FE Report

Aga Khan, Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, will be visiting Bangladesh from 19th to 22nd this month. The state visit of the Aga Khan is taking place at a time when Ismailish all over the world, including those in Bangladesh, are celebrating the golden jubilee of the Aga Khan's leadership.

Aga Khan at the age of 20 succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan on July 11, 1957. He is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.

The head of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community is highly regarded in Bangladesh. During the visit he is expected to call on both the President and Chief Adviser and other dignitaries.

"Aga Khan, like his father, dedicated his leadership to the well-being of all Muslims, helping them overcome the challenges of tumultuous historical change," said Semin Abdullah, a high official of the Aga Khan Secretariat in France while talking to journalists in Dhaka on Wednesday.

One of the important events during the visit would be the opening of Aga Khan Academy at Bashundhara, Dhaka. "This will be one of 18 such academies in 13 countries specialised in high class education and training for teachers and students," said Semin.

The academies educate young men and women from pre-primary through higher secondary education, are located in key places of Africa and Asia. Semin Abdullah said the academies are network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the world to prepare young men and women to grasp opportunities in the future.

The Aga Khan academies' education is built on the framework of the internationally recognised International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) programmes. The IB is highly respected for the emphasis it places on critical thinking, active learning, and creative problem solving. It is also renowned for preparing students for admission to the best universities in their own countries and abroad, Semin added.