Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Visit to East Africa

Thursday, 23 August 2007

In a day filled with anticipation and emotion, murids gathered at the Darkhana Jamatkhana of Kampala, for the Golden Jubilee Darbar. On this occasion, Yusuf Karmali, President of the Ismaili Council for Uganda, submitted a loyalty address on behalf of the Jamat.

After 12 days, Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to East Africa drew to a close. Leaders of the Ugandan Jamat gathered at Entebbe airport to bid farewell to Mawlana Hazar Imam, after an inspiring, joyous and historic Golden Jubilee visit to East Africa.

Wednesday, 22 August 2007

Situated in Munyonyo, the awe-inspiring lakeside location of the future Aga Khan Academy, Kampala, provided a picturesque venue for the foundation stone-laying ceremony that Mawlana Hazar Imam attended this morning, together with His Excellency Professor Gilbert Bukenya, Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda, and other dignitaries. Amongst the guests that Mawlana Hazar Imam met were the donor of the site on which the school will be built, Uganda’s world champion of the 3000-metre steeplechase, as well as other high achievers and athletes from Uganda.

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Tuesday, 21 August 2007

Arriving by helicopter, Mawlana Hazar Imam began the day in Jinja (some 80 kilometres from the capital, Kampala) at the site of the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Bujagali Hydroelectric Power Project. The Imam was joined by his brother, Prince Amyn, and his son, Prince Rahim, for a colourful ceremony set on the banks of the Nile and officiated by His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda. In his remarks, Mawlana Hazar Imam explained the notion of a “Complementary Agenda”, whereby environmental goals and economic goals are pursued simultaneously. In this respect, Hazar Imam noted the importance of developing reliable, renewable, and cost-effective sources of “clean” energy for sustainable development not only in Uganda, but “everywhere in the world”.

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In the evening, the Jamati Institutions of Uganda hosted a dinner in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam.

Monday, 20 August 2007

During the evening, Mawlana Hazar Imam flew back to Dar es Salaam, where the Imam hosted a dinner in honour of the President of Tanzania. Among the evening’s highlights was a performance by the renowned Tanzanian musician, Sal Davies, who sang a melodious tribute to Mawlana Hazar Imam on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee and as an expression of gratitude for the Imam’s work and continued efforts to improve quality of life for Tanzanians of all backgrounds. Following the dinner, Mawlana Hazar Imam flew back to Kampala.

Sunday, 19 August 2007

Mawlana Hazar Imam departed for Uganda, continuing his Golden Jubilee tour of East Africa. Upon arriving at Entebbe Airport, Hazar Imam was welcomed by Martin Aliker, Advisor to the President of Uganda; Yusuf Karmali, President of the Ismaili Council for Uganda; and Mahmood Ahmed, the AKDN Resident Representative of Uganda. Persistent rainfall did little to dampen the spirits of hundreds of Jamati members who had gathered at the airport to welcome Hazar Imam. Loud cheering filled the air when the Imam’s plane landed. And, as the motorcade left the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam waved continuously to the overjoyed and cheering crowd.

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Mawlana Hazar Imam then made a courtesy call to His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda at State House, after which the Imam was hosted by the Government of Uganda at an official luncheon.

Saturday, 18 August 2007

In the morning, Mawlana Hazar Imam flew to Zanzibar, where he was received by Hon. Dr. Mwinyihaji Makame, Zanibar’s Minister of State Planning and Finance. A ceremonial Guard of Honour and live performance of the Nashid al Imamah by the Police Band, welcomed Mawlana Imam, followed by a spectacle of cultural dances and musical performances.

At a State luncheon hosted in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Excellency President Amani Abeid Karume of Zanzibar presented the Imam with a traditional Zanzibar chest. In expressing his gratitude for the Government’s warm reception, Mawlana Hazar Imam commented that he hoped the future would bring increased collaboration between the Government of Zanzibar and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Later in the day, Mawlana Hazar Imam returned to Dar es Salaam and met with His Excellency President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania at State House, where an official collection of commemorative postage stamps, marking the Imam’s Golden Jubilee, were formally unveiled. In the evening, President Kikwete hosted a State dinner in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam.

