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

2007, July 17: Cairo's Governor, H.E. Dr. Abdel Azim Wazir, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture's General Manager, Mr. Luis Monreal, today signed an historic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) linking Al-Azhar Park, a future 'Urban Plaza' project at the northern end of the Park, and ongoing work by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Darb al-Ahmar. [AKDN]

2007, October 25:Egypt's Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni and Prince Karim Aga Khan, the current Shi'a Imam, will inaugurate two Islamic complex of Khayer Bek and Um El-Soltan Shaban at Al-Darbul Ahmar area in Historic Cairo. The two have been restored in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The Minister and his guests will embark on a tour to inspect the restoration work. [Inauguration]

2007, October 26:In a ceremony here today, His Highness the Aga Khan, His Excellency Farouk Hosni, Egypt's Minister of Culture, Dr. Abdel Azim Wazir, the Governor of Cairo, inaugurated the restoration and revitalisation of two historic complexes in the city's Darb al-Ahmar district. [Press Release] [Speech]

Your Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister, Your Excellency the Governor of Cairo, Distinguished guests

Madame Mubarak, Your Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Guests

Mawlana Hazar Imam on Monday 10th December, 1990 signed a Protocol of Agreement on behalf of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture with the Governor of Cairo H.E. Mahmoud Sherif for the creation of a public park in one of historic Cairo's last remaining open spaces.

Le parc public d'Al-Azhar a fait revenir les oiseaux au coeur historique de la gigantesque et étouffante capitale. Offert à la ville par l'Agha Khan, il fait aussi le pari d'insuffler une nouvelle vie économique aux quartiers voisins.LAURENCE D'HONDT DE RETOUR DU CAIRE

Most urban areas have one - an area that is a sort of no-man's land where no-one lives and which becomes ever more rundown.In Cairo this was the case of the land adjoining the Darb al-Ahmar district. For almost a millennium assorted dust, debris and rubbish was piled up along the eastern rim of Cairo's medieval city walls.
Even though it lies close to the popular sites of medieval Cairo, the area was off the tourist track, blighted by prowling drug dealers and stranded between the Salah Salim highway and the City of the Dead.

On summer nights in downtown Cairo, the streets seethe with people in such numbers that the cars, for once, have to stop for them.Cairenes aren't out shopping, since most are broke. They're out breathing (or trying to) amid earsplitting, noxious traffic. The Nile bridges are favorite promenades, the river ensuring cooler air; some families even picnic there, their backs to the stream of cars.

The opening of the largest public park in the region has been delayed until fall, but residents of Cairo?s Darb Al-Ahmar district are already reaping the benefitsPICKING OUT A PRESENT for the city of Cairo is like shopping for that aunt who has absolutely everything: The nation?s capital is so jam-packed with things that what the Agha Khan, the spiritual figurehead of the Ismailis, thought it really needed was space.

Your Excellency the Governor
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am very, very happy to be here this morning to be able to express to you my warm and deep gratitude for everything that you all have done to make this Park become a reality.
The existence of the Park is proof of brotherhood, proof of aspiration towards moving towards a common goal which is to create in Cairo a place which is beautiful where all generations could find happiness and peace, where all people from different economic levels could feel comfortable as they perambulate throughout this space.

The Aga Khan has announced a grant of $320,000 for medical equipment by the Om Habibeh Foundation, established by the Aga Khan's late step grandmother, Om Habibeh, Begum Sultan Mahmood Shah Aga Khan.Following a meeting with governor of Aswan, H.E. Samir Hasnain, the Aga Khan announced the grant as part of a series of new development initiatives to benefit the people of Aswan, says a press release.