Leaders International Forum - LIF

Ismaili Constitution, Institutional and Historical docs
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mahebubchatur
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Leaders International Forum - LIF

Post by mahebubchatur »

This is a legal entity formed under the Ismaili Ismaili constitution for the benefit and governance of the community.

Imam says the role of LIF is to meet, deliberate and make submission to Hazar Imam (Aga Khan), AND, what Imam specifically directs and mandates LIF. Leaders' International Forum shall meet from time to time to exercise deliberative and consultative functions and submit its views to Mawlana Hazar Imam in respect of any matters, activities, interests or questions affecting the Jamat, AND specifically referred to it by Mawlana Hazar Imam. The submissions of the Leaders' International Forum shall be implemented, only if specifically approved by Mawlana Hazar Imam..”
At Present LIF has 25 Members plus a CEO ( & staff/Team whose details are not provided by LIF)

20 of the 25 members are Presidents of Ismaili community National Councils globally.( See below for full list)

The other 5 are;

1. Chairman of LIF - presently Malik Talib (Before him it was M Eboo who is now Ismaili Ambassador for Canada. Before his it was Azim Lakhani who is now Ismaili Ambassador for Kenya (They all have other positions in community Institutions which are not provided)

2. E Rupani - CEO - Based in UK and IIS– He has been a part of the top Leadership for over 40 years.

3. Shafik Sachedina for over 25 years - Based in UK. He has many mutli and multiple positions in many community Institutions.

4. Razia Kurji - No profile and any other details are not available

5. Tania Kassim No Profile and any other details are not available.

The names on the Executive committee which is appointed by members of LIF, is not known and not provided.

THE FULL LIST of 26 BELOW

1. Chairman Alijah Malik Talib Canada ( ex President)

2. CEO - Ekbal Rupani - At IIS - for over 40 years

3. Amir Baig Dada Baig – Afghanistan

4. Karim Esmail Sumar – New Zealand & Australia

5. Amyn Saleh - Bangladesh

6. Ameerally Kassim-Lakha – Canada

7. Temiza Nathoo Rawji - DRC Africa

8. Zain Fancy - Far East - covers Malaysia and Singapore

9. Shamir Samdjee – France

10. Ashish Merchant - India

11. Firouz Akbari - Iran

12. Huzur Mukhiani Shamira Dostmohamed – Kenya

13. Pinou Cheraly – Malagacy

14. Amin Rawjee – Mozambique

15. Hafiz-Ur-Rehman Sherali – Pakistan

16. Rahim Firozali - Portugal

17. Ali Qabalan – Syria

18. Muzaffar Jorubov – Tajikistan

19. Alijah Amin Lakhani – Tanzania

20. Azim Tharani – Uganda

21. Aziz Merchant - UAE

22. Naushad Jivraj - United Kingdom

23. Al-Karim Alidina – USA

24. Vazir Dr Shafik Sachedina - Life Member -

25. Arzina Kurji - member

26. Rania Kassim - member


Contact details of the members, or profiles & list of their present multiple positions in other Community entities are not on community websites, directories nor provided on request even to members of the community


MANDATE OF LIF, in the Ismaili Constitution - 1998

The Ismaili constitution is a Firman (Order), ordained by Imam, Aga Khan, and he says in the constitution that it is to be read with Firmans and given freely to all Ismaili Muslims (These are tot given, even on on request)


Leaders International Forum - LIF

Quote

”There shall be a Leaders' International Forum to be known as "His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Leaders' International
"Forum".

4.2 The Leaders' International Forum shall be directly under the authority of Mawlana Hazar Imam.

4.3 The Leaders' International Forum shall meet from time to time to exercise deliberative and consultative functions and submit its views to Mawlana Hazar Imam in respect of any matters, activities, interests or questions affecting the jamat AND, specifically referred to it by Mawlana Hazar Imam. The submissions of the Leaders' International Forum shall be implemented only if specifically approved by Mawlana Hazar Imam.

