Tehran, Iran, 12 January 2004 - His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, has made a contribution of €400,000 to the Iranian government for rehabilitation assistance to the victims of the earthquake that struck Bam over two weeks ago.

Confirming the contribution, the Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Iran, Dr. Nouraddin Allahdini referred to the message sent to President Mohammad Khatami on the 26th December in which the Aga Khan said that he was deeply distressed to learn of the massive loss of life, serious injuries and damage to property resulting from the earthquake and expressed his prayer that the worst effects of the calamity would be speedily mitigated. The Aga Khan also conveyed, on behalf of the Ismaili Muslim community worldwide, his deep sympathy to the Government and people of Iran.

The Aga Khan Development Network is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people of all faiths and origins, in specific regions of the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. The mandates of the Network’s agencies range from the fields of health and education to architecture, restoration, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise. Through its emergency relief affiliate, Focus Humanitarian Assistance, the Network has also been involved in disaster response and in creating local capacity for the prevention, management and preparedness for natural disasters. The Network’s underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society and its agencies and institutions work for the common good of all citizens, regardless of origin, gender or religion.

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