Golden Jubilee : Visits : Central Asia visit

Central Asia visit



Mawlana Hazar Imam visits Central Asia and lays the foundation for the “Jewel of the Pamir”


Nestled in a landscape of snow-capped mountains, crystal blue lakes, and mineral-rich valleys, Central Asia is a region of activity and vitality, a characteristic it exemplified during the times of the Silk Route. Located at the intersection of East and West, the region is home to a significant portion of the global Jamat. Having emerged only recently as independent states from the former Soviet Union, many of the nations of Central Asia are struggling with the challenges of their developing economies and focusing on improving their citizens’ quality of life.
In October 2008, Mawlana Hazar Imam undertook a memorable 10-day visit to the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The purpose of the visit was to meet with the Jamat, as well as with key government and civil society leaders, and review some of the current and planned investments which are intended to assist the region in its progression towards peace, stability and prosperity.
Mawlana Hazar Imam meets with His Excellency President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the Presidential Palace. Photo: Gary Otte

Beginning in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with President Nursultan Nazarbayev at his palace and later with Prime Minister Karim Massimov and Foreign Minister Marat Tahzin. Accompanied by the Minister of Education, Dr Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Mawlana Hazar Imam then flew to the south-eastern city of Taldy Kurgan and travelled by road to Tekeli to visit the site of the future campus of the University of Central Asia (UCA). At a small yet symbolic ceremony, title deeds for the campus’ lands were presented by Akim (Mayor) Sultan Busembinov of the Eskeldinski Rayon (district), to Dr Bohdan Krawchenko, the University’s Director General. Mawlana Hazar Imam next visited the UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) at the Tekeli town campus. Following the visit, Akim Serik Umbetov of the Almaty Oblast, hosted a luncheon where Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with a ceremonial robe of honour, traditional Kazakh headgear and a string musical instrument, traditionally known as a dombra.
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s extraordinary and unwavering commitment to the development of the mountain societies of Central Asia was evident throughout his visit. “We will seek to improve, all of us together, the quality of the environment in which we live, bringing clean water to everywhere where the people live, bringing energy to all the places where people live, improving the schools and health facilities, improving and restoring our historic buildings which are representations today of our cultural history,” Mawlana Hazar Imam remarked at the foundation-stone ceremony of the first purpose-built Jamatkhana and Centre in Gorno-Badakhshan.
Upon arriving in Dushanbe, Mawlana Hazar Imam is joined by the First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan, the country’s Foreign Minister and the AKDN Resident Representative. Photo: Gary Otte

The next leg of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit was to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Mawlana Hazar Imam was received at the airport by First Deputy Prime Minister Asadullo Ghulomov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hamrokhon Zarifi, along with AKDN and Jamati leadership. He later met with President Emomali Rahmon and discussed recent developments in the country and the region. Later, Mawlana Hazar Imam hosted a reception for diplomats and senior government officials at the State Dacha.
Mawlana Hazar Imam reviewed the progress of the construction projects underway in Dushanbe, starting with soon-to-be completed Ismaili Centre Dushanbe. Situated near the centre of the capital, on the prominent Ismoili Somoni Avenue, the Centre’s design resonates with architectural traditions of Central Asia. Inspired by the mausoleum of Ismoili Somoni in neighbouring Uzbekistan, and dedicated to a Tajik national hero, the Centre’s façade and interior are constructed with over 2.6 million bricks from Samarkand. As Mawlana Hazar Imam toured the site with the architect and construction team, he marvelled at the meticulous tile work and the artistry of the beautifully woven carpets that would soon adorn the Centre.
Mawlana Hazar Imam next visited the construction site of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel, amidst scores of Jamati members lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the Imam. The first Serena hotel in Central Asia will join the chain of landmark hotels around the world, and contribute to the country’s efforts to become a more viable tourist and business destination. Mawlana Hazar Imam also visited potential sites of the proposed Aga Khan Academy Dushanbe.
As part of a traditional Pamiri welcome, flower petals are showered along the red-carpeted path laid out for Mawlana Hazar Imam. Photo: Moez Visram

The official Imamat programme to the capital concluded as Mawlana Hazar Imam left for Khorog, some 600 kilometres away. Located in the Gorno-Badakhshan region, home to the majestic Pamir Mountains, often referred to as the “Roof of the World”, Khorog is where the majority of the Tajik Jamat lives. Upon his arrival, Mawlana Hazar Imam received the most colourful of welcomes: members of the Jamat sang and danced with joy, while girls clad in elegant red and white Tajik dresses tossed rose petals and young children recited poems of devotion. The streets were lined with murids as far as the eye could see, proudly waving flags to welcome their Imam.
The following morning, Mawlana Hazar Imam laid the foundation-stone for the first purpose-built Jamatkhana and Centre in Gorno-Badakhshan. The historic event was witnessed by thousands of murids in the presence of First Deputy Prime Minister Ghulomov, Qodiri Qosim, Governor of Gorno-Badakhshan, and Munshi Abdul Majeed, Governor of Afghan-Badakhshan. The Imam’s happiness and pride were evident as he said, “It is my hope that the town of Khorog will become the Jewel of the Pamir. The gem cutter, the person who prepares the jewel, cuts it and polishes it and cuts it and polishes it until he has fashioned the gem stone into a stone of absolute purity with no clouding, absolute purity.”
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s message conveyed a remarkable vision for the city of Khorog, the country and indeed, the region as a whole. Located on the Gunt River, the Khorog Jamatkhana and Centre will be of the highest quality, thoughtful in its use of space, rich in the symbolism of its design and built for use by generations to come. Its design draws inspiration from the vernacular architecture of the area, using local materials and construction techniques.
Mawlana Hazar Imam is joined by senior government, AKDN and Jamati leaders, on a walking tour of the Khorog Park, a project of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Photo: Gary Otte