4.4 The Leaders' International Forum shall be composed of:

(a) a Chairman who may or may not be a President of a National Council and who shall hold office for such period as Mawlana Hazar Imam may determine;

(b) persons appointed from amongst the Presidents of the National Councils, whose tenure of office as members of the Leaders' International Forum shall be coextensive with their respective tenure of office as President; and

(c) such other members as may be appointed from time to time who shall hold office for such period as Mawlana Hazar Imam may determine”.

The Full constitutional rules of LIF, and related Firmans, since 1986

These have not been published in the Ismaili websites or publications since 1986. Copies are not provided on request, even to members of the community.

Link to Ismaili constitutions http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... forum&f=30

Clarification and information has been requested from the Leadership. Not received and will be posted when received.


On 6th December 1993,

His Highness the AgaKhan, Hazar Imam, sent to and for the community ( Jamat) the following guidance message and blessings (Talika) through their President & members of each National Council. (This was followed by a two day meeting with them in Aiglemont in France in 16th & 17th December 1993)


The Talika

The President & Members
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Council for ....

My dear President and Members ,

On the occasion of my birthday the 13th of December 1993, I appoint with my most affectionate paternal maternal blessings, the beloved spiritual children mentioned here below as the chairman and members of the Leaders’ International Forum

My Jamat is aware that under the Ismaili Constitution promulgated in December 1986 the Leaders’ International Forum conducts deliberates & makes recommendations to me on such matters which I may refer to it, OR which it may suggest to me, in relation to, the unity, progress and improvement of the quality of life of my Jamat worldwide

Since the appointment of the first members of the Leaders’ International Forum, six years ago, many exceptional and profoundly significant changes have occurred at the regional level and individually in the countries in which my Jamat lives.

This deep process of change requires the widest observation as well is mature and careful reflection if it is to be harnessed for the improvement of the quality of life of the largest number possible of my spiritual children, bringing together in one forum - the Leaders’ International Forum - spiritual children from a large number of areas and countries will I believe enable them to share their respective observations and information and to create a pooled knowledge base from which to address in a more universal manner, with guidance of the Imam of the time, the new forces shaping the world ahead

The widened Leaders’ International Forum will also be better attuned to the ever increasing mobility of my Jamat and to determine how the Jamat needs and opportunities of the future can best be served by our institutions, nationally and internationally

I am confident that the composition of the Leaders’ International Forum membership will give a new and necessary global dimension to the matters it addresses as required at this time

I give my most affectionate paternal maternal loving blessings to the Chairman, and Members for success in their duties

The chairman
Mr Anil Ishani.

Members appointed were the Presidents of each of the 15 National councils at that time, namely;

Canada, - Aziz Bhaloo

India, - Hassanali Firasta

Kenya, - Kurban Bhaloo

Pakistan, - Tajuddin Manji

Syria, - Diab Yahya

Tanzania, - Abdul Sultan Jamal

United Kingdom, - Shafik Sachedina

United States of America, - Habubullah Jamal

Bangladesh, - Ashraf Nizar Ali

Malaysia and Singapore, - Ameer A Mohammed

United Arab emirates, - Sadrudin Damji

Malagasy Republic, - Azad Rajabally

France, - Fared Nandjee

Portugal, - Nazimuddin Ahman

Tajikistan, - Daulat Khodanazarov
Last edited by mahebubchatur on Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
mahebubchatur
Posts: 383
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Post by mahebubchatur »

In 2017 , at the start of the Diamond Jubilee , the Jamats Leadership ( LIF) gave the following pledges of Bay’ah & Allegiance to Hazar Imam #AgaKhan

Khudawand we now wish to submit our pledges and loyalty. I request the Jamat to be upstanding.

Oh Imam e Zaman on this 11th Day of July 2017, on this auspicious occasion of the commencement of your Dismind Jubilee year, we present here before you, we voice emotions, commitment and sentiments of millions of of our brothers and sisters around the world.

