...For Hussain Aga Khan, each of these photographs [in Animal Voyage] is an appeal to the tenderness of the wilderness that guides his sensitivity, his desire to be one with nature. The animals return his gaze as if in answer to this appeal: they know, they are waiting, they are watching over his love for the world...John W. MacDonald, Ottawa based ...
Introduction to Rumi According to tradition, Jalal al-Din Rumi was born in 1207 in the town of Balkh in Khurasan (near Mazar-I-Sharif in contemporary Afghanistan). He was the son of a brilliant Islamic scholar, Bahā ud-Dīn Walad. Fearing the impending Mongol cataclysm, his father decided to migrate westwards, and the family finally settled in Konya, Turkey. During this journey, Rumi encountered ...
DIALOG: THE CONCEPT The search for ethical knowledge is enhanced in dialog. Dialog is itself enhanced many fold when ideas, beliefs, opinions are tested in a live forum because ideas, beliefs, opinions are measured by the twin elements of fact and logic. Facts are materially provable and logic is an intellectual tool. Through dialog ethics evolve in a society. The more ...
Excerpts of Remarks by the President at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast President Obama Speaking at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast. White House Photo J.W. Marriott Washington, D.C. June 19, 2009 9:32 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Buenos días. AUDIENCE: Buenos días. THE PRESIDENT: It is good to see everybody here..... I want to thank Reverend Cortes for ...
Artist: Shahira Patni-Tejpar, PotterLocation: Vancouver, British Columbia Themes: "Multi-Colored Matungi" (2007); altered "Funky Blue Bowl " (2007); "Vertical Vessel" (2006) Medium: All shown are Wheel Thrown Stoneware Multi-Colored Matungi Funky Blue Bowl Vertical Vessel _______________________ See Shahira's profile and images of some of her other works at: Shahira Patni-Tejpar: Artist Profile and StatementShahira Patni-Tejpar: "Chai Time" and "Lapis Lazuli Free Fall" ...
Arif Babul with wife Naznin and daughters Aliya-Nur (left) and Shazia 'Ayn IV Editor's Note: We take a moment to express, on behalf of all the readers, our very deep appreciation to Dr. Babul for taking the time to do this interview and for giving insights into so many interesting areas in the realm of his specialized knowledge in astrophysics. He ...
While this reading is primarily aimed at the younger readership, we think everyone can benefit from it. The Holy Qur'an teaches that human beings have a great responsibility. One of the biggest responsibilities is for human beings to look after His creation. After all, human beings are the most important part of Allah's creation. Allah wants human beings to support and ...
A teacher was travelling with his four pupils. It was night time and the road was dark. Suddenly, a strange figure appeared before them. It seemed to have a huge head, and an odd-shaped body. The teacher asked his pupils whether they knew what it was. "I don't know what it is," said the first pupil. "I don't think it's possible ...
To view slide show please click image or Sunrise Over the Alamut. There are a total of eighteen slides in this presentation. For a background about how this story was conceived by Aliya and Shazia please read their father's (Professor Arif Babul) interview with Simerg at Voices: Babul Talks about Identity, Aspirations for the Family and the Jamat, "An Ismaili Academy", ...
"I encourage everyone to travel and visit the forest, for they are amazing...there will be fewer and fewer in the future. That's what I say to myself when I take every photograph....In my photographs, I let the animals and trees speak for themselves and hope other people will see the beauty I see." Prince Hussain Aga Khan in Madagascar, 1997. Photo ...
Says Professor Babul: "One cannot help but be amazed at progress we have made in the last hundred years, yet with every step forward we are confronted with the realization of just how vast the universe is and how little we know. Nothing can be more humbling." Photo: University of Victoria Media III This is the third in our four part ...
Saadi of Shiraz used to tell the following story: 'When I was a child, I used to pray with my father, my uncles and my cousins. Every night we would gather together to listen to a passage from the Qur'an. On one such night, while my uncle was reading a passage out loud, I noticed that most of the people were ...
Shahira Patni-Tejpar loves playing with earth and bringing form to a mound of clay Profile: Born in Uganda, Shahira moved to Vancouver with her family in 1970. While at High School in 1975, she took a Ceramics class and during that one year, spent many hours after 3pm in the pottery classroom, learning and developing her love for clay. At the ...
