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

One of world's wealthiest men, leader of Ismaili Muslims focuses on local projects to enhance sustainable developmt.
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, has been called one of the world's wealthiest men and is a seasoned philanthropist, but he is doing more than giving his millions away in developing countries. The spiritual leader of 15 million Shiite Ismaili Muslims spread over 25 nations, the Aga Khan is changing the face of global philanthropy by establishing innovative ventures and providing microfinance for small-scale enterprises through economic development institutions.

Maintaining his special interest in Muslim countries, the Aga Khan has recently begun to expand his activities in the Middle East. A series of major historic conservation and urban redevelopment projects are under way in Cairo and new educational initiatives have been set up in the Gulf and in Lebanon. This past March, his Aga Khan Development Network began a micro-credit program in Syria, in conjunction with the Syrian Health Ministry and the governorates of Aleppo, Hama and Tartous. The objective, as in micro-credit schemes elsewhere, is to stimulate income-generating activities in poor areas and promote small-scale agricultural and industrial enterprises. In keeping with the Aga Khan's intense interest in revitalizing Islam's architectural heritage, the Network is involved in major restoration and conservation work in and around three historic citadels in Syria, enhancing significantly the potential for cultural tourism.

The idea is to spur economic development at the grassroots and lessen what the Aga Khan calls 'aid dependence.' In the process, he's making everyday people more affluent