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

There's the stereotype of the Muslim woman -- silent and withdrawn behind her veil, obsequious when called upon, unable to think for herself, much less drive a car.
And then there's Shabnam Lutafali. Besides being a devout Muslim, the Pakistan native is a doctor of economics and a professor at the University of Houston-Downtown. She also serves as the president of the Southwest regional board for the Ismaili Muslims, followers of the Aga Khan.

Like most Ismailis, Lutafali believes that being Muslim and being a competent, active woman are not mutually exclusive.

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman, in a historic visit to Afghanistan, today announced that USDA intends to donate $5 million of U.S. agricultural commodities under the Food for Progress Program. Veneman also announced the first Cochran Fellowship Program with Afghanistan to provide short-term, U.S.-based training for eight Afghan women to study agricultural finance.

Spiritual Leader of the Ismailis, Prince Karim Aha Khan called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here at the Prime Minister House on Sunday and discussed the regional and international situation.He congratulated the Prime Minister on his successful tour of SAARC countries.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz briefed Prince Karim Aga Khan about his recent dialogue process with Indian leadership and said Pakistan wanted peace and stability in the region and willing to resolve all the disputes including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir peacefully in accordance with the aspiration of Kashmiris.

Belgian Jockey Christophe Soumillon (R), horse trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre (C) and the Aga Khan hold their trophies after their horse Dalakhani won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamps horse track, near Paris, October 5, 2003. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a group one race for three-year-old and upwards colts and fillies, run over one and a half mile (2.4 km). REUTERS/Philippe WojazerThe Aga Khan's Dalakhani ridden by Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon is first past the post at Longchamp, to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, ahead of 25-1 outsider Mubtakerl.(AFP/Daniel Janin)

Son Altesse l'Aga Khan, chef spirituel des musulmans ismailis chiites, a clôturé sa visite officielle au Mali le 13 octobre dernier avec la signature d'un accord au terme duquel le Réseau Aga Khan de développement (RAKD) s'attachera à lancer de nouvelles initiatives dans ce pays et en Afrique de l'Ouest.
A Tombouctou, il a été reçu par les imams des différentes mosquées de la ville et il a pu examiner la collection de manuscrits du centre Ahmed Baba et observer la procédure de numérisation de ces trésors.

If University of Toronto education students get a 'holier than thou' feeling from their convocation speaker this year, it's only because it is his Highness, the Aga Khan, a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammed.
The Muslim spiritual leader will be in Toronto on Friday to receive an honorary doctor of laws from the university for his 'outstanding contributions to community service, higher education and philanthropy,' university officials said.

His Highness the Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.

Islamabad, May 4 (NNN) : It was the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community in Pakistan, Prince Karim Aga Khan, who led the backdoor diplomatic efforts to break the Indo-Pak impasse, according to newspaper reports here.
At least two knowledgeable ruling politicians and a few senior Pakistani officials are crediting intense background efforts of Aga Khan for the diplomatic breakthrough between Islamabad and New Delhi that in the past few days again ignited hope of a durable peace.

Au

Previously unreleased evidence is to be aired in a television documentary about the disappearance of champion racehorse Shergar. Paul Kelso reports from London.The kidnapping of the champion racehorse Shergar was an ill-conceived and poorly executed shambles, according to previously unreleased evidence in a television documentary to be screened next week.
Shergar was kidnapped in 1983 by an IRA gang that demanded a

08 November 2005 04:17http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4417072.stm
Mail & Guardian Online
Kabul, Afghanistan
President Hamid Karzai officially opened the most luxurious hotel in destitute Afghanistan on Tuesday, with the five-star Kabul Serena touted as a means to lure investors and dollar-spending tourists.

The $36,5-million hotel, opposite the heavily fortified presidential palace, is an almost-total overhaul of the once-famous Kabul Hotel that was badly damaged in the 1992-1996 civil war that destroyed much of the capital.

the President of Tadzhikistan Emomali rakhmonov accepted prince shokh karim Agakhan IV. In the friendly and sincere situation were examined series of questions, connected with the collaboration the governments of republic Tadzhikistan with the fund For agakhan. 'our two-way communications, noted the President of Tadzhikistan Emomali Of rakhmonov, are very fruitful. In particular discovery is bridge between the republic Tadzhikistan the state Afghanistan, strengthen the economic relationships of the countries of region and are the important basic factor of interrelations '.

The Dushanbe [the Tajik capital] office of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will realize three projects to improve the educational sphere in Tajikistan, in cooperation with the Aga Khan Fund, Open Society Institute-Assistance Fund [of the Soros Foundation], Save the Children (USA), Save the Children (United Kingdom) and the Zdrav/Plus.

Aga Khan praise for 'a real champion'Christophe Soumillon, jockey Dalakhani: 'It's a race I wanted to win throughout my apprenticeship and it's unbelievable to ride a horse like him. He's a real champion and I love him so much.'

Am Freitagabend wurde vor dem Deutschen Historischen Museum mal wieder der Teppich für eine Wohlt

Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov of Tajikistan received the head of the Aga Khan Foundation, Prince Amin Aga Khan [son of Karim Aga Khan IV, leader of the world Ismailis], today.During the talks, they mostly touched upon and exchanged views on issues of mutually beneficial cooperation with this foundation in Tajikistan. The prime minister said that the agreements are being implemented which were signed during Prince Karim Al Husayni's official visit to Tajikistan.

Dalakhani maintained his 100 per cent record with a smooth victory in the Prix Lupin at Longchamp.The Aga Khan colt, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, came through with a perfectly-timed run inside the final furlong to beat another French-trained colt, Super Celebre, with Aidan O'Brien's Alberto Giacometti third.Pacemaker Balestrini was pushed into the lead of this Group One race after a few strides, followed by Dalakhani's stable companion Diyapour.

THE Aga Khan has been a great lover of Irish racing all through his life. He showed that love is no uncertain fashion with his amazing multimillion euro gift to Irish racing this month.
He bought a hotel at the back of the present Curragh stands for an estimated 15 to 20 million euro and presented the whole area occupied by that hotel to the Irish Turf Club, the owners of the Curragh racecourse. This purchase enables Horse Racing Ireland to make the Curragh one of the real gems of the sport in the world.

H H Prince Karim Agha Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and world-renowned philanthropist is scheduled to visit Chitral on the 4th Dec.This is his first visit in 16 years to the area where he has over 140,000 followers.

As an overcast sky over Chitral clears up early morning, HH Prince Karim Aga Khan is to depart for Chitral from Islamabad to reach here at 0945 Hrs. From the Airport he would fly in a Helicopter to Garam Chashma where he would address a large gathering of his followers. He would then proceed to Booni where an even larger gathering of his faithful awaits him enthusiastically.

H H Prince Karim Aga Khan left Chitral in a satisfied disposition reports our correspondent. Our correspondents at Garam Chashma and Booni say the Aga khan told his followers to live with goodwill and in harmony with their other Muslim brethren. He asked his Developmental Organizations to work for the betterment of all Chitralis alike irrespective of their communal affiliations.He said if the present congenial atmosphere prevails, he would enhance the organizations working in the Health, Education, Agriculture and other sectors.