“We submit our homage to you and reaffirm our Bayah.
Representing our Ismaili brothers and sisters we make the following solemn pledges

1. Mawla we submit to you our unreserved spiritual allegiance
2. We pledge our absolute loyalty
3. We submit ourselves to you as our Imam, Pir and Mursheed to lead us on the path of Surat ul mustaqeem
4. We submit all our love devotion and dedication to you
5. We submit our allegiance to you as the bearer of true authority
6. We pledge our unreserved and unconditional support for all your endeavours
7. We pledge our total support in your work in the. Abuse of Islam, our faith, peace, compassion and human dignity
8. We submit our humble gratitude for your constant care, protection, guidance, and inspiration
9. We pray for the safety security good health and long life for all who are near and dear to you
10. We pray that we be blessed with your Imamat for ever more

Ya Mawla we pray you accept our humble pledges and submissions. Amen

Khudawand we beg to submit this scroll in affirmation of our pledges.

(LIF Chairman M Eboo the presented the scroll to Hazar Imam representing all murids globally).

Hazar Imam has asked the Leadership to be pluralist inclusive Leaders with Best Practice. Link to related Firmans - Imam’s guidance & Goals  http://ismaili.net/source/chatur-best-practice.pdf
mahebubchatur
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Guidance on Best Practice & Ismaili Ambassadors

Post by mahebubchatur »

The Present guidance/Firmans of Imam, #AgaKhan is to have Best Practice Inclusive Leadership accountability and transparency. All appointed Leaders in every position has a Primary duty to read follow and share Imams Firmans more at http://ismaili.net/source/chatur-best-practice.pdf

The Ismaili Community Institutions have appointed Ismaili Ambassadors to serve the community in various countries under bilateral agreements with the governments & AKDN - more at http://www.ismaili.net/html/modules.php ... pic&t=9188

H H The #AgaKhan III Imam at the time. And today Imam has directed the Leadership - LIF, & all Ismaili Muslims forctheir Farmans (guidances) to be read shared and implemented.

Farmans are Imams Talim and Tawil ( teachings and Interpretations ), of the Quran. Link below to over 100 Farmans to give and share Farmans.

The Ismaili constitution, which is a Farman, Hazar Imam , Aga Khan says must be given to all, & read it with Farmans.

Any Leaders or Ismaili Muslim blocking or not sharing them is going against the Imam’s Farmans & so against their faith & constitution.

http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/101-proofs-chatur.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/15348147601242 ... 82769/?d=n

#OneJamat #viralpluralism
mahebubchatur
Posts: 383
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Leaders must work together to serve the community

Post by mahebubchatur »

Imam, Aga Khan has asked the Leaders and the community to work together with a goal to serve the community, and do so with best practice, with wisdom and with consensus.

“My Goal is that over the years ahead the institutions will achieve levels of performance called “best practice. And the moment I am able to achieve that with my Jamat in India you will be positioned in a way which I think will be very significant for the future of the Jamat.

But in order to get there I need unity in the Jamat I need all my leaders and I need all my Jamat to work together as one brotherhood, with a common goal which is to serve the Jamat

The first thing I need is unity. The second thing I need is wisdom - wisdom is not a something you learn . it is something that Life teaches you about. But I need the wisdom of the Jamat to deal with the issues in the wise manner , and in a patient manner and in the consensual manner bringing everybody around a common set of goals

That is the spirit of Islam because it is built on brotherhood & therefore I say to my Jamat work together toward common goals “ - (Farman of Hazar Imam 2013)
https://twitter.com/chaturmahebub/statu ... 97730?s=21

Farmans to share Farmans
http://ismaili.net/timeline/2018/101-proofs-chatur.pdf

Imam-guidance https://www.facebook.com/15348147601242 ... 59370/?d=n
mahebubchatur
Posts: 383
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Post by mahebubchatur »