Artist: Shahira Patni-Tejpar, PotterLocation: Vancouver, British Columbia Themes: "Chai Time" (2008)/ "Lapis Lazuli Free Fall" (2007) Medium: Wheel Thrown Stoneware/Hand Built Stoneware Chai Time Lapis Lazuli Free Fall ...
A massive cluster of galaxies called Abell 2218, some 2 billion light-years from Earth. This "hefty" cluster was one of three that Dr. Babul had used when he first proposed the distortions in the images of more distance galaxies by gravity of the cluster can be used to probe the physics of the matter in the cluster. II This is the ...
Arif Babul: A Born Scientist Pursues Galaxies, Unfolds the Unknown and Advances Scientific Understanding in Communities Professor Arif Babul studies the physics of the cosmos which asks - how did the universe begin? When - or for that matter will - it end? Answering questions about our very existence is often at the heart of Dr. Babul's mind. PART I: Africa, ...
The logo of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, shown above and in the photos produced on this page, was designed by Karl Schlamminger, a German Muslim of the Shia tradition. The Name of Allah in Kufic* Script, reflecting Itself and repeating Itself, forms the basis of the logo design. Mr. Schlamminger also designed the prayer hall of the Ismaili Centre ...
Hodja: A Fool or Intelligent? The Hodja had already become a sort of attraction at the main market in the town. Whenever he went there to beg, people would show him a large coin and a small one: Hodja always chose the small one. A generous man who was tired of seeing everyone laugh at the Mulla, explained to him: "When ...
....As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith. "....I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims ...
An open book spills out words across the banner. These words represent the voices of individuals around the world and the insight everyone has to share. As they flow, the bearer of light casts out rays of light beams from the lamp, enlightening all who seek wisdom and a comforting place. A note on the words in the banner (some partially ...
The Shangrila built by Doris Duke is now a museum showcasing her unique collection of Islamic Art. Photo: Smithsonian Magazine, Copyright. In 1938, American tobacco heiress Doris Duke embarked on one of her periodic shopping trips to Europe and Asia. Then 25, "the richest girl in the world"--as newspapers had dubbed her when she was a child--was eagerly acquiring antiques and ...
Jimmy Carter aspired to make Government "competent and compassionate," responsive to the American people and their expectations. His achievements were notable, but in an era of rising energy costs, mounting inflation, and continuing tensions, it was impossible for his administration to meet these high expectations. Carter, who has rarely used his full name-James Earl Carter, Jr.-was born October 1, 1924, in ...
Aly Sunderji wants to start a society of Ismaili poets from diverse backgrounds Profile: A Culinary Artist by profession, and a poet and lyricist by interest, Aly Sunderji's poetic inspirations have come from the literary works of the Sufi Mystics. The Author of "A Spirit to be Reckoned With" he is currently working on his next chapbook which is expected to ...
...The Qur'an and Zulfiqar The Qur'an and the pure sword of Haydar - these are the two foundations of the faith of Muhammad. For he, 'Ali, stood with his sword Dhu'l-faqar*, drawn in every battle on the right hand of Muhammad. Ali's rank in the faith was like Aaron to Moses, for he was both the peer and companion of Muhammad. ...
Author Shafique Virani Flown to Iran as a Guest of State "None of that people should be spared, not even the babe in its cradle" .....but a 'silenced' community emerges stronger than ever Shafique Virani's recent book, The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation, has been attracting a lot of attention. The work received ...
Past Stamp Collectors Get Nostalgic, As They Are Awed by Tribute to their Imam The Aga Khan's Golden Jubilee Commemmorative Stamps on display in Ottawa, Canada A collection of several dozen stamps and first day covers from seven different countries went on display at the Ismaili Jamatkhana Social Hall in Ottawa, Canada, on Thursday May 28th, 2009, to bring even more ...
Artist: Naznin Virji-Babul (NV-B) Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Title and Medium: "Sept 11", Terracotta, appx. 11 inches Sept 11 This piece emerged after I watched the images from Afghanistan after September 11. I was struck by the anguish and suffering faced by the women and children in this society as a result of the war. I began working on a piece ...
