Ismailia Socio-economic Conference

By Author: Ibrahim Machiwala Lodhi
Total Articles: 396
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"The First World Ismailia Socio-Economic Conference was held on Tuesday, December 15, 1964 on the ground of the Aga Khan Gymkhana, Karachi. Pakistan was fortunate to be the venue of this most important Conference.

It was a sunny, bright and pleasant morning, when the Present Imam arrived at 10.30 a.m. and walked through the red carpet leading to the well decorated stage amidst the thundering applause of almost 6000 Ismailis, both delegates and observers from 13 countries. The inaugural session started with the recitations of the Koran and Ginan.

Wazir Amir Ali Fancy, the President of the Executive Board of the Conference presented a welcome address to the Imam, the delegates and observers. The Imam was lustily cheered by those presents when he walked to the mike to reply the welcome address. He said in the beginning of his speech that:-

Mr. President, My spiritual children,

My tour of Pakistan this year has been unique in many aspects, and one of these we are adding to our book of history today. Two unique pages have just been turned over, the heading on the first being "The 49th Imam's longest tour ...
... of Pakistan" and the heading on the second being "The first birthday which the 49th Imam spends with his community". The third page in our history book is, I believe the title page of a new chapter and should read "The First World Ismailia Socio-Economic Conference."

When the speech ended, the Imam received a standing ovation from 6000 Ismailis present. After that, papers on social welfare and economical development were read by leaders of delegates of 13 countries, such as Pakistan, India, Africa, Iran, Britain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Malaysia, Switzerland, Lebanon, France, Kuwait and Muscat.

Those who read the papers gave a vivid picture of the circumstances prevailing in their countries, the existing conditions, results achieved so far, scope for further progress, cooperations received and expected, etc. in the fields of social and economic activities. The following delegates read the papers:-

Count Sir Eboo Pirbhai (Africa), Brig-General Khalili (Iran), Count Badruddin Pyar Ali (Switzerland), Wazir Hasan Ali Wazir Jivabhai (Malaysia), Wazir Amir Ali Fancy (Pakistan), Wazir Jimmy Virjee (Africa), Mr. Noor Ali Asani (Kuwait), Alijah Amir Ali S. Rahmatullah (India), Mr. Ashraf Jairaj (India), Mrs. Shirin Keshani (Aden), etc.

Thus ended the first day inaugural session with a vote of thanks by Itmadi Ali Muhammad C. Padamsee, Vice-President of the Executive Board of the Conference.

On December 18, 1964, the Imam delivered at the concluding session.

The First World Ismailia Socio-Economic Conference in Karachi was an excellent beginning. Leaders of the Ismaili world assembled round the Imam, discussed, exchanged views and laid the foundation for a strong Centre which will brace out its activities in all spheres. Under the dynamic leadership of the Imam. The Conference resolved to eliminate poverty, sickness and illiteracy from the community and inject fresh blood and life, thus raise the standard of living of the Ismailis all over the world.

During the four days of the Conference, quite a number of committees had group discussions, prepared formula and put forward suggestions. During the concluding session, the Imam mentioned in his speech, "and my jamat must never forget that this is not a state. Each individual spiritual child is linked to the Imam through a spiritual bond and these must remain separate from the bond of loyalty to the countries in which you are living."

The Imam also desired in his speech that the world Ismaili delegates should meet him at least twice a year to apprise him of the progress made and then review all the works that have been done during the six preceding months. In this way it would be possible to assess continuously the progress that has been made in the jamats.

The Imam attended the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Conference held at Paris on September 16, 1966.