I’d love to put this in GQ but I have a feeling it would be moved. The 30th anniversary of Shergar’s (a horse; google him) kidnapping made me realise while I’d always heard of the Aga Khan I didn’t really realise what he did other than be a monarch. To find out he’s the head of the second largest branch of Shia Islam surprised me.
So, looking them up on Wikipedia, I come away with the following impression:
Negatives:
A religious Shi’ite group, with all that implies
Have to give 12.5% of their money to the Aga Khan, quite likely explaining how wealthy he is
Positives:
A religious Shi’ite group, with all that implies
Seem a relatively nice and tolerant group
Relatively progressive, especially with regard to womens’ rights and poverty
There’s a lot more than that but that seems to me a fair short summary. So in general, how are they? If you are in doubt, compare them to similar type things. For example, I would say from what I understand of them they are not as tolerant as most Bhuddists, but on the other hand they are better than the Taliban. I would also say that the Aga Khan seems a much better leader than the Pope, but probably not as good as Richard Dawkins.
Well in Pakistan, they seem to either be i) very rich and major businessman and ii) in the army.if we are playing on streotyopes which is what the OP wants.:rolleyes:
If you want information on my interactions with Isma’ilis, of which I have had quite a lot, then sorry, they seem to be normal, boring people.
I hang out here from time to time still, Tamerlane, moreso if Eva Luna pings me.
We’re probably one of the most progressive Muslim groups around, socially, etc. We believe in equality of men and women particularly socially; there is no barrier to women being educated (oftentimes highly), or being in leadership positions. We are encouraged to integrate fully into the communities where we live, both individually, in terms of dress, and socially, as a sub-community of the larger community that we may live in.
The Aga Khan is a leader who preaches inter-faith understanding (even when that faith is atheism), tolerance, compassion, love, understanding, making the communities you live in a better place for all, regardless of the race or creed of your neighbours. We are encouraged to help those less better off than us in any way we can.
The 12.5% number you quote above, is also wrong. Its 8.5%, and doesn’t go to the Aga Khan as such, but rather is a form of Zakat, or charity. Yes, the Aga Khan has great personal wealth, which he uses to finance charitable operations, but much of the Aga Khan Foundation is also financed by the money contributed in the Mosque. Some of that money will also go to operating costs for the various mosques, upgrading facilities, etc etc.
What do you want to know about us? I’m happy to answer questions that you have.
I grew up in England; my family is originally from Kutch and Gujarat, and went to England via Uganda. Post-partition, much of my family remaining in India, wound up in Karachi.
Not that I’m aware of. I know that there is a strong Ismaili community there, but I’m fairly sure the two populations are of distinct conversion traditions, and that its unlikely I would have blood family there.
