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

Chitral .. The scheduled visit to Chitral of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of twenty million Ismaili Muslims is awaited with much reverence and enthusiasm in this highland district.

The Aga Khan is not only holy to the Ismailis but muslims from all sects respect and regard him as a benevolent personality who has served humanity in his capacity without any discrimination.

He has always presented a pleasant and amicable face of Islam in international forums.

CHITRAL: Preparations are in full swing here for receiving Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th Imam of Ismaili Muslim community, who is scheduled to arrive in the second week of December in connection with the golden jubilee celebrations of his Imamat.

A source in the Ismaili regional council of Chitral, requesting not to be named, told this scribe that the followers of Ismaili sect would have a sight of their spiritual leader in Booni and Garam Chashma, for which two Didaar Gaahs (place of sighting) were near completion.

2008.March 21: : According to Chitral News issue of this day, Spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community, H. H. Prince Karim Aga Khan is likely to visit Chitral and Northern Areas, later next month tentatively, it was learnt from sources here. The visit would be in connection with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of his Imamat. The Aga Khan would also call on the President and Prime minister of Pakistan to discuss matters of mutual interest. (CN report).

A function was held to celebrate the Ashden Award received by AKRSP Chitral in London, at a Local Hotel here. DCO Chitral Presided over the function while District Nazim Shahzada Muhyuddin was the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion the Chief Guest congratulated AKRSP and the communities involved in establishing micro hydels on receiving Ashden award. It was a great achievement for AKRSP and its attached Communities and honor for Chitral and Pakistan, he said.

Jashn-e-Nowroze was celebrated in the upper part of the district, which marks the arrival of the new year and spring season. The festival is of Iranian origin and is celebrated in the Ismaili majority areas of Mastuj, Laspur, Yarkhoon, Khot, Rech, Karimabad and Lotkoh valleys on 21st March. The main feature of the festival is general cleanliness of the houses, exchange of gifts and merry-making of different natures including musical concerts. Different games are played by the youth-folk while the elders pay visits to their relatives and friends.

People from different walks of life have welcomed the proposed visit of the Agha Khan to Chitral on 4th Dec. Talking to Chitral news Mian Asif Ali Shah member Gemstone Association Chitral said the Agha khan's visit should be a turning point to solve the back breaking communication problems being faced by the people of Chitral for the last 56 years. He appealed to the Agha Khan to help in the construction of the Lowari tunnel and for the time the Lowari tunnel remains closed institute a helicopter service between Chitral and Dir to facilitate traveling for the people of this area.

(Chitral 21 Nov 03) H H Prince Karim Agha Khan,the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and world renowned philanthropist would pay a one day visit to Chitral in the first week of December, it was reliably learned here. It is expected that the Aga khan would announce a mega project for the socio economic uplift of Chitral, possibly assistance in the construction of the Lowari Tunnel.

H H Prince Karim Agha Khan,the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and world renowned philanthropist would pay a one day visit to Chitral in the first week of December, it was reliably learned here. It is expected that the Aga khan would announce a mega project for the socio economic uplift of Chitral, possibly assistance in the construction of the Lowari Tunnel.

As an overcast sky over Chitral clears up early morning, HH Prince Karim Aga Khan is to depart for Chitral from Islamabad to reach here at 0945 Hrs. From the Airport he would fly in a Helicopter to Garam Chashma where he would address a large gathering of his followers. He would then proceed to Booni where an even larger gathering of his faithful awaits him enthusiastically.

H H Prince Karim Aga Khan left Chitral in a satisfied disposition reports our correspondent. Our correspondents at Garam Chashma and Booni say the Aga khan told his followers to live with goodwill and in harmony with their other Muslim brethren. He asked his Developmental Organizations to work for the betterment of all Chitralis alike irrespective of their communal affiliations.He said if the present congenial atmosphere prevails, he would enhance the organizations working in the Health, Education, Agriculture and other sectors.

Over the years ahead, we will be working together to change the quality and nature of the economy of Chitral.'
Addressing gatherings totalling over 120,000 in rugged yet spectacular mountain settings in this remote corner of Northern Pakistan, His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, on Friday pledged to assist the population to look for new opportunities to improve the quality of their lives.