Bridge Between Two Epochs

Excerpt:

Some 11 books have been written about Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah, nine in english and two in urdu. He has written his autobiography “The memoirs of Aga Khan – world enough and time” published in london and new york and translated into several languages. This compilation “Bridge between two epochs” has very different objectives. By highlighting his unprecedented and futuristic statements and providing a backdrop to them, it is hoped to motivate the readers to reflect on his role not only in islamic but in world history. Born in karachi, classified by the british imperialists as an indian prince, and a muslim to boot, how did he rise above the open and virulent racism of the first half of the 20th century to play such a dynamic and central role in the politics of his day? How did he become the president of the league of nations? At such a young age, how did he manage to unite the many different muslim groups of india around common objectives of education and independence?

Rashida Noormohamed-Hunzai
Born in tanzania in 1942, she has a b.a. hons. (hull university, england), p.g.c.e. (bristol university) and m.ed. (mcgill university). Her professional career spans kenya and united kingdom, first as a secondary teacher, then as an education officer for the birmingham community relations council and as a curriculum planner for the institute of ismaili studies and as a religious education co-ordinator with itreb, united kingdom. In her voluntary capacity she has served for 3 years (1977-80) on the bbc’s asian programmes advisory committee. She has participated in programmes for bbc4 radio and also tv in campaigning for the teaching of mother tongue to immigrant children. In retirement she works at the victoria & albert museum, london as a freelance intercultural guide.