Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims today retraced the footsteps of scholars and merchants whose journeys across the Sahara once helped establish a major cultural and commercial crossroads in this medieval city. Walking through the sand-swept alleys of this ancient seat of learning to the 14th century Djingereiber Mosque, the Aga Khan, accompanied by Mali's Prime Minster Ahmed Mohamed Ag Hamani, spoke of the need for cultural revitalisation to be linked to focused investment in the social sector and carefully planned economic development. In Mali on an official visit at the invitation of its Government, the Aga Khan has, over the past two days, held extensive discussions with President Amadou Toumani Toure and members of his Government in Bamako on the scope for expanding the Aga Khan Development Network's presence.