hamas to stifle freedom of speech and the press.
The Quartet discussed its forthcoming meeting with members of the Arab League follow up committee to consult on next steps on the Arab Peace Initiative and regional support for bilateral talks between the parties.
The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on UNSCRs 242 and 338.

Notes:

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.

MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.

The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.Join the dgCommunities here.

UN Declares 15 September as International Day of Democracy

2007-11-10T23:12:00.000+05:00

Stressing the continuing need to promote democratization, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the General Assembly today agreed to observe 15 September each year as the International Day of Democracy.
In adopting by consensus a resolution on the issue, the 192-member body reaffirmed that “while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or region.”
In addition, the Assembly reaffirmed that democracy is “a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.”
The Assembly also invited all Member States, organizations of the UN system, regional and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals to commemorate the Day “in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.”
In taking today’s action, the Assembly recognized that 2008 marked the twentieth anniversary of the first International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, which offers a special opportunity to focus attention on the promotion and consolidation of democracy at all levels.

Pakistan Elected to Social Economic Council of United Nations

2007-11-10T22:58:00.000+05:00

Pakistan was re-elected Thursday to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the economic arm of the United Nations, for a three-year term, beginning January 1, 2008. Already on the 54-member council, Pakistan received 177 out of the 188 votes cast in the UN General Assembly to serve another term. The impressive vote reflects the confidence and prestige the country enjoys in the international community. Malaysia topped the table of the Asian Group, with 185 votes. First elected in 1954, Pakistan served the ECOSOC in 1965-1967, 1969-1971, 1974-1977, 1979-1984, 1986-1988, 1990-1992, 1994-1995, 1998-2003 and 2005-2007. In 2005, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram was elected president of the council. Of the ECOSCO’s 54 members, 18 retire each year. Seats have been distributed on geographical basis with 14 allocated to Africa, 11 to Asia, six to East Europe, 10 Latin America and 13 to Western Europe and other states. The 11 new members are: Cameroon, Congo, Malaysia, Mozambique, Moldova, Niger, Poland, South Korea, Saint Lucia, Sweden and Uruguay. They will fill the seats vacated at the end of this year by Albania, Chad, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Denmark, Guinea, India, Lithuania, Mexico, South Africa and Thailand. Besides Pakistan, Brazil, China, Iceland, Russia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, which are already Council members, were also re-elected. The Economic and Social Council is the principal organ coordinating the economic, social and related work of the various UN specialized agencies, regional commissions and functional commissions. As of January 1, 2008, the Council’s membership will also include Algeria, Angola, Austria, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cuba, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, France, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Paraguay, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and the United States.

Notes:
This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (since1957) . The 49th Fatimid Imam Caliph, His Highness Aga Khan is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in- Aly, the first Imam Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FATIMID), Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) support educational development activities to enhance knowledge, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway. Join DG commnities here.

Secretary-General Ban makes historic visit to Antarctica

2007-11-10T22:22:00.000+05:00

Today 9th November 2007, Ban Ki-moon became the first United Nations Secretary-General to make an official visit to Antarctica as he travelled to the frozen continent to see first-hand the effects of climate change on its melting glaciers.

Mr. Ban, who has made the climate change a priority issue during his term as Secretary-General, received a briefing from scientists at a Chilean Air Force base in Antarctica before visiting the Collins Glaciers and then the Sejong Research Centre.

"I am here today to observe the impact of Global Warming. To see for myself and learn all I can. We joke amoung ourselves that we are on an “Eco-tour”, but I am not here as a tourist but as a messenger of early warning."

"What we saw today was extraordinarily beautiful. These dramatic landscapes are rare and wonderful, but it is deeply disturbing as well. We can clearly see this world changing. The ice is melting far faster that we think.
All this may be gone, and not in the distant future, unless we act, together, now
Look about us. We have seen it with our own eyes. Antarctica is on the verge of a catastrophe – for the world. The glaciers here on King George Island have shrunk by 10%. Some in Admirality Bay have retreated by 25 kilometers. You know how the Larsen B ice sheet collapsed several years ago and disappeared within weeks – the size of Rhode Island, 87 kilometers.
What alarms me is not the melting snow and glaciers, alone. It is that the Larsen phenomenon could repeat itself on a vastly greater scale. Scientists here have told me that the entire Western Antarctic Ice Shelf – the WAIS – is at risk. It is all floating ice, one fifth of the entire continent. If it broke up, sea levels could rise by 6 meters or 18 feet. Think of that. And it could happen quickly, almost overnight in geological terms.
This is not scare-mongering. I am not trying to frighten you. According to recent studies, 138 tons of ice are now being lost every year, mostly from the Western Ice Shelf.
You know, also that deep blue water absorbs more heat that sea covered with ice. The sea ice around Antarctica is vanishing too.
There are other deeply worrying signs. The penguin population of Chabrier Rock, a main breeding ground, has declined by 57% in the last 25 years. It is the same elsewhere. What will happen to the annual march of the penguins in the future? Will there even be one?
Grass is growing for the first time ever here on King George Island – including a grass used on American golf courses. It rains, increasingly often in the summer rather than snows.
These things should alarm us all. Antarctica is a natural lab that helps us understand what is happening to our world. We must save this precious earth, including all that is here. It is a natural wonder, but above all, it is our common home.
It is here where our work, together, comes into focus. We see Antarctica's beauty – and the danger global warming represents, and the urgency that we do something about it. I am determined that we shall" said Ban.

A night before, he addressed the Ibero-American Summit in Santiago, the Chilean capital, where he told the audience that the UN’s work is “intimately linked” with the need to promote social cohesion worldwide.
“Our very mission for peace, development and human rights depends on fostering inclusive societies that are stable, safe, just and tolerant – societies that respect diversity, equality of opportunity and participation of all,” Mr. Ban said.
He stressed the importance of building and strengthening social cohesion to tackling several key challenges and issues faced by the UN, from climate change to migration to upholding indigenous rights and those of peoples with disabilities.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation is the Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.

Join DG communities.

Regional organizations complement work of UN worldwide, Ban Ki-moon

2007-11-07T20:51:00.000+05:00

Highlighting the role of regional organizations in preventing conflict, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace building, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the United Nations is committed to building up their capacity to meet global challenges.
Addressing a Security Council debate on the role of regional and sub-regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, Mr. Ban said the UN’s partnerships with such groups are “stronger and more active than ever.”
In the past year, the UN has demonstrated its commitment to cooperating with regional organizations, he pointed out.
The world body has established a joint peacekeeping force and held political mediations for the war-ravaged Darfur region of Sudan with the African Union (AU), while it has worked closely with the European Union (EU) to protect civilians in neighboring Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Also this year, the UN has also worked with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding Myanmar; collaborated with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to support elections in that region; partnered with the Organization of American States (OAS) to provide assistance to Haiti during its elections; and regularly consulted with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and League of Arab States.
This kind of cooperation, Mr. Ban said at the debate, which also heard from dozens of speakers including representatives of regional organizations, is “delivering results on the ground as well as lessons for the future,” and also provides “a better understanding of our respective strengths and advantages.”
Additionally, working with regional and sub-regional organizations allows for a more prompt response at the start of a crisis and for more effective post-conflict peace building efforts, he said.
“We need to build on these strengths together, find better and more efficient ways of tackling global challenges,” the Secretary-General said, pledging the UN’s support to bolster the organizations’ capacities to achieve sustainable peace in their respective regions.
The need for further collaboration between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations was reiterated in a presidential statement read out by Hassan Wirajuda, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month.
Recognizing the “growing contribution” made by these organizations, the statement said that they are “well positioned to understand the root causes of many conflicts and other security challenges close to home and to influence their prevention or resolution, owing to their knowledge of the region.”