Present members of LIF - July 2021 -TheIsmaili

Alijah Malik Talib. - Chairman Canada

Alijah Amir Baig Dada Baig -Afghanistan

Karim Ismaili Sumar - Australia & NewZealand

Rai Ameerali Kasim Lakha - Canada

Mukhi Tameeza Nathoo Rawji - Congo

Zain Fancy -Far East

Ashish Merchant - India

Firouz Akbarali - Iran

Mukhiani Shamira Dostmohammed. - Kenya

Rai Pinou Cherali- Malagasy

Alijah Hafiz ur Rehman Sherali. - Pakistan

Amin Rawji. - Mozambique

Mukhi Rahim Ramji - Portugal

Mukhi Ali Kabalan - Syria

Mukhi Muzaffar Jorubov - Tajikistan

Alijah Amin Lakhani - Tanzania

Mukhi Azim Tharani - Uganda

Mukhi Aziz Merchant - UAE

Aitmadi Naushad Jivraj - UK/Europe (excluding Portugal/France)

Alijah Al Karim Alidina - USA

Vazir Shafik Sachedina

Alijah Arzina Kurji

Mukhiani Rania Kassim

Mukhi Sameer Shamdjee - France

Amin Saleh -Bangladesh
mahebubchatur
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Re: Leaders International Forum - LIF

Post by mahebubchatur »

Letter to LIF including a list of all the current members of LIF

Subject: Malik Talib and LIF - - video - Conduct - still Withholding our Constitution, Farmans, & information

Dear ALL - including LIF Noorani Family & Ismaili Imamat Boards

Further ….

Malik Talib, continues as Chair of the Leaders’ International Forum (LIF), and as “a senior official” at the Ismaili Imamat -legal entity - represents the Jamat (under their oath and Bayah renewed on 11 Feb 2025)

(Other members of LIF include Shafik Sachedina & E Rupani - for decades - full list below)

As highlighted in the following tweets and a video

Makik Talib appears in a video - circulated through official community media - suggesting - he thinks - that Imam wants the Jamat to rise above conflict and to be united as one Jamat & in link https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1929 ... hqfO552USg

However, rather than quoting directly from Farmans, he offers his interpretation of what he “thinks” Imam may have said—despite his access to all the Imam’s annotated guidance Farmans & constitution which he is withholding despite Hazar Imam’s specific directions on 11 Feb 2025 & 18 March 2025 in a Farman

This he knows - as a lawyer - is misleading and he and LIF are deliberately avoiding transparency & his legal duty under Bayah and Oath.

Unity is indeed in Imam’s Farmans & direction, -The constitution is also a Farman

This selective communication is not new. Mr. Talib was involved in the 2010 court case attempting to prevent the release of Farmans to the Jamat—despite serious allegations of forgery and irregularities filed in court .

Since then, repeated requests have been made to him-LIF for:

• The full Ismaili Constitution, including all amendments;
• Farmans, which remain withheld despite murids’ Bayah and rights to guidance;
• Clarification and accountability on various ongoing specific matters affecting the Jamat including participatory inclusion of all the local communities

Among the many pending concerns are:

• Questions regarding the passing of the Imam, as announced on 4 February 2025. Including His health before death announced -cause of - death, Will reading & Bayah, closed coffin - Jamat excluded etc.
• The unauthorised closure of Jamatkhanas, especially in eg India UK. The ongoing court cases.
• The current legal case filed in Kenya, where a court order has been sought for accountability, and murids have specifically requested the Imam personally to provide his directions. There is widespread concern of communications said to be from the Imam are being filtered or interpreted by leaders without verifiable authenticity, Including eg by Malik in this video

Mr. Talib - LIF has repeatedly been asked to provide answers and documentation regarding these matters.

His response has consistently been that all his actions are in accordance with the Imam’s Farmans-guidance.

Yet, he has not produced any such Farmans & evidence, despite numerous requests over many years.

This raises further & serious concerns about LIF’s institutional integrity, especially when Mr. Talib continues to serve as Chair of LIF with the same group of Leaders still in control today

Public messaging by Leaders about unity must not replace upholding Farmans which include pluralism transparency, ethical conduct, and faithful delivery of the Imam’s guidance.

