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Aga Khan welcomed in Tajikistan-1998-09-24

Go To News Event: 
Event - 1998-09-24
Go To News Event: 
Event - 1998-09-24-A
Date: 
Thursday, 1998, September 24
Location: 
Source: 
BBC World Service
His Highness the Aga Khan walking amongst the crowd at a Mulaquat in Afghan Ishkashim, 27 September 1998. AKDN / Gary Ott

The leader of the world's Ismaili community, the Aga Khan, has been welcomed by thousands of his followers at the start of a visit to the Pamir mountains of eastern Tajikistan.

On his arrival at the region's only airport, the Aga Khan was given the traditional welcome -- he was offered salt and bread.

Later in the region's capital, Khorog, schoolchildren waved flowers and chanted songs in his honour.

The Ismaili community like other groups in Tajikistan has been severely affected by the civil war which followed independence.

But the Aga Khan has provided large amounts of food aid to the remote region, which the BBC Central Asia correspondent says saved many from virtual starvation.


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