Aga Khan Development Network: Aga Khan and Colin Powell Open "Silk Road" Festival in Washington

Washington, DC, USA, 26 June 2002 - "A search for new forces of stability," was how His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims, today described one of the pressing needs of the moment in Central Asia. One such force "that seems particularly essential," he said, "is the validation and vigorous promotion of human and cultural pluralism ... For the new countries of Central Asia, the inherent pluralism of their societies can be an asset rather than a liability. In a wider sense, it can be a means for enlarging the frontiers of global pluralism... This is a goal, with which we can all associate and should all associate."

	His Highness the Aga Khan (left) and Secretary of State Colin Powell touring Samarkand Square, one of the main pavillions set up on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Silk Road and its culture. - Photo: AKDN/Zahur Ramji


	Yo-Yo Ma and members of the Silk Road Ensemble performing at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Secretary of State Colin Powell and His Highness the Aga Khan are seated at right. - Photo: AKDN/Zahur Ramji


	Khongorzul, accompanied by Amartuvshin on the morin khuur, performs at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian Folkilife Festival, while Secretary of State Colin Powell and His Highness the Aga Khan (right) look on. - Photo: AKDN/Zahur Ramji


	Secretary of State Colin Powell, His Highness the Aga Khan and Senator Edward Kennedy at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian Folkilife Festival. - Photo: AKDN/Zahur Ramji


	His Highness the Aga Khan speaking at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. - Photo: AKDN/Zahur Ramji