The diamond jubilee of global Shia spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, will be marked tomorrow in various parts of the globe, which his philanthropy body feels would also help "foster collaboration" between different people and faith communities around the world.
"July 11 begins a year of milestone announcements by the Aga Khan for a global commitment to partnerships based on the principles of ethics in action, peace and pluralism," the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) today said.
Tomorrow, Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini (the Aga Khan IV) will mark the 60th year as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the world's Shia Ismaili Muslims.
"In the continuingly turbulent times the world finds ourselves in, it is hoped that the diamond jubilee will also provide occasion to improve understanding of Islam and Muslim civilisations and foster collaboration between different peoples and faith communities around the world," the AKDN said in a statement.
This worldwide celebration brings together the global Ismaili community, partners of the AKDN, and government and faith community leaders in over 25 countries.
"The Aga Khan believes diversity should inspire, not divide, and that enhancing pluralism is a crucial building block for constructing peaceful and successful societies," it said.
The Aga Khan is the founder and chairman of the AKDN, which operates in over 30 countries principally in Central and South Asia, Eastern and Western Africa and the Middle East.
The Ismaili community resides in various parts of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vapi, Nagpur, Kolkata and Bengaluru among other places.
Projects of the AKDN in India include the restoration of the Humayun's Tomb by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), activities in areas of water conservation in Gujarat by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) and empowerment of adolescent women and early childhood development as well as sanitation initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF).
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