When you change somebody's habitation, you change their whole style of life.

You know in the past there has been a tendency to invest in physical assets and I think that this is beginning to change. There is a better understanding that man is an extraordinary creature, a creation, and that assisting him to become creative, productive within his national context, is the most productive thing an institution can do. And I am very happy to see institution like the World Bank are recognizing that more and more today.

What happens to the net disposable income of the population in an expanding economy. That is a critical issue. You can talk about GNP as long as you want. You can give me any figures you want on growth in GNP, that means nothing in relation to what is the actual effective net disposable income of the individual living within the society.

Faith is not, is not something which you can quantify.

The Imam must direct Ismailis on the practice of their religion and constantly interpret the Qur'an for them according to our theology. On the spiritual plane, the Imam's authority is absolute. Ismailis believe therefore that what the Imam says is the only true interpretation possible.

I am a Muslim and Muslims believe that all men are equal no matter what the colour of their skin and I am therefore fundamentally opposed to apartheid in any form. I would wish to emphasize that Islam is probably the most multi-racial faith existing.

Mon grand-père a été le premier à inciter les femmes à quitter le voile. Le Coran établit une nette différence entre les femmes-esclaves - celles qui n'existent que dans le regard des hommes, par leurs parures - et les femmes libres. Les femmes doivent être libres, de nos jours, responsables de leur conduite. Il n'est pas question de se cacher, pas plus que de se parer

Là où se trouve une communauté ismaélienne, il existe une commission de théologiens que se livre à ces recherches. Mais rien ne se décide sans moi... Notre religion est ésotérique, comprenez-vous? Elle est une perpétuelle initiation.

Tourism is the one way you can bring prosperity to a place that has nothing except undeveloped beauty.

Our belief is that the thing which separates man from the animals is his power of thought. Anything that impedes this process is wrong. Therefore alcohol is forbidden. Sunday Times interview 12 Dec. 1965