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Congolese Jamat hosts a dinner in celebration of the Golden Jubilee

President Kabila’s Special Envoy, Antoine Ghonda is received by Ismaili Council for Kinshasa President Altaf Sheriff, while Special Advisor to the President, Joseph Mukanya (centre) looks on. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kinshasa

As part of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Ismaili community in the Democratic Republic of Congo hosted a commemorative dinner in Kinshasa. The event, which was held on 15 May 2008, brought together Jamati leaders, key policy makers and government officials, and provided a forum to exhibit the work of the Ismaili Imamat in the country.

Guests included the Minister of State for the Interior (Home Affairs), Special Representatives of the President of the Republic, Special Advisors on Political, Diplomatic and Economic Matters, as well as other senior political figures, diplomats and representatives from the wider Muslim Ummah.

Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States, Sam Brock, in discussion with External Activities Task Force member, Nimet Janmohamed. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kinshasa

In addition to celebrating Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee and his numerous achievements, the event sought to develop a better understanding of the work and institutional structure of the Aga Khan Development Network within the country. Jamati leaders accompanied guests through a panel exhibition illustrating the various components of the AKDN worldwide.

It was also an opportunity to raise awareness about the Jamat, its history in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the community’s contribution to the socioeconomic fabric of their adopted country. For many guests, the dinner was their first exposure to the Ismaili community and to the expansive work of the AKDN.

The Minister of Social and Humanitarian Affairs, Jean-Claude Muyambo, looks at an AKDN display panel, as a Jamati leader responds to his questions. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kinshasa

The evening featured a keynote address by Altaf Sheriff, President of the Ismaili Council for Kinshasa. During his presentation, President Sheriff spoke of the Network’s ethical roots and its role in realising the social conscience of Islam.

The President also highlighted the work of the AKDN, including the presence of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development in Congo. His presentation culminated with an overview of the Golden Jubilee, and examples of projects launched during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visits to the countries of East Africa.

A group of young Ismailis entertain guests with the performance of a dance from Tajikistan. Photo: Courtesy of the Ismaili Council for Kinshasa

During the evening, a joint Congolese-Ismaili choir performed a spectacular rendition of the country’s national anthem as well as a musical rendition of the Nashid al-Imamah. Guests were also entertained by Ismaili youth who used dance to portray the cultural and ethnic diversity of the global Jamat. Their performance included a Tajik dance from Central Asia and a garba from the Indian subcontinent.