Friday, 17 August 2007

Today, thousands of murids gathered in Dar es Salaam and were graced with Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Holy Deedar. On this occasion, Zahir Jivani, President of the Ismaili Council for Tanzania, submitted a loyalty address on behalf of the Jamat.

During the evening, Mawlana Hazar Imam was the Guest of Honour at a reception hosted by the Jamati Institutions of Tanzania. In the Imam’s presence, Ismaili children performed traditional Tanzanian and South Asian dances, representing some of the cultures within the Tanzanian Jamat. On behalf of the Jamati Institutions of Tanzania, President Jivani presented to Mawlana Hazar Imam a token gift consisting of a Masai family carved from a single piece of ebony – symbolizing the Jamat’s unity and brotherhood.

Thursday, 16 August 2007

This morning, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Dar es Salaam, (Haven of Peace), to commemorate the Golden Jubilee year with his Tanzania Jamat. Mawlana Hazar Imam was welcomed at the Julius K. Nyerere International Airport by the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Joseph James Mungai, leaders of the Jamat and AKDN, together with hundreds of members of the Jamat. He received a salute by a ceremonial Guard of Honour, while the Tanzania Army band played the Nashid al Imamah. Traditional Ngoma dances and a performance staged by Ismaili children rounded off this memorable welcome to Tanzania.

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Mawlana Hazar Imam paid a courtesy call on the Vice-President, His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein at the State House. The streets of Dar es Salaam were lined with numerous well wishers welcoming the Imam to Tanzania.

Wednesday, 15 August 2007

Today, in a day eagerly anticipated, Mawlana Hazar Imam graced the first Darbar of the Golden Jubilee year, in Nairobi, Kenya. In a gathering of thousands of murids, the Jamat of Kenya was joined by others from across the world. On this occasion, President Zul Abdul of the Ismaili Council for Kenya submitted a loyalty address on behalf of the Kenya Jamat.

This evening, Mawlana Hazar Imam was guest of honour at a dinner reception hosted by the Jamati Institutions in Kenya.

Tuesday, 14 August 2007

Today, Mawlana Hazar Imam travelled to Mombasa for the day and was greeted by hundreds of members of the Jamat at the airport. He attended a ceremony commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Aga Khan Foundation’s Madrasa Early Childhood Education Programme, which was initiated during the Silver Jubilee year. In the afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam together with Professor Saitoti, Kenyan Minister for Education, laid the foundation of the Residential Campus of the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa.

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This evening, Mawlana Hazar Imam hosted a Banquet in honour of His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya. Numerous Government Ministers and senior Diplomats also attended this event.

Monday, 13 August 2007

Continuing his East African visit, this morning Mawlana Hazar Imam met with His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya at the State House.

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During the afternoon, Mawlana Hazar Imam and Professor Saitoti, Kenyan Minister of Education formally launched the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Aga Khan University.

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This evening, His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya hosted a State Banquet in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam at the State House. During the event, President Kibaki bestowed Mawlana Hazar Imam with Kenya’s highest medal of honour, The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart. He paid tribute to Mawlana Hazar Imam’s leadership and commended the work of the Aga Khan Development Network. In receiving the award, Mawlana Hazar Imam acknowledged the support of the Government of Kenya in the various projects of the AKDN in Kenya.

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Sunday, 12 August 2007

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived today in Kenya for a tour of East Africa; his first official visit of the Golden Jubilee. He will be visiting Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, at the invitation of the respective governments. He was met at the airport by Honourable Raphael Tuju, Kenya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and leaders of the AKDN and the Jamat in Kenya. Hundreds of members of the Jamat, filled with eagerness and excitement gathered at the airport and lined the streets around the Darkhana Jamatkhana to welcome Mawlana Hazar Imam to the country on this happy occasion.