DUSHANBE, October 12, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon and His Highness the Aga Khan, the Spiritual Leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, officially opened The Ismaili Center in Dushanbe today afternoon.

The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking Tajik state officials.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Rahmon expressed hope that the Center would promote further mutually beneficial cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKD).

His Highness the Aga Khan, for his part, hailed policy of Tajik leader aimed at strengthening of religious pluralism in the country.  Opening of The Ismaili Center that is built in the center of the Tajik capital is evidence of that, His Highness the Aga Khan noted.

The Ismaili Center Dushanbe is the sixth such institution in the world and the first in the Central Asian region.  Beginning in 1984, major Ismaili Centers have been established in London, Vancouver, Lisbon, Toronto and Dubai.  Like other Ismaili Centers, The Ismaili Center in Dushanbe is dedicated to enhance the process of understanding and exchange.

We will recall that the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the Ismaili Center in Dushanbe was held on August 30, 2003.  Calling it "a place where people will come together to share their creativity and their wisdom," the Aga Khan said on August 30, 2003 that through the facilities, which they offer for lectures, presentations, conferences, recitals and exhibitions, alone or in collaboration with other national or international entities, the Ismaili Centers have become important cultural institutions.

His Highness the Aga Khan arrived in Tajikistan on October 9 and is leaving the country today evening.