Sir Abed also shared how the cosmopolitan ethic has been reflected in the work of BRAC, which has significantly contributed to the development of the people of Bangladesh.

He was addressing a function on Saturday arranged by the Aga Khan National Council for Bangladesh celebrating the conclusion of the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan with a session on “Cosmopolitan Ethic in Action” at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Bashundhara.

President of the Aga Khan National Council for Bangladesh Sulaiman Ajanee welcomed all and remarked that the Diamond Jubilee of the Aga Khan has provided a significant opportunity to reflect on the vision of Aga Khan, the efforts of the Aga Khan Development Network and on the ethics and values that underpin these efforts, one of which is the “cosmopolitan ethic”.

Managing Director Mohammadi Group Dr Rubana Huq said cosmopolitan ethic means that they neither expect nor desire that every person or society should converge on a single mode of life. “That is not possible but we have a moral and ethical choice to change whatever we can within our own means.”

AKDN Resident Diplomatic Representative to Bangladesh Munir M Merali said the cosmopolitan ethic also means to bring hope where there is despair and poverty, to embrace diversity, and to promote pluralism while employing meritocracy in all that they do.

The event was attended by members of the academia, representatives of civil society, business leaders and members of the Ismaili community.