Bishkek (AKIpress) - More than 200 representatives of civil society, government, business community, the diplomatic corps and international organizations gathered in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, on Tuesday to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan.

Mrs. Nurjehan Mawani, the Head of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Representation in Kyrgyzstan and the country’s foreign minister, His Excellency Ednan Karabaev, addressed the gathering at the Bishkek Hyatt Hotel. Representatives of the parliament, civil society and local government from Naryn and Osh districts presented their messages of congratulations. Guests at the event were delighted by the music of the Tengir-Too Ensemble and Center Ustatshakirt, which are sponsored by the Aga Khan Music Initiative in Central Asia (AKMICA), a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).

His Highness the Aga Khan completed his 50th year as the Imam of the Ismaili community on 11 July 2007. Fifty years ago, at the age of 20, the Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

In keeping with the Shia tradition of Islam, the mandate of the Imam extends to both spiritual and worldly matters. Since assuming the office of Imamat in 1957, Prince Karim Aga Khan has taken upon himself his grandfather’s concern for the well-being of the Ismaili community, the wider Muslim community, and those amongst whom they live. He has emphasised Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith that teaches compassion and tolerance and upholds the dignity of mankind.

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