Aga Khan Economic Planning Board highlight Chitral Uplift Potential

2007-11-07T19:28:00.000+05:00

Potential for economic, social, and cultural development in Chitral, and addressing the capacity gaps in the relevant institutions to respond to the emerging challenges with regard to access of people could benefit in the economic development of the Chitral area.

The speakers expressed these views at a seminar organized by the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board in collaboration with Aga Khan Council for Chitral on 'Development Opportunities and Challenges of Chitral.' It was part of the series of events arranged by various agencies of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.

Chief Guest Zainullah Khan, Special Finance Secretary of NWFP lauded the efforts of the AKEPB and Aga Khan Council for the initiative of the series.

President Musharraf Declares Emergency to Ensure Peace and Unity, Democracy and Development

2007-11-04T17:05:00.000+05:00

President Musharraf Declares Emergency to Safeguard Sovereignty of Pakistan and People

2007-11-04T16:26:00.000+05:00

Amidst his own dislike, struck with grief, pain and sorrow, the Chief of Army Staff President General Musharraf on Saturday declared state of emergency in Pakistan, promulgating the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), and holding the Constitution in abeyance. This, he had to do, there being no other option to save the people of Pakistan from being dismembered.

Army Chief had to take this step to check worsening of law and order, and intensification of violence to an unprecedented level in Pakistan. The gravity of situation presented gravest threat to the life, property and repute of the people of Pakistan. Everything of this great nation was at stake: safety and security, human resources; gender equity; food, water and energy supplies; conciliation for democracy; unity and consensus; good governance; infrastructure; economy; health and education; peace and stability; independence and sovereignty; the very existence of Pakistan.

Pakistan is the second largest contributor of UN peacekeeping troops. It is dynamically involved in the activities of the United Nations, ensuring peace during conflicts and the post conflict situation in various countries. Pakistan has taken a lead role in piloting reforms at the country level, establishing one window UN operations.

Pakistan as the Chairman of G-77 group played pivotal role in ensuring that the UN activities reflect the aspirations and wishes of the developing countries.

Pakistan achieved record fastest growth of 7 per cent in the FY 2006-7. During his recent visit to Pakistan, Robert Zoellick, the World Bank President expressed his happiness with economic progress in Pakistan, and stressed the the need for consistency in reforms to help Pakistan compete world market.

Pakistan has also done remarkably for the implementation of the decisions of the UN reforms meeting of the high-level panel, co-chaired by Prime Minister Aziz, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, and Luisa Dias Diogo, the Prime Minister of Mozambique.

In an extraordinary move, which many termed as supra-constitutional, the Army Chief promulgated emergency and thus foiled the conspiracy of some to dismember the nation of Pakistan.

President Musharraf, one of the most popular statesman globally, also referred to the “working of some members of the judiciary at cross purposes with the executive and the legislature, and thereby jeopardizing his government’s campaign for peace in the region, adversely affecting the economic growth of the country in particular; “overstepping” of some judges of their limits of judicial authority, making the Supreme Judicial Council entirely irrelevant, and “humiliating treatment” meted to government officials by some members of the judiciary on a perpetual basis. Though emergency, the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies, and the judiciary shall continue to function as before.

“No judgment, decree, writ, order or process whatsoever shall be made or issued by any court or tribunal against the president or the prime minister or any authority designated by the president,” said Section 3(2) of the PCO issued here in the supreme interest of the country and its people. The PCO Section 1(3) says: “Subject to clause (1) above and the Oath of Office (Judges) Order, 2007, all courts in existence immediately before the commencement of this Order shall continue to function and to exercise their respective powers and jurisdiction, provided that the Supreme Court or a High Court or any other court shall not have the power to make any order against the president or the prime minister or any person exercising powers or jurisdiction under their authority”.

According to the proclamation of emergency “gravity of the situation and the threat to security of Pakistan has been reviewed at meetings with the prime minister, the governors of the four provinces, and with the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, chiefs of the armed forces, the vice chief of army staff and the corps commanders”.

In Pakistan the life is normal, people have heaved a sigh of relief, and the nation in unison is resolutely with President General Musharraf in his campaign for peace, conciliation and consensus inside Pakistan and in the region.

The global community needs to look at the happenings in Pakistan with a sense of brotherhood, understanding and cooperation; and not that of a burden of dislike, as the nation is passing through a transition period of progress towards democracy.

The Development Gateway - Fatimid Heritage Foundation Partnership to Usher New Era of Knowledge Peace Development

2007-11-02T22:50:00.000+05:00

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FATIMID) today joined the invitation from Dr. Anuradha Bhattacharjee, Content Coordinator and Editor of dgCommunities, to be the Coordinating Organization with The Development Gateway Foundation.
Development Gateway Foundation provides Web-based tools to make aid and development efforts more effective. It offers innovative solutions that increase access to critical information, building local capacity and bringing partners together for positive change.
www.developmentgateway.org/ is a web portal introduced by the World Bank to use internet resources for connecting people, facilitating collaborations and networking, and to help development worldwide. The portal addresses multiple issues through knowledge gateways and each is subscribed to by thousands of members. The issue-based gateways are called dgCommunities.

Dr. Bhattacharjee is a specialist in Gender and Income Generation, Micro Finance, HIV/ Aids, Youth. Her work experience covers projects with the Government of India (National Aids Control Organization); State Governments; USAID; UNICEF; ActionAid; Janani and others – in the areas of Communication Strategy Development; IEC Campaigns; Communication Needs Assessment; Project Evaluation; Documentation; Work Palace Management of HIV/AIDS; et al.

Anwar Merchant also accepted the invitation to be the Advisor for dgCommunities. Anwar shall contribute to the DG Coordinator and Editor on knowledge and resource management adding value to the subject/topic/development issue with highlight articles and resources.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation and Development Gateway partnership shall facilitate exchange of logos, links, information, resources and news on reciprocal basis with due credit lines and a link to the CO.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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.

Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.

MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.

Join the dgCommunities here.