Withholding Farmans, the Constitution, and answers to community concerns contradicts both the spirit and the letter of their legal duty & Bayah.

I respectfully urge all those in positions of responsibility to take these matters seriously and act in the interest of Farmans - truth, accountability, and the wellbeing of the Jamat.

I again request all to share the full constitution, Farmans and do what Imam has asked in Farmans

Yours sincerely,
M Chatur

List of LIF present members

viewtopic.php?t=9337

Members
Shafik Sachedina

Huzur Mukhiani Zamira
Dildorbekova

Huzur Mukhi Aziz Fayez

Raibanoo Abir Mohamed

LIF Secretary
Vazir Eqbal Rupani

President, Council for the U.A.E
Rai Aziz Merchant

President, Council for The UK
Aitmadi Naushad Jivraj

President, Council for The USA
Aitmadi Al-Karim Alidina

President, Council for Syria
Rai Saheba Rania Kassim

President, Council for Tajikistan
Rai Muzaffar Jorubov

President, Council for Tanzania
Rai Kamal Khimji

President, Council for Uganda
Rai Saheba Arzina Kurji

President, Council for Mozambique
Alijah Nurddin Vazir

President, Council for Pakistan
Aitmadi Nizar Mewawalla

President, Council for Portugal
Rai Saheba Yasmin
Bhudarally

President, Council for Southeast Asia
Alijah Zain Fancy

President, Council for India
Rai Asif Porbunderwala

President, Council for Iran
Alijah Firouz Akbari

President, Council for Kenya
Alijah Saheba Shamira
Dostmohamed

President, Council for The Madagascar
Rai Nazir Veldjee

President, Council for Bangladesh
Rai Madadali Virani


President, Council for Canada
Aitmadi Ameerally
Kassim-Lakha

President, Council for The Democratic Republic of Congo
Huzur Mukhi Amir
Allauddin Surani

President, Council for France
Huzur Mukhi Aiaze Mitha

Chairperson
Vazir Malik Talib

President, Council for Afghanistan
Alijah Abdul Hadi Alizada

President, Council for Angola
Aitmadi Zahir Aly Sidi

President, Council for Australia and New Zealand
Huzur Mukhiani Dr Gulzar
Lakhani

Profile of M Talib

Malik Talib was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, educated at McGill University and trained as a lawyer at the Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He is an entrepreneur and corporate director leading the Talmont Group based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has served as Chair or Board Member for various organisations, including the King's Trust Canada, the B.C.
Children's Hospital Foundation, United Way for the Lower Mainland Cabinet, Vancouver Foundation, Mulgrave School and LIFT Philanthropy Partners. For more than 30 years, Mr. Talib has served in various leadership positions within the Ismaili Community, including President and Vice-President of the Aga Khan Council for Canada, by appointment from His Highness the Aga Khan. In addition, he is a Director on the Board of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and a member of Global Centre for Pluralism corporation in Ottawa.
Most recently, he was appointed by His Highness the Aga Khan as the Chairman of the Ismaili Leaders' International Forum (LIF) as well as a Senior Official of the ismaili Imamat.

Full profile
https://rhf-frh.ca/about/board-of-direc ... 20Partners.

M Chatur
mahebubchatur
Posts: 383
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Re: Leaders International Forum - LIF

Post by mahebubchatur »

Letter to LIF & all below - Awaiting a response

On Wed, 11 Jun 2025 at 17:13, Mahebub Chatur <mahebubchatur@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Urgent Request for Clarification and Immediate Action Regarding Mr. Malik Talib’s Video Interview, Public Statements, and the Ongoing Withholding of the Constitution and Farmans


Letter To:

The Chairman, Leaders’ International Forum (LIF) – Mr. Malik Talib

All Members of the LIF

All Institutional Leaders including DJI - Ismaili Imamat

CC: Noorani Family, Jamati Members (for inclusion and pluralism)

By Email

Date: 11 June 2025

Ya Ali Madad,

I write with deep concern and renewed urgency following the public interview aired today featuring Mr. Malik Talib, current Chairman of the Leaders’ International Forum (LIF), who also served as President of the Aga Khan Council for Canada, and continues to hold multiple senior roles within the Ismaili Imamat and affiliated Boards.

