http://www.coastweek.de/2729-09.htm
ISSUE NO. 2729
July 16 - July 22, 2004
Coastweek
Kenya

Coastweek - - Members of Ismaili Community Celebrated Imamat Day on 11th July 2004 at a colorful ceremony at the Aga Khan Sports club in Mombasa.

The Imamat day is celebrated world wide by Ismaili community to mark the day when His Highness the Aga Khan ascended to the office of Imamat 47 years ago in 1957.

The celebrations which were marked by march past by Ismaili ladies and gents volunteers, Band group followed by funfare was attended by dignitaries from other communities and organization, diplomats and Hon. Minister Najib Balala.

The chairman of the Council of Mombasa, Mr. Noorudin Tejpar highlighted the contributions made by Ismaili community under the leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan.

It is under his guidance that the Aga Khan Development Institutions were established and or strengthened in the last 47 years to offer services in the field of development.

Only Aga Khan Foundation alone spends about 117 million US dollars a year internationally for the benefit of the deprived and under privileged segment of local communities.

Similarly various other Institutions in the field of health, education and social welfare makes equivalent investment.

The Aga Khan Economic Fund for development employees over 18,000 people with assets of over 1.5 billion dollars aiming at stimulating the economic growth in the area of its operation.

Hon Najib balala appreciated the contribution of the Ismaili community in health and development. He particularly praised the leadership provided by His Highness the Aga Khan.

He underscore the need of the Muslim leadership to unite and contribute towards the development.

He emphasized the contribution by the Mombasa leadership of the Aga Khan community despite being in a small number.