AGA KHAN III Championed World Peace At "Disarmament Conference" of 1932 And League of Nations

2007-11-02T13:51:00.000+05:00

Sultan Muhammad Shah 1302-1376 (1885-1957) the Aga Khan III, Savior of Humankind, Champion of Jew Christian, Buddhist, Hindu Sikh Muslim Unity, Founder of Pakistan, 48th Fatimid Imam caliph, direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam Caliph Ameerul Mu’mineen (Master of the Faithful), and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter, was born on Friday, 25th Shawwa'l, 1294 ME 2nd November, 1877 CE at Mount of Muhammad in Karachi Pakistan.

Sultan Muhammad Shah, like the present Aga Khan, was the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
He became the Ima'm Caliph on Monday, 6th Zu’l-Qa’dah, 1302 ME 17th August, 1885 CE at the age of seven.
Aga Khan III was the man of many visions and in his long life played diverse roles in numerous public fields. He was the hereditary Imam Caliph of the Ismaili Muslims, Founder President of All India Muslim League (1906-1912), Founder-President of the All India Muslim Conference, patron of the London Muslim League, head of the 1906 Muslim Deputation to the Viceroy of India, President of the All India Mohammedan Educational Conference, He was a member of the imperial legislative council from 1902 to 1904 and member of Privy Council (1934). In 1903 he became the president of the reception committee of the All-India Muslim Education Conference and presided over its Delhi session in 1904. Aga Khan, as the leader of the Muslim delegation in a meeting with the Viceroy Lord Rippon in 1906 at Simla, suggested for a separate electorate for Muslims. In 1911 he raised a donation of three million rupees for the Aligarh Muslim University.
One of the founders and Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, Head of the British Indian Delegation to the Round Table Conference (1930-33), he was Indian Delegate to the Disarmament Conference, Chief Indian Delegate to the League of Nations and later its President (1937).
The nature and strength of his compassion for humanity formed foundation of his passion for social reform: his dislike for violence and war, his disapproval of racism, his faith in democracy, his tendency towards movement for independence, his efforts for world peace, his obsession with education, his interest in emancipation of women, his appreciation of poetry, his emphasis on culture, and his interpretation of Islam.
He complimented the British for their initiative to eradicate the practice of ‘sati’. Uniquely, he related the human living to the purpose of divinity. “With this acceptance of divinity in mankind, there is the acceptance of brotherhood The whole economic, social and religious fabric calls for immediate relief - uplift of the weak - economically, intellectually and culturally, so that there may be left no one to be called downtrodden.” He asked Muslims to attend to the needs of the ‘untouchables’ of India, elevate their social status and make their life happy. Similarly, in South and East Africa he asked Asian settlers to be kind and friendly to local population and help in their needs.The achievement that gave him immense joy and satisfaction was the creation of Aligarh Muslim University. As manifest Imam (Imam I Mubin), he considered acquiring and sharing of knowledge and education a religious duty. He recalled the Prophet’s saying which exhorted the Muslims to travel as far as China in search of knowledge. He referred to the injunction of Qur’an to study nature and comprehend God’s motive in creating the Universe.
He was particularly happy to see Muslim countries allow women go to mosques for prayers alongside their spouse, brothers, and children to seek help and guidance from God for steadfastness in their daily lives (in Cairo, there are special mosques, like the Muhammad Ali Mosque, where galleries are reserved for women. In North Africa, in the Paris mosque and the London mosque at Woking, in Iran and in Turkey, and the present day Pakistan women have their own special enclosure for prayers).
The Aga Khan refused to identify humankind without proper attribution to gender equity. In his view, the general well-being of every community depends on the emancipation of its women. No artificial barriers should obstruct their betterment. No prejudices, however narrow should deprive them of their natural rights and proper social status. Again and again he stressed the commanding importance of educating the girls. He went to the extent of declaring that “Personally, if I had two children and one was a boy and the other a girl, and if I could afford to educate only one, I would have no hesitation in giving the higher education to the girl.”
The Aga Khan opposed racism. He also warned the Asian settlers both in South and East Africa of potential danger, and appealed them to help African tribes with land economy, health and education. Asians and Africans must not hate or fear each other. He said: “White, black and brown are complementary members of a common body politic.”
The concern for humanity strengthened his resolve to work for world peace and to avert wars. He strongly believed that maintenance of world peace was the only guarantee for a secured happiness and survival of mankind. He worked hard for eliminating racial bigotry. In India he pleaded for Hindu-Muslim unity and proposed formulae of equal political representation at the federal level for a peaceful co-existence of the two peoples. In the West he encouraged Christian-Islamic understanding and a genuine respect for all faiths. In the world of Islam he was an enthusiastic spokesman of a pan-Islamic and Shi’i-Sunni unity.
He championed the cause of world peace at the ‘Disarmament Conference’ of 1932 and in League of Nations in the following years. On the material side, he pointed to the great benefits which would flow from the absence of war. “There is a cry going up from the hearts of all the peace-loving citizens of every country for the lessening of their military burdens, for a decrease of the financial load which those burdens impose, for the security of civil population against methods of warfare, and above all, for security against the very idea of war.”
In 1937, as President of the League of Nations, he called for the “peaceful removal of the causes of war and the establishment of the empire of peace throughout the world.” The Maharaja of Bikaner called him “a bridge between the East and the West, a connecting link between the two main civilizations of the modern world.” His sincere efforts to employ culture, more importantly the exchange of literature and historical enlightenment, as a means to improve international trust and goodwill, had no successor in the corridors of nations.
His love for humanity and his concern for the welfare of nations made the Aga Khan to work for ‘World Peace Order’, and put an end to wars. Today, the European Union (EU) owes its birth or formation substantially to the Aga Khan, who, just a year before Second World War appealed for the incarnation of ‘United States of Europe’ so as to avert the dangers of war (an earlier long ignored suggestion of Aristide Briand and Gustav Stresemann, the joint winners of 1926 Nobel Peace Prize).
The crown of culture is poetry, and especially the poetry that speaks of spirit of man and the compassion of God. The Aga Khan had read poetry extensively, particularly the Persian poetry. “Man’s greatest of all treasures, the greatest of all his possessions, is the inherent, everlasting nobility of his own soul.” In it “there is forever a spark of true divinity which could conquer all the antagonistic and debasing elements in nature.” The faith in the soul of man is “not simply religious or mystic but an all-embracing and immediate contact with the ‘fact’, which, in every human being, is the ‘central fact of existence’.”
The Aga Khan called Islam “a great cultural and spiritual source for the world unity, and the fraternity of nations,”
He believed the religion to be of strong spiritual and aesthetic dimension in ones life. “A man must be at one with God,” he said. This was the mystical way to personal communion and joy of the heart. His religion had many dimensions in itself, all leading to a humanistic view of the world and an inner comprehension of what God has created.
The esoteric and mystic side of his individual belief is well described in certain passages of his autobiography ‘Memoirs of Aga Khan’. “It is said that we live, move, and have our being in God, when we realise the meaning of this saying, we are already preparing ourselves for the gift of the power of direct experience”. “The love of one human being for another is the harbinger of a joy which overshadows all the treasures of this life; all fame, all wealth, all power, all riches.
“The way to personal fulfillment, to individual reconciliation with the Universe that is about us, is comparatively easy for anyone who firmly and sincerely believes, as I do, that Divine Grace has given man in his own heart the possibilities of illumination and of union with Reality.”
The Isma’ili Muslims celebrated Golden Jubilee of his Imamat Caliphate in Bombay (1936) and in Nairobi (1937); the Diamond Jubilee in Bombay (1946) and in Dar es Salaam (1946) and the Platinum Jubilee in Cairo (1953) and in Karachi (1954), weighing the Ima'm with gold, diamonds and platinum respectively as mark of their faith, devotion, and gratitude for the Imamat. The Imam reciprocated Ismaili feelings most generously giving these back to be used as endowment for social, economic and educational development of the Ismailis in India, Pakistan, Africa, and world wide.
His struggle for saving Turkey from Greek expansionist ambition in 1920, his efforts to preserve the Caliphate after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1921, his stand for the Palestinians in 1929, the building of hundreds of Medrisa (schools for teaching Isla'm) and mosques in Africa, India and Pakistan and his work for the Pan-Islamism are but a few examples of his great services for the cause of Isla'm.
His book "India in transition" on the Indian problems, published in 1918 by the Times of India Press, Bombay had won him a worldwide acclaim. Baal Ganga'dhar Tilak, a political ancestor of Gandhiji, has remarked it as "the political Geeta of India".
He married Shahza'di Begum, his cousin (1897); Theresa Maglian, mother of Prince Aly Solomone Khan (1908); Andree Carron, mother of Prince Sadruddi'n (1933); and Omm Habibah (1944).
The 48th Fatimid Imam Caliph passed away at the age of eighty-two on Thursday the twelfth of Zil-Hijja, 1376 ME 11th July, 1957 at his residence Bar'kat Villa in Geneva, Switzerland.
Otto Giesen from Slaughter and May, the solicitor firm of the Aga Khan brought the WILL from Lloyds Bank, London, and read it before Imam's family at Bar’kat Villa.
The Aga Khan writes in his WILL: "Ever since the time of my ancestor Ali, the first Imam, that is to say over a period of thirteen hundred years, it has always been the tradition of our family that each Imam chooses his successor at his absolute and unfettered discretion from amongst any of his descendants, whether they be sons or remote male issue and in these circumstances and in view of the fundamentally altered conditions in the world in very recent years due to the great changes which have taken place including the discoveries of atomic science, I am convinced that it is in the best interest of the Shia Muslim Ismailia Community that I should be succeeded by a young man who has been brought up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age and who brings a new outlook on life to his office as Imam. For these reasons, I appoint my grandson Karim, the son of my own son, Aly Salomone Khan to succeed to the title of Aga Khan and to the Imam and Pir of all Shia Ismailian followers."

