Atlanta: The Aga Khan, billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader of 20 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide, ended an eight-day tour of the US stressing the importance of tolerance and education as he announced his initiative to establish schools in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

His trip, which also included stops in Texas, Illinois and California, was part of the Shia Ismaili Muslim commemoration of the Golden Jubilee, which marks the Aga Khan's 50th year as imam of the religious sect.

In a speech Friday at a high school in Atlanta, he sought to raise awareness about the Aga Khan Academies, a US $ one billion education initiative to build 18 schools in 14 countries in Africa, Central and South Asia and the Middle East.

The project grew out of a need to develop well-educated, global citizens who would make a difference in their communities, the Aga Khan told the audience.

"Our Academies Programme is rooted in the conviction that effective indigenous leadership will be the key to progress in the developing world, and as the pace of change accelerates, it is clear that the human mind and heart will be the central factors in determining social wealth," he said.

"Too many of those who should be the leaders of tomorrow are being left behind today. And even those students who do manage to get a good education often pursue their dreams in far off places and never go home again."

Source : PTI