November 14, 2001	Wednesday	Shaba’an 27, 1422

AL KHWABI (Syria), Nov 13: The Aga Khan on Monday described how he saw Syria facing the challenges of the future in the context of the current global situation.

“In recent years, human society has, sadly, witnessed a polarization of differences amongst people into all forms of conflict,” said the Aga Khan.

“This is a situation which I deplore and which cannot be acceptable to any individual who aspires to live in peace, dignity and security,” says a press release.

The Aga Khan, who is currently touring Syria, was speaking to a largely attended gathering here in this picturesque mountainous valley.

“It is thus clearly evident,” said the Aga Khan, “that peace in the decades ahead can only be achieved when the pluralist nature of human society is understood, valued and built upon, to construct a better future in Islam, the pluralism of human society is well recognized, and the ethics of its multiple interpretations require that this diversity be accorded respect.”

The Aga Khan also spoke of “the new global context in which countries, or regions, will be in competition with each other to develop a better quality of life for their populations”, and said that “in the forthcoming decades, countries, institutions, organizations and programmes, to be effective, will need to be increasingly competent in whatever they are doing. Today, and even more so for generations to come, that will require more consideration to be given to meritocracy.”

The Aga Khan reiterated that, “Islam enjoins upon an individual the maintaining of a balance between spiritual life and material well-being, and to ensure that his or her material endeavours are underpinned by the ethical principles of Islam. This balance between ‘din’ and ‘dunya’ entails not only the fulfilment of the individual’s spiritual obligation but also of the obligation to acquire knowledge and to use if for the benefit of others.”