Notes: This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan. Fatimid Heritage Foundation is a Cooperating Organization with The Development Gateway. The FATIMID - DG partnership supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

General Assembly urges observance of ‘Olympic Truce’ during Beijing Games

2007-11-02T13:09:00.000+05:00

The United Nations General Assembly today urged all countries to observe the Olympic Truce during the 2008 Beijing Games – a move backed by its president, who advocated greater use of sport to promote peace and development.
In a resolution adopted unanimously and sponsored by the vast majority of UN Member States, the Assembly also welcomed the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to galvanize actions to promote a culture of peace and harmony based on the spirit of the Olympic Truce, a revived ancient Greek tradition known as ekecheiria.
It called on all Member States to cooperate with the IOC in its efforts to use sport as an instrument to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation in areas of conflict during and beyond the Olympic Games period.
Assembly President Srgjan Kerim said the 192-member body considers the concept of ekecheiria “to be an important part of promoting international understanding and maintaining peace.”
He noted that the UN “works closely with the International Olympic Committee to develop strategic partnerships with the international sport community to promote education, health, HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality, environmental protection, peace and reconciliation.”
The President praised examples including peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Liberia who use sport to bring previously warring factions together, while backing a call from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a more systematic follow-up by all Member States and UN bodies to “more effectively use sport as a tool” to achieve the global antipoverty targets collectively known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“If we are going to build a world with greater tolerance, mutual understanding and peace sport must continue to be used to channel energies away from aggression and self-destruction and into learning and self-respect,” he said. “This is the essence of the Olympic ideal.”

Notes:This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan. Fatimid Heritage Foundation is a Cooperating Organization with The Development Gateway. The FATIMID - DG partnership supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Messenger of Peace Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan

2007-11-02T12:38:00.000+05:00

Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan was designated as a United Nations Messenger of Peace by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 21 September 2007. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein is known for her commitment to humanitarian causes. She also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Food Programme from 2005 to 2007. Daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, Princess Haya now resides in Dubai with her husband, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai. Princess Haya is the first Arab woman to compete in equestrian events at the continental, world and Olympic levels and is now a member of the International Olympic Committee. HRH Princess Haya has worked to promote health, education and sports issues among youth in the Arab and Muslim world. She is dedicated to helping raise global awareness of the Millennium Development Goals, including the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.

Notes:
This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan.
Fatimid Heritage Foundation is a Cooperating Organization with The Development Gateway. The FATIMID - DG partnership supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

World Bank President Robert Zuellick Happy with Economic Progress In Pakistan >> President Musharraf Lauds Support

2007-11-01T21:51:00.000+05:00

President General Musharraf, appreciating the role of World Bank in assisting Pakistan said the annual assistance of $ 1.5 billion would help the country bring necessary improvement in various sectors.

"Economic reforms introduced during last eight years were bearing fruits." He said the World Bank was a consistent partner in the development of Pakistan, and besides helping with infrastructure, the world financial body was also providing assistance in human development, education and health.

President Robert Zoellick appreciated Pakistan’s achievement in economy and stressed for continuity of reforms to attract more investment and cut down poverty. He said consistency in reforms was extremely important to help Pakistan compete the world market.

The World Bank Chief expressed willingness to assist Pakistan with infrastructure development including energy, ports and airports. He laid emphasis for further expanding education and health facilities to help the country achieve Millennium Development Goals.

The World Bank President unveiled an increase of $ 500 million in annual assistance to Pakistan while addressing a joint news conference with Prime Minister Aziz after their meeting. "The World Bank is extending annual assistance of $1.5 billion, which can be raised by another half-a-billion dollars as Pakistan can use the money for infrastructure and social sectors improvement” said Robert Zoellick.
Zoellick hoped to work with the government and extend support for dams and other water resources where possible. He said developing water resources was very crucial for Pakistan to help it meet with energy and irrigation needs. He said as technical assistance is being provided, different ideas are also under consideration in this matter.

