The last few years have brought a distressing polarisation between the industrialised nations and the Third World, between economic and political philosophies and within faiths. Such polarisation divides the rich nations from the poor, divides socialism from free enterprise, divides religious beliefs including my own faith

Well, the principal responsibilities of the Aga Khan are of course duties as the Imam of the Ismaili community. These duties are duties involved with religion and propagation of the principles. These are certainly directly connected with the Imam. But at the same time over history, over a period of years, my grandfather and his ancestors took upon themselves to help the community in the secular fields of life

Our 44th Holy Imam Abul Hassan Ali reigned on the Masnad of Imamat from A.H. 1143 to 1194. Imam Abul Hassan Ali took an active part in the governance of Iran at a time when the Safavi dynasty had come to an end and the new ruler Nadir Shah had taken over control. According to "Gulzar-e-Shamsh" Imam Abul Hassan Ali was born in Babak in Iran and was also known as Sayyed Shah Muhammad Hassanshah Hassanbeg. He lived in Kiyab, Iran and from there he arrived in Hindustan with Nadir Shah who also made Imam the ruler of Kerman district in Iran.

A fundamental premise of the AKDN is that development is a multifaceted process that must be approached from multiple perspectives and requires long-term engagement. The structure and approach of the Network is a response to this understanding of development. It is comprised of a number of agencies with specific mandates and expertise