Following the ceremony, Mawlana Hazar Imam walked through the neighbouring Khorog Park, a rehabilitation project of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The park features a pond, restaurants, a local crafts centre, and an open-air theatre. Its beautifully landscaped gardens and tall poplar trees provide a distinct natural backdrop for the park’s stone stairways, footpaths and children’s play area. “Today we have a new park in Khorog, inshallah we will build the University of Central Asia, we will build this Centre, and while working together, step by step, we will make Khorog the Jewel of the Pamir,” Mawlana Hazar Imam remarked.
Once again, Mawlana Hazar Imam expressed his interest in reviewing the progress of the UCA, by concluding his day with a visit to the SPCE’s Vocational Training Centre where he met with students and instructors.
Approximately 100 kilometres south of Khorog city, thousands of murids had gathered overnight in Ishkashim, sitting silently, braving the cold in anticipation of the first Darbar in Tajikistan in 10 years. It was a sea of the most vibrant colours one could imagine – red, orange, blue, green, yellow extending over a vast plain. As Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival approached, grey clouds seemed miraculously to disappear, clearing the way for a helicopter landing amidst bright blue skies. The Jamat’s love for the Imam was expressed everywhere - high up on the Pamir Mountains that surrounded the Darbar site, as well as on the steep mountainsides, where stones, painted in white, were meticulously placed, welcoming and announcing Golden Jubilee Mubarak and Golden Jubilee 1957-2007.
In an emotional gesture made before departing the Darbar site, Mawlana Hazar Imam walked to the bank of the Pyanj River and waved to the Afghan murids across the border. The next day, Mawlana Hazar Imam granted a second Darbar in the village of Porshinev, a few kilometres downstream from Khorog city. Over 100,000 murids gathered from the region, in what was yet another historic and memorable Darbar.
Before departing Khorog city, Mawlana Hazar Imam held a joint meeting with the Governors of the Tajik and Afghan sides of Badakhshan and attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the Governor of Gorno-Badakhshan. Mawlana Hazar Imam bid farewell to the Jamat of Badakhshan in a solemn departure ceremony before returning to Dushanbe. At the airport, Mawlana Hazar Imam was met by the President, who presented him with traditional Tajik garbs, a gesture acknowledging the significance of the historic Golden Jubilee visit to Tajikistan.
The AKDN Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, Nurjehan Mawani, bids farewell to Mawlana Hazar Imam at Manas International Airport. Photo: Gary Otte

Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Central Asia visit concluded with a visit to Kyrgyzstan, where he was received at the airport in Bishkek by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ednan Karabaev, other senior government officials and AKDN representatives. Later in the evening, Prime Minister Igor Chudinov hosted a dinner in honour of Mawlana Hazar Imam. The next day, the Prime Minister accompanied Mawlana Hazar Imam to the town of Naryn to review the progress of the UCA campus on the Naryn River. Hundreds of UCA students waving flags warmly received the dignitaries. Before leaving, Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Prime Minister met faculty, staff and students of SPCE.
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit to Central Asia was a reflection of his concern and a strong desire, through the AKDN, to support one of the most highly marginalised and vulnerable regions of the developing countries. With the establishment of the Imamat institutions and Jamatkhanas in the region, it is the vision of Mawlana Hazar Imam to build on strong foundations of culture and heritage, history and tradition, and community and independence to craft the Jewel of the Pamirs.
The University of Central Asia


In all three countries of Central Asia, Mawlana Hazar Imam spent time reviewing the progress of the University of Central Asia’s campuses.
The university was founded in 2000 by the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and Mawlana Hazar Imam to address the unique educational, economic and cultural needs of Central Asia's transition economies, with particular consideration for its mountain communities. The International Treaty and Charter establishing this secular, private university was signed by Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, ratified by the respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations.
Since then, the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) (established in 2006), has enrolled over 7,000 students in courses such as English for Business, Accounting, Information Technology, Entrepreneurship, Mountain Tour Operating, and an apprenticeship-based programme in the construction trades. The Aga Khan Humanities Project at UCA is actively engaged with some 7,400 students at 24 universities and 3 lyceums in Central Asia, working with their instructors to instill the values of pluralism, ethics and humanities into education. In partnership with the Aga Khan Music Initiative for Central Asia, UCA is also exploring the history of musical traditions in Central Asia. UCA’s Central Asian Faculty Development Programme sends aspiring young academics to leading universities abroad, including Cambridge and the National University of Singapore, to ensure that scholars from Central Asia with top international academic credentials are strongly represented in the University’s faculty.
UCA’s main campuses are being designed by the internationally acclaimed architect Arata Isozaki. Each campus will house excellent academic, athletic and residential facilities, surrounded by landscaped parks – creating unique learning environments. Site preparation and preliminary construction works have started at all three of UCA's campus sites.
UCA's Graduate School of Development will offer master’s studies in natural resource management, education policy, environmental science, public administration, tourism, and entrepreneurship. UCA's School of Arts and Science will provide a liberal arts undergraduate programme, offering interdisciplinary training in the natural, social and physical sciences.