Notes:

This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation is a Cooperating Organization with The Development Gateway. The FATIMID - DG partnership supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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. Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.

Pakistan Economy Achieves Record Fastest Growth of 7 per cent in FY2006-07

2007-10-31T21:31:00.000+05:00

Pakistan’s economy recorded one of the fastest growth rates in Asia during fiscal year 2006-07, which was surpassed only by China and India. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7 per cent during fiscal year 2006-07 as compared with 6.6 per cent in FY06, but despite a visible slowdown in non-food inflation, inflationary pressures remained strong throughout the year, said State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Dr Shamshad Akhtar at a press conference here on Monday at the launch of the SBP Annual Report for fiscal 2006-07. The SBP governor said the GDP growth target of 7.2 per cent for FY2007-8 was achievable. She warned about persisting inflationary risks to the economy and said inflationary pressure might be further aggravated if international food commodity prices remained high or if fiscal compulsions drove the government to pass through a rise in fuel pries the face of rising international oil price.

Strength of food price inflation drove the annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for fiscal year 2007 to 7.8 per cent resulting in slippage of 1.3 per cent relevant to the annual target of 6.5 per cent.

Moreover, the food inflation remained in the double digits for most of the months of FY07 mainly due to rising food prices in the international market coupled with domestic supply shortage of some important minor crops and higher demand on the back of increasing income. Contrary to this, the average non-food CPI inflation declined to 6 per cent during FY07 which remained lower than that of the average non-food inflation of 8.6 per cent for FY06.The major contributory factor for slowdown in non-food inflation was transport, communication, house rent, fuel and lighting sub-groups. The SBP annual report said this was the fourth successive year of sustained high growth in the economy, with the average annual growth accelerating to 7 per cent during FY03-07 period. The continued strong performance of the services sector made major contribution to the FY07 outcome, while growth in agriculture and industry also witnessed improvement over the previous year. The services sector witnessed growth to 8 per cent against the target of 7.1 per cent, while in FY07 the agriculture sector grew by 5 per cent against the target of 7.1 per cent. The SBP report said sharp rise in value addition by crops in turns centered essentially around three major crops, ie, wheat, sugarcane, and gram recorded exceptional growth during FY07 and offset the disappointing growth in two other cash crops (cotton and rice). It further said the growth in livestock sector in FY07 was strongest in a decade (exceeded only by exceptional FY06 growth). Moreover, consequent to the robust demand of the sub-sector was attracting investment in the production, processing, transportation, and storage of dairy products. Similarly, the industrial sector witnessed moderate recovery with a 6.8 per cent growth during FY-07 compared with 5 per cent in FY06; however it was the second consecutive fiscal year when growth targets for the industrial sector remained unachieved. The highest growth was observed in the construction sub-sector with a growth of 17.2 per cent in FY07 compared with 5.7 per cent in FY06.

The large-scale manufacturing sector grew by 8.8 per cent down from 10.7 per cent growth in the preceding year. The LSM growth target was fixed at 13 per cent for FY 07.

During FY07, national savings rose sharply by 19.8 per cent in FY 07, raising its share in GDP to 18 per cent, the highest in the last four years.Shamshad Akhtar said the SBP continued with a tight monetary policy to strike a balance between reducing inflation and supporting sustainable strong economic growth. The headline CPI inflation while lower than FY06 remained high mainly due to continued strength of food inflation.

Fiscal deficit remained 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY07 same as of last year, and this was because the impact of an exceptional 18.6 per cent year-on-year growth in CBR tax collection and strong non-tax receipts was offset by a rise in expenditures. However, adjusted overall fiscal deficit in FY07 dropped to 3.9 per cent of GDP.

The country’s debt indicator continued to improve in FY07 with total debt and liabilities as a share of GDP drooped to 56.7 per cent in FY07. However, in absolute terms it rose by 10 per cent in FY07 to Rs 5, 024 billion, which principally reflects the country’s large current account and fiscal deficits.

The SBP governor said the increase in Total Debt Liabilities (TDL) was contributed by an increase in both domestic and external debt domestic debt recorded 11.9 per cent growth to reach Rs 2,597 billion, whereas External Debt Liabilities (EDL) stock recorded an 8 per cent YoY growth to reach $ 40.1 billion during FY07.

Two-thirds of the rise in domestic debt was caused by growth in floating debt (which comprises T-bills). Similarly, 62.5 per cent of the rise in EDL during FY07 was contributed by floating interest rates loans. “The rising share of short-term and floating rate debt in the country’s TDL indicates a relatively greater vulnerability of debt servicing costs of adverse future interest rate movement,” Dr Akhtar said.

The rates of growth of trade and current account deficits decelerated in FY07, however the size of current account deficit rose to $7 billion, 4.98 per cent of GDP. The country’s import bills, exports slowdown and income account deficit were the key factors that contributed to widening of the external current account imbalance.

Slowdown in export growth was broad based as the textile exports growth declined from last years average of 14.4 per cent to only 4.9 per cent during FY07, whereas non-textile growth declined from the last four years’ average of 19.2 per cent to only 0.6 per cent in FY07.

The poor rice, fruit and cotton crops together with EU ban on fish and fish preparations imports form Pakistan and industry-specific issues are considered as some of factors behind the sluggish growth in non textile export during FY07.

In addition, the broad-based slowdown in imports’ growth was mainly attributed to moderate decline in global oil prices, reduction in excess demand, gradual absorption of one-off impact of liberalizing of automobile and telecommunication sectors and improved domestic production of food items such as sugar and wheat.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE), one of the most active markets in the region, recorded a full year appreciation of around 38 percent during the year ended June 30, 2007, with the benchmark KSE-100 index closing at an all-time high at 13,772 points.

Aga Khan Foundation Invited to Join Development Gateway As Cooperating Organization

2007-10-30T12:24:00.000+05:00

Dr. Anuradha Bhattacharjee, the Content Coordinator and Editor of dgCommunities today invited The Aga Khan Foundation to be on Board as Cooperating Organization with the Development Gateway. Dr. Tom Kessinger, the Key Contact at AKF is also invited to be on the Advisory Board, Development Gateway.

The Development Gateway Foundation provides Web-based tools to make aid and development efforts more effective. It offers innovative solutions that increase access to critical information, building local capacity and bringing partners together for positive change. The Development Gateway Foundation is a nonprofit organization with activities around the world.

Development Gateway ( http://www.developmentgateway.org/ ) is a web portal started by the World Bank to use the internet for connecting people, facilitating collaborations and networking, and to help development worldwide.The portal addresses multiple issues through knowledge gateways and each is subscribed to by thousands of members. The issue-based gateways are called dgCommunities.

The Aga Khan Foundation is a private, international, non-denominational, non-profit development agency established by His Highness the Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph in Switzerland in 1967. Its fifteen offices are coordinated from Geneva. Common Board membership ensures consistency of policy and approach.