Among the arts, the cultivation of poetry was especially encouraged by the Fatimid Caliph-Imams. As was customary with most ruling Muslim dynasties, the Fatimids maintained a staff of a few professional poets, ranked according to their skills, who performed important roles in the court rituals and public ceremonials. The most famous of the court poets was Muhammad ibn Hani al-Andalusi, who ...
Artist: Sonny Sultani (SS) Location: Chicago, Illinois Theme/Title: Whirling Sufi (2008) Medium/Size (if available): Watercolour, 5 in. x 7 in Whirling Sufi The artist on "Whirling Sufi" I am addicted to Sufi dervishes who whirl in devotion to God, and decided to draw of one as my devotion to God (this I thought had some irony). When I finished the drawing, ...
Sonny Sultani: "Hit by a beam of luck" Sonny Sultani, aged 29, is a graduate of Northwestern University, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Philosophy (honours) degree in Communications. He resides in Chicago and loves to write poetry, which he says "brings peace at the end of my day." He adds, "In poetry, I can talk about things that thrill or disturb ...
The Pragmatist Scented woman you are A petaled flower soft and silken Without which would barren remain Unattractive to the honey-bee Amorous smiles of deadly intent She herself, the bait! Plying the line, biding her time Prithee, who the hunter who the prey? When near, so aloof When afar, she smiles Messages confounding Dissipate my strength Kept taut on her string ...
Artist: Naznin Virji-Babul (NV-B) Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Title and Medium: "Woman Making Roti" (2003), Terracotta, appx. 11 inches "Struggle" (2007), Terracotta, appx. 11 inches Woman Making Roti This piece is of an elderly woman, kneading dough to make rotli. This simple act of providing "bread" for the family represents the unique role that women play in providing both physical and ...
One day four boys approached Hodja and gave him a bagful of walnuts. "Hodja, we can't divide these walnuts among us evenly. So would you help us, please?" Hodja asked, "Do you want God's way of distribution or mortal's way?" "God's way" , the children answered. Hodja opened the bag and gave two handfuls of walnuts to one child, one handful ...
1. Three Questions for Hodja Some clever and educated men were in search of an intelligent man, who could answer their three questions. They travelled all around the world and finally arrived where Hodja lived. They asked: "Who is the most intelligent man in this town?" Of course, the people of the town brought Mulla Nasruddin Hodja to the three men. ...
Please click on artists to read their profile and view images of their visual art works (arranged by artist's last name): Attaullah ASMATE, Ottawa, Canada, and Kabul, Afghanistan Ataullah Asmate: "Waves off the Moon" and "Communications 5" (includes profile) Mehboob DEWJI, Vancouver, Canada Mehboob Dewji: Artist Profile and Statement Mehboob Dewji: Magnificent Digital Islamic Patterns (I): "Diversity"...and more Mehboob Dewji: Magnificent ...
Naznin Virji-Babul sculpts to find meaning in life Profile: I am a neuroscientist and sculptor - people often ask if I sculpt as a "hobby" or to "relax" - I do not: relaxing makes me tense. I sculpt for the same reason I do science - to find beauty and meaning in life. For me the practice of science and art ...
Artist: Naznin Virji-Babul (NV-B) Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Title and Medium "Kashf" (July 2008), Alabaster*, 22 x 24 x 10 cm "Touched by the Essence" (Feb 2009), Clay Kashf (Unveiling) I began with a solid formless chunk of alabaster and gradually began the process of unveiling the beauty and essence of the form underneath - this process of painstaking chiseling and ...
Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat Building in Canada's Capital City, Ottawa, "Centred around the mysteries of rock crystal." When I invited Professor Maki, a master of form and light, to design this building, I made a suggestion to him - one that I hoped would help connect this place symbolically to the Faith of Islam. The suggestion I made focused on ...
Profile: Nazim Bhimani who calls himself Deaf 1 Naz, is sixteen years old and is deaf. Please see his profile in his own words at Nazim Bhimani: The Deaf World. The following poem was composed by him on November 17, 2008 when he was fifteen. Who Am I? My heartbeats, Who am I? Raging hormones, Multiplying chromosomes, In a world with ...
Free Concert on June 9th at Damrosch Park, with Live Broadcast on PBS Damrosch Park, Venue of Free Outdoor