In the video, Mr. Talib outlines what he describes as three key lessons learned from over two decades of leadership within our global Jamat.

The interview is available at the following link:

🔗 Interview Link https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1932 ... hqfO552USg


According to Mr. Malik Talib:

1. He “parks his ego at the door” – suggesting humility and openness in every engagement.

2. He “values diverse perspectives and consensus” – indicating a commitment to pluralism and inclusion.

3. He believes that “in giving, he receives more” – framing service as a reciprocal process of learning and listening.

However, these statements are starkly contradicted by his actual conduct—both recent and over many years. In particular:

• Mr. Talib & LIF continues to withhold the Constitution and Farmans—foundational guidance from Mawlana Hazar Imam that rightfully belongs to, and is meant to guide, the entire Jamat.

• He LIF has ignored repeated, respectful, and sincere communications and questions submitted by murids, in direct violation of the spirit of ethical, inclusive, and responsive leadership.

• When pressed, Mr. Talib has attributed his inaction to “doing what Hazar Imam is saying,” without providing any Farman or written instruction to support his claim—raising serious concerns given the history

• His leadership tenure also includes involvement in the controversial copyright lawsuit concerning the Farmans, which included serious allegations of forgery—a case that remains unresolved in the minds and hearts of many in the Jamat. (See earlier correspondence.)

These contradictions between Mr. Talib’s public statements and his ongoing actions must now be addressed directly transparently inclusively and institutionally

As Mawlana Hazar Imam clearly stated on 11 February 2024, “It is actions and behaviours—not words—that matter.”

Malik’s actions are far from aligned with what he professes and claims



🔍 Key Questions and Formal Requests

1. Will Mr. Talib & LIF now act on the very values and principles he claims to uphold—humility, inclusion, transparency, pluralism—and begin responding to the outstanding requests for access to the Constitution and Farmans? Will this begin immediately, as of today?

2. Is the interview current or prerecorded ?

Mr. Talib claims in the interview to be in Dubai for the Global Encounters Festival. However, parts of the interview appear to be recycled from earlier footage. Please confirm the authenticity and date of the actual interview.

3. What is the official position of the Leaders’ International Forum (LIF) on the serious and ongoing failure to respond to murids in good faith, the lack of transparency, and the widening gap between stated leadership values and actual practice? And not providing the full constitution and Farmans ?

4. When will the Constitution and Farmans be formally released to ALL the murids who have made sincere, reverent, and rightful requests for guidance that is central to their faith? And Hazar Imam reminded Leaders to do so on 18 March 2025

When will Mr. Talib and LIF respond to the 17 specific questions already submitted in prior communications? - see earlier emails in the last few weeks



This letter is not personal. It is a formal, principled, and constitutionally grounded appeal—in accordance with Farmans, Bayah, and our Imam’s repeatedly stated guidance on truth, justice, inclusion, and responsibility.

The murids of the Jamat have the right to expect and to hold accountable those who claim to serve in leadership capacities. Institutions must reflect the values they profess, not in rhetoric, but in verifiable action.

We now await your clear, documented, and timely response—not just with words, but with the actions our beloved Imam has asked us all to uphold.

