DUSHANBE, October 29, 2008, Asia-Plus — His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is expected to arrive in Dushanbe on Friday October 31, on a 6-day official visit to Tajikistan, according to AKDN Tajikistan.
The Aga Khan’s visit comes at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and is one of many being undertaken to commemorate his Golden Jubilee as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. His Highness succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as Imam on 11 July 1957.
During his trip, the Aga Khan will meet with President Emomali Rahmon as well as other government officials.
Discussions will include topics of mutual interest such as the ongoing partnerships between the Government of Tajikistan and the AKDN in the areas of educational, social, and economic development. He will also visit current AKDN construction projects in the capital of Dushanbe, including the Serena Hotel and the Ismaili Center.
The Aga Khan will continue to Gorno-Badakhshan, where he will meet with members of the Ismaili community. He will visit AKDN project sites in the region, including the Khorog Park, which is currently being rehabilitated by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, as well as the School for Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) of the University of Central Asia (UCA).
The Aga Khan’s visit to Tajikistan is part of a 10-day trip to Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; all three countries signed an international treaty establishing the UCA in 2000. In Kazakhstan, he will meet with President Nursultan Nazarbayev and other Government ministers as well as visit sites of the UCA main campus and SPCE in Tekeli. In Kyrgyzstan, the Aga Khan will meet with senior government representatives and will travel to Naryn to review the main campus site of the UCA and the construction of the new Town Campus that will house SPCE.
