Tanzania · 15 October 2017 · 3 min
First Day Cover stamps commemorate his Diamond Jubilee
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 13 October 2017 – His Highness the Aga Khan departed Tanzania yesterday after a two day visit at the invitation of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. John P. Magufuli.
The Minister of Defence and National Service, Hon. Hussein Mwinyi and Regional Commissioner for Dar es Salaam, Hon. Paul Makonda accompanied the Aga Khan to his departure at Julius Nyerere Airport. While at the VIP lounge, Hon. Mwinyi presented a gift of First Day Covers and Commemorative Stamps created by the Tanzania Postal Service Corporation in recognition of the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee, honouring his 60th anniversary of leadership as Imam of the Shia Ismaili Community. Before departing, the Aga Khan viewed a cultural Ngoma dance and bid farewell to members of the Tanzania Shia Ismaili community.
In appreciation for the significant work the AKDN has carried out in the country and its contribution in Tanzania, the Tanzania Postal Corporation Services created the First Day Covers and Commemorative stamps depicting the various development efforts of the Network. The six stamps showcase the Aga Khan Foundation’s work in the Coastal Rural Support Programme in Tanzania’s Lindi and Mtwara Region, the Aga Khan Health Service’s efforts toward improving quality health care, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture’s restoration of the Old Dispensary in Zanzibar, the Aga Khan Education Service’s work in improving Early Childhood Development, and the Aga Khan University’s Higher Education efforts as well as the Diamond Jubilee motif.
The Aga Khan was in the country as part of his Diamond Jubilee visit to the region. In Uganda, he was awarded the The Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa, The Grand Master, by President Museveni at the country’s Independence Day celebrations. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its institutions are among Tanzania’s largest socio-economic agencies impacting the lives of Tanzanians.
NOTES
About the Diamond Jubilee of His Highness The Aga Khan
The Diamond Jubilee marks the 60th anniversary of the Aga Khan’s leadership as Imam of the Ismaili community. On 11th July, 1957, at the age of 20, the Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather as the 49th Imam of the Ismailis. The Shia Ismaili Muslims, generally known as the Ismailis, live in over 25 different countries, mainly in Central and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in Europe, North America and Australia. The Ismaili community sees the Jubilee as an opportunity to provide hope for the future for populations that may be marginalised or vulnerable. By strengthening development initiatives that will help people live better and improve opportunities for their families and children, the Ismaili community hopes to do everything possible to make the world a safer, more peaceful and stable place.
The Aga Khan Development Network
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is the Ismaili Imamat’s contemporary endeavour to realise the social conscience of Islam, through institutional action. The AKDN is present in 35 countries across South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America. Their individual mandates range from education, health, economic development, culture, and the strengthening of civil society.
For more information please contact:
Aly Ramji
Communications Coordinator Aga Khan Council
alyramji@gmail.com