Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

Act may cause Ismailis to leave S.A. - Aga Khan

Date: 
Friday, 1958, May 16
Location: 
Source: 
Newspaper
South Africa Newspaper
Author: 
Staff Reporter

Prince Karim, 21-year-old Aga Khan, said in Johannesburg yesterday that South African ismailis were "keeping in mind" the possibility of leaving South Africa and going to some other country "where they can live their normal lives"

The 300 South African Ismailis - most of whom were traders - were worried about the Group Areas Act and the way it would affect their trading opportunities.

MINISTER'S STATEMENT

He had discussed the Act with the Minister of External Affairs Mr. E.H. Louw, and the Minister of the Interior, Dr. T.E.. Donges. Dr. Donges had assured him that the application of the Act would be "fair to all communities."

Unlike his late horse-loving grandfather, the Aga Khan has no time for horse-racing. He said his father was looking after the late Aga Khan's stable.

Prince Karim's relaxations are rowing, ice-hockey and skiing.

One of the big problems at the moment is that he may not be able to finish his B.A. degree in Oriental Studies at Harvard University.

He said he would like to come back to South Africa. This depended on his future plans. He may continue his tour of Ismaili communities, visiting Syria, the Lebanon and Iraq. He still had to make the "big decision"


Back to top