The foundation is part of the Aga Khan Development Network; a group of development agencies, institutions and programmes working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in specific regions of the developing world. The network's organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise. Together they collaborate in working towards a common goal to build institutions and programmes that can respond to the challenges of social, economic and cultural change on an ongoing basis. They all emphasize community participation and volunteer involvement, local expertise, rigorous management of resources, appropriate technologies and ultimate self-sufficiency. The foundation works closely with, and makes grants to, the other members of the network.

Anuradha Bhattacharjee coordinates content for six dgCommunities:

http://topics.developmentgateway.org/hiv
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/youth
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/culture
http://topic.developmentgateway.org/urban
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/glocalization

A development communications consultant based in Calcutta, she originally joined dgCommunities in 2003 as a guide. Today, she has built the partnership base of her dgCommunities to a total of almost 200 cooperating organizations. She has recruited volunteer guides for all of them and launched a robust series of online discussions. Membership in these communities has grown considerably. Culture and Development now boasts 13,000 members. Anuradha would like to see more NGOs and civil society organizations from the developing world come on board as partners and members so that, in her words, “they are represented and have a voice.” Private companies that have corporate social responsibility initiatives involved with development can also benefit from becoming a partner with the dgCommunities. “It has been a fulfilling year—and there is so much more we can do!” says Anuradha, whose infectious enthusiasm is reflected in the dynamism of her communities.
Anuradha is a specialist in Gender and Income Generation, Micro Finance, HIV/ Aids, Youth. Her work experience covers projects with the Government of India (National Aids Control Organization); State Governments; USAID; UNICEF; ActionAid; Janani and others – in the areas of Communication Strategy Development; IEC Campaigns; Communication Needs Assessment; Project Evaluation; Documentation; Work Palace Management of HIV/AIDS; et al. Career Milestones: Brand Communications – J. Walter Thompson, India; Public Relations – Mudra Public Relations, India; Corporate Communications – Haldia Pharmaceuticals, India; Marketing – Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, India.

Notes:
This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (since1957). The 49th Fatimid Imam Caliph, His Highness Aga Khan is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in- Aly, the first Imam Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FATIMID), Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace), and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism to establish a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

Afghanistan Rural Microcredit Programme of Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance

2007-10-29T10:49:00.000+05:00

Aga Khan Development Network in Afghanistan established the Emergency Microcredit Programme and the Rural Microcredit Programme, each of which was aimed at improving the economic security of the population and offering credit for start-ups, re-starts and the expansion of income-generating activities.
In March 2004, the Rural Programme was institutionalized into the Afghanistan Rural Microcredit Programme (ARMP), which provides a wide range of credit products to farmers and traders in rural provinces. It has also provided special credit for over-in debted farmers and financing for crop substitution in poppy growing areas. Loans have allowed some farmers to repurchase land sold during civil strife to poppy farming landlords and warlords, replant the fields with wheat and potatoes and acquire livestock.
At June 2006, ARMP was active in 39 districts and 9 provinces. In these areas, over 40,800 clients were served with loans totaling over US$ 29 million. This represents approximately one-third of the overall microfinance provision in the country. The institution’s efforts in building appropriate and accessible financial services in rural areas greatly complement AKDN activities in rebuilding the asset base of rural households and revitalizing markets and the rural economy. In particular, AKDN has closely linked its business development services and vocational training programmes with ARMP credit options.
The First MicroFinanceBank – Afghanistan
In 2004, the urban portion of the Emergency Microcredit Programme in Kabul was converted into The First MicroFinanceBank in Afghanistan. With a paid-up capital of US$ 6 million invested by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and, at a later stage by Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the institution was the first of its kind under the country’s new regulatory structure and was granted license #001 under the new banking law in the autumn of 2003. In 2005, the remaining urban portions of the Emergency Microfinance Programme in Pul-i-Khumri and the Urban Microcredit Program in Mazar-e-Sharif were also absorbed into FMFB-A.
The Bank provides credit and saving products as well as domestic and international payment services. It focuses on microenterprises, small businesses and the creation of productive sources of income and employment.
Beginning in Kabul and urban centres in the northeast of the country, the Bank will gradually expand to urban and rural areas of Afghanistan, with a view to opening 14 branches in the next three years. Its main goals are sustainability, broad geographical and service outreach and maximal impact.
From inception to June 2006, FMFB-A has provided over 18,000 borrowers with US$ 27 million in loans.
The establishment of the Bank is an integral part of the AKDN long-term commitment to contribute to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the economic infrastructure and civil society institutions in Afghanistan.
AKAM worldwide
Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance initiatives range from village lending cooperatives to self-standing microfinance institutions to full-fledged microfinance banks. These activities currently operate in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. Often they are part of wider integrated development strategy being implemented by the AKDN within each country. In addition to providing financial services to the poor, they may include business or technical advisory/training extension services and business development programmes that work directly with local entrepreneurs.

Courtesy: Carmen Villegas Caballerro

Carmen has obtained her masters degree in International Cooperation and Development Programs and MSc in Sociology from the Paris III Sorbonne University. She is currently working as a Content Coordinator for the DG Foundation online information communities. She has worked as a consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank, the Group for the Analysis of Development, a Peruvian research center for the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, the French Ministry of Education and different NGOs. Her areas of interest imclude: education for minorities, microfinace, civil society, refugees and human rights.

Notes:

This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (since1957). The 49th Fatimid Imam Caliph, His Highness Aga Khan is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in- Aly, the first Imam Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation (The FATIMID), Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace), and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

Journalists are encouraged to use this url in their reports.