Link to the last letter to LIF -Leaders viewtopic.php?p=73599#p73599

With prayers and in service of Imam and As one Jamat

M. Chatur
mahebubchatur
Posts: 383
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:01 pm

Re: Leaders International Forum - LIF

Post by mahebubchatur »

Letter and requests to Leaders of LIF - AKDN and Constitutional entities of our community

On Thu, 12 Jun 2025 at 08:00, Mahebub Chatur <mahebubchatur@gmail.com> wrote:
**Contradiction Between Stated words and Actions** by Leaders


Malik Talib - LIF Chair says he parks his ego at the door in serving the Jamat and works together by consensus - The words do not match his actions in not responding or giving constitution -LIF

Video

https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1932 ... hqfO552USg
AND

Malik Talib is member of following Boards

Malik Talib - He is on Board of the following companies How can & does he devote time to the Jamat entities and what have been and are the conflicts of interest of his businesses and self interest, with those of AKDN and all their connected businesses esp in Canada Congo and globally - Can Malik and LIF -AKDN etc clarify and or investigate & confirm

Here’s the full text-based list of Malik Talib’s board memberships:

Malik Talib - Board Memberships

Corporate

• IWG – Board Director
• Talmont Group, a Vancouver-based real estate and private equity firm
• Director of Decourcey Capital Corp. a capital pool company based in Vancouv


Non-profit/Civic

• Salmon Group – Principal
• King’s Trust Canada – Board Member
• B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation – Board Member


Others

• United Way - Lower Mainland – Board Member
• Vancouver Foundation – Board Member
• Mulgrave School – Board Member
• LIFT Philanthropy Partners – Board Member


Ismaili

• Rideau Hall Foundation – Chair
• Aga Khan Museum – Board Secretary - Director
• Global Centre for Pluralism – Senior Official

• Ismaili Leaders International Forum – Chair
• Ismaili Imamat – Senior Official


AKF - AKDN - LIF - Ismaili Imamat
Leaders **is not merely about words or promotion—it is about action & exemplification**.

Aga Khan Foundation, under same group of leaders of the Aga Khan Development Network, publicly advocates *Human-Centered Design* as a guiding principle, highlighting **collaboration, community participation, and iterative feedback** as essential components of ethical governance.

As leaders, they are not simply responsible for stating these ideals; they **must actively demonstrate them** in their own actions.

*"By engaging the community in a participatory, collaborative process of co-creation and iterative feedback, Human-Centered Design can help to identify solutions that will solve the root causes of problems and meet important (but sometimes misunderstood) needs."*

However, despite their public commitment to these values, leadership has **failed to respond to multiple requests for transparency and inclusion**, including **17 specific questions, repeated calls for engagement, and directives from His Highness the Aga Khan to provide the amended constitution**. The failure to acknowledge or act on these matters contradicts the very principles they claim to uphold.

Leadership that disregards participation, pluralism, and responsiveness cannot genuinely claim to embrace *Human-Centered Design*. Words without action are **hollow**—and the growing concerns from the community, formal letters requesting intervention, and the recent legal actions in Kenya and India highlight an urgent crisis of governance. Ethical leadership demands **accountability, not exclusion**, **transparency, not silence**, and **participation, not echo chambers**. If leaders do not practice what they promote, their principles become **meaningless rhetoric rather than guiding values**.

This is another latest example from the monthly newsletter released by AKDN AKF today of words not matching fact and action as Imam has asked again on 11 Feb 2025

We request a substantive response from Leaders in control and including from all Leaders who know and if they don’t to ask and share as Imam has asked us all to do

Link https://x.com/chaturmahebub/status/1932 ... hqfO552USg

M Chatur

Source

(https://akflearninghub.org/initiative/h ... ed-design/)

Leaders of AKF & AKDN states the following 👇🏽

“Human-Centred Design, a recognised approach for creating thoughtful experiences and systems, is a core practice of work at Aga Khan Foundation. We deploy Human-centred design to create innovative development products, systems, services, policies and programs.

The foundation of Human-Centred Design is a first-hand understanding of the human needs and behaviours in the systems being designed.

Throughout the process, the design team works to gather evidence that will inform their decision-making later on. It relies heavily on collaboration from a team, participation from potential end users and stakeholders, a willingness to find the solution through iterative cycles of learning, and a focus on action over planning.

By engaging the community in a participatory, collaborative process of co-creation and iterative feedback, Human-Centred Design can help to identify solutions that will solve the root causes of problems and meet important (but sometimes misunderstood) needs.”

Mahebub Chatur
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