2008 World Development Report:Agriculture for Development

2007-10-27T13:15:00.000+05:00

The latest World Development Report calls for greater investment in agriculture in developing countries and warns that the sector must be placed at the center of the development agenda if the goals of halving extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 are to be realized.
Titled ‘Agriculture for Development’, the report says the agricultural and rural sectors have suffered from neglect and underinvestment over the past 20 years. While 75 percent of the world’s poor live in rural areas, a mere 4 percent of official development assistance goes to agriculture in developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, a region heavily reliant on agriculture for overall growth, public spending for farming is also only 4 percent of total government spending and the sector is still taxed at relatively high levels.
The World Bank Group is advocating a new ‘agriculture for development’ agenda. According to the WDR, for the poorest people, GDP growth originating in agriculture is about four times more effective in reducing poverty than GDP growth originating outside the sector. “A dynamic ‘agriculture for development’ agenda can benefit the estimated 900 million rural people in the developing world who live on less than $1 a day, most of whom are engaged in agriculture,” said Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank Group President. “We need to give agriculture more prominence across the board. At the global level, countries must deliver on vital reforms such as cutting distorting subsidies and opening markets, while civil society groups, especially farmer organizations, need more say in setting the agricultural agenda.”
According to the report, agriculture can offer pathways out of poverty if efforts are made to increase productivity in the staple foods sector; connect smallholders to rapidly expanding high-value horticulture, poultry, aquaculture, as well as dairy markets; and generate jobs in the rural nonfarm economy.
“Agricultural growth has been highly successful in reducing rural poverty in East Asia over the past 15 years,” said Francois Bourguignon, World Bank Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, Development Economics. “The challenge is to sustain and expand agriculture’s unique poverty-reducing power, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia where the number of rural poor people is still rising and will continue to exceed the number of urban poor for at least another 30 years.”
For its part, the Bank intends to continue increasing its support for agriculture and rural development, following a decline in lending in the 1980s and 1990s. Commitments in FY07 reached $3.1 billion, marking an increase for the fourth straight year.
DETAILED FINDINGS
The report also warns global food supplies are under pressure from expanding demand for food, feed, and biofuels; the rising price of energy; and increasing land and water scarcity; as well as the effects of climate change. This in turn is contributing to uncertainty about future food prices.
Agriculture consumes 85 percent of the world’s utilized water and the sector contributes to deforestation, land degradation, and pollution. The report recommends measures to achieve more sustainable production systems and outlines incentives to protect the environment.
The report says in agriculture-based countries—home to 417 million rural people, 170 million of whom live on less than $1 a day—the agricultural sector is essential to overall growth, poverty reduction, and food security. Most of these countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the sector employs 65 percent of the labor force and generates 32 percent of GDP growth.
For Sub-Saharan Africa’s development, the report highlights issues to be urgently confronted: too little public spending on agriculture; donor support for emergency food aid with insufficient attention to income-raising investments; rich-country trade barriers and subsidies for key commodities such as cotton and oilseeds; and the under-recognized potential of millions of women who play a dominant role in farming.
In transforming countries such as China, India, and Morocco, agriculture contributes on average only 7 percent to GDP growth, but lagging rural incomes are a major source of political tensions. Dynamism in the rural and agricultural sectors is needed to narrow the rural-urban income gap and reduce rural poverty for 600 million poor while avoiding falling into subsidy and protection traps that will stymie growth and tax poor consumers.
In urbanized countries, mainly in Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, agriculture contributes just 5 percent of GDP growth on average. However, rural areas are still home to 45 percent of the poor, and agribusiness and food services account for as much as one third of GDP. The broad goal is to link smallholders to modern food markets and provide remunerative jobs in rural areas.
The report says rich countries need to reform policies which harm the poor. For example, it is vital that the United States reduces cotton subsidies which depress prices for African smallholders. In the emerging area of biofuels, the problem is both restrictive tariffs and heavy subsidies in rich countries, which drive up food prices and limit export opportunities for efficient developing country producers. The report also asserts that industrialized countries that were the major contributors to global warming urgently need to do more to help poor farmers adapt their production systems to climate change.

Meanwhile as autumn began, FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance of AKDN partnered with the UN World Food Programme to ensure close to 1,000 MT of food reach isolated communities living in districts of north-eastern Afghanistan. Accessing the mountainous communities is challenging at the best of times, however FOCUS’ expertise, local voluntary capacity and knowledge of the local terrain has ensured that vital supplies are channeled through Kulyab in Tajikistan and transported to Darwaz in the Afghanistan province of Badakhshan. The route is made complex as the only accessible road to Darwaz is across the Tajik-Afghan border and back again at a different crossing.
Notes:
This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (since1957). The 49th Fatimid Imam Caliph, His Highness Aga Khan is the direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in- Aly, the first Imam Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Prince Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan.
Report and related material: www.worldbank.org/wdr2008
Journalists are encouraged to use this url in their reports.

Eight Million People In Urgent Need of Emergency Aid: Iraq Calling

2007-10-25T14:56:00.000+05:00

Armed violence is the greatest threat facing Iraqis, but the population is also experiencing another kind of crisis of an alarming scale and severity. Eight million people are in urgent need of emergency aid; that figure includes over two million who are displaced within the country, and more than two million refugees. Many more are living in poverty, without basic services, and increasingly threatened by disease and malnutrition.This paper describes the humanitarian situation facing ordinary Iraqis and argues that, while violence and a failure to protect fundamental human rights pose the greatest problems, humanitarian needs such as food, shelter, water and sanitation must be given more attention. Although responding to those needs is extremely challenging, given the lack of security and of competent national institutions, Oxfam and the NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq (NCCI) believe that more could be done. The government of Iraq could extend the distribution of food parcels, widen the coverage of emergency cash payments, decentralise decision-making and support civil society groups providing assistance. The international donors and UN agencies could intensify their efforts to coordinate, fund and deliver emergency aid. These measures will not transform the plight of Iraqis but they can help alleviate their suffering. The paper focuses on needs inside the country, which are less visible, and does not refer in detail to the refugees in neighbouring countries.

Read here

Eleventh UNAMI report on the Iraq Human Rights situation

President Musharraf Writes History >> Creates Northern Areas Assembly >> Golden Jubilee “Nazrana” to Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, People.

2007-10-24T11:06:00.000+05:00

His Excellency President General Musharraf in this Diamond Jubilee Year of the Creation of Pakistan, on Tuesday announced landmark constitutional and development packages for the Northern Areas inhabited by more than one million people.

“All the administrative and financial powers of the Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Ministry (KANA) will be transferred to the Northern Areas,” the president announced while addressing a large gathering of government officials and other notables of the area at the Military Auditorium in Gilgit where he inaugurated the 18 MW power project built at Naltar, about 40 kms from here. However, the judicial system currently functioning as an attached department of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas shall remain for the time being. “While the whole country is facing power shortage, this region will be one of the luckiest areas free of load-shedding,” the President said.

Under the new package, the existing Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) would be upgraded as Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA). But currently the NALC is empowered to legislate only on 49 subjects in a 36-member council, which comprises 24 elected members, women and technocrats six each.

President Musharraf said that the new assembly would be empowered to elect its own head and that the Chief Executive of the House would be an elected member. He added that the new assembly shall prepare and approve its own budget forthwith.

He said that the Northern Areas Deputy Chief Executive would henceforth be called the Chief Executive of Northern Areas and the present Chief Executive /Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas would be the chairman, Northern Areas Government.

Contrary to the past practice, the elected assembly, after being empowered, would be able to move a no-confidence motion against the elected chief executive, speaker and deputy speaker of the assembly, the president said, adding that there would an Accountant General Office for the Northern Areas to carry out audit and account of the region.

One of the important announcements came after the president announced the creation of a new district in the region. “Hunza and Nagir sub-division would be the seventh district in the Northern Areas,” the president announced. He also announced the creation of two sub-divisions in the Baltistan region namely Dagoni and Raundo. Musharraf said that the cases of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) pertaining to corrupt officials of the Northern Areas administration would be transferred from Islamabad to Gilgit. He also announced remission of agriculture loans up to Rs 50,000, which would benefit about 12,000 people. In addition, interest on loans of more than Rs 50,000 would be waived.

A boundary commission under Deputy Chairman Planning Commission will be set up to resolve the boundary issues between the Northern Areas and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), he said. President Musharraf announced to increase the regional development budget from Rs 6.5 billion to Rs 7.6 billion. He also inaugurated the expansion work of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), which would be carried out by the Chinese government up to Thakot Bridge.The president will visit the Baltistan region on the second day of his visit to inaugurate Sadpara Dam.

Northern Areas is currently being governed by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas through the Northern Areas Legal Framework Order (LFO) 1994. This new system would be incorporated in the regional LFO.

People from all walks of life accorded the most rousing reception to President Musharraf, not seen before in the history of this region.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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 and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

Pakistan Actively Supports UN Reforms: Prime Minister Aziz

2007-10-22T22:44:00.000+05:00

During a telephonic conversation with the United Nations Secretary General Ben Ki-moon, this Sunday, Prime Minister Aziz said of Pakistan fully supporting the UN reforms. The Pilot Project being undertaken in Pakistan for a single window UN system is proceeding quite well, the Prime Minister said.

The two leaders also discussed Pakistan’s role as the Chairman of G-77 group in ensuring that the UN activities reflect the aspirations and wishes of the developing countries.

They also discussed the efforts for the implementation of the decisions of the UN reforms meeting of the high-level panel, co-chaired by Prime Minister Aziz, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, and Luisa Dias Diogo, the Prime Minister of Mozambique.

The United Nations Secretary General highly appreciated Pakistan’s role in ensuring regional peace and security as well as the contribution its armed forces made to the United Nations peace keeping operations in many countries around the world.

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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 and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

Industrialized Nations, Global Financial Institutions Support Pakistan’s Economic Development Strategy for FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas)

2007-10-22T13:22:00.000+05:00

Representatives from industrialized nations and global financial institutions, meeting on the margins of World Bank-IMF annual moot, discussed ways to complement efforts for socio-economic uplift of the mountainous tribal region of Pakistan as well as border areas of Afghanistan as they acknowledged the key importance of economic development in the region.

A presentation was made to the participants hailing from the United States, European Union, Canada, Japan and advanced Asian Pacific nations about Islamabad’s development plan, which aims at bringing socio-economic development to the areas with an outlay of $ 2.06 billion.

“The representatives were impressed with what Pakistan has done and the institutional arrangement it has put in place, and this should be a very successful plan for FATA” Dr. Salman Shah advisor to Prime Minister on Economic Affairs told APP after the conference. Under the plan, Pakistan will spend one billion $ over period of nine years (2006-15) while the United States has committed to provide $ 750 million over five years, which still leaves a gap of $ 250 million.

In his presentation, Dr. Shah spoke of the government’s commitment to economic well being of people in the rugged areas through realization of infrastructure and economic opportunities that may help the local populace integrate into the mainstream development of the country.

On mechanism for implementation of the development strategy, the participants were informed about the establishment of Civil Secretariat FATA, which will carry projects in human development sectors of education, health, water supply, sanitation and rural development. The FATA Development Authority established on a public-private partnership model will be responsible for execution of economic development sectors of industry, mining, commerce, trade, tourism and Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ), and Rural Support Programme through Civil Societies is to focus on poverty alleviation with a livelihood centered approach to mountain people progress. The G-8 is also looking at further enhancing their support to Pakistan Development Plan for its FATA region.

Notes:Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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 and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

REPUBLIQUE ET CANTON DE GENEVE Elections fédérales du 21 octobre 2007

2007-10-22T11:15:00.000+05:00

Le 21 octobre, les électrices et électeurs suisses désignent leurs représentants au Parlement fédéral. Celui-ci est constitué de deux chambres, le Conseil national, également appelé Chambre basse, et le Conseil des Etats, ou Chambre haute. Ces deux chambres sont dotées des mêmes compétences et égales en droit.
Le Conseil national, représentant le peuple, compte 200 élu-e-s. Chaque canton y dispose d'un nombre de représentant-e-s proportionnel à sa population. Onze sièges sont à repourvoir pour Genève. Le Conseil des Etats, aussi nommé Chambre des cantons, totalise quant à lui 46 sièges, soit deux par canton, à l'exception des demi-cantons qui n'en comptent qu'un seul.
L'élection de chacune de ces chambres se fait selon un mode de scrutin différent. Les règles d’élection du Conseil national sont fixées par le droit fédéral : les membres de cette chambre sont élus au système proportionnel. L’élection des conseillers aux Etats est réglée par le droit cantonal. A Genève, il s’agit d’une élection majoritaire, dont le seuil est fixé au tiers des suffrages exprimés. Un second tour est possible, si deux candidats n’atteignent pas ce seuil.
Pour mieux saisir les enjeux de ces élections, vous trouverez sur ces pages la liste complète des candidat-e-s au Conseil national et au Conseil des Etats, un glossaire ainsi qu'une présentation des deux systèmes électoraux en vigueur lors de ces scrutins.
Rendez-vous à Uni Mail pour vivre ces élections au contact des candidats et des médias et sur http://www.geneve.ch/ pour suivre les résultats en temps réel!

Elections 21.10.2007

Notes:

Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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 and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.

President Musharraf Approves Legal Framework Order to Extend Local Government System in Northern Areas of Pakistan

2007-10-21T14:08:00.000+05:00

President General Musharraf has approved the Legal Framework Order (LFO) on devolution of power at grass roots level and introduction of local government system in Northern Areas, historically the Aga Khan State. The President accorded approval to the LFO while presiding over a high-level meeting held in Rawalpindi on Saturday. Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Maj (r) Tahir Iqbal, Deputy Chief Executive Northern Areas Mir Ghazanfar Ali and high ranking officials attended the meeting to review development programme for Northern Areas including matters relating to LFO, Hydropower projects and other schemes.

Addressing the meeting, President Musharraf said Northern Areas would be brought at par with other parts of the country in terms of development, and quality of life of the people of these areas will be improved.

Speaking to media after the meeting Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas said that work was underway on formulation for installation of local government system in Northern Areas adding “we have given detailed briefing to the President at the meeting in this respect which he has graciously appreciated.” The power will be devolved at grassroots level in Northern Areas with the introduction of LFO there. Administration which rested with Minister for Kashmir Affairs as Chief Executive will be transferred to Deputy Chief Executive and elected local representatives of the people.

In the meantime President Musharraf issued orders for renovation of Gilgit and Skardu airports with instructions to enhance PIA flights for Northern Areas.

Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation, Geneva Peace Development Centre and Mountain Girls Education Development Program support development activities to enhance knowledge, conciliation, inter faith harmony, peace and global pluralism. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for His Highness Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 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 and wisdom among interpretations of the faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims.
The FATIMID, Geneva Peace, and MGEDP activities are focused to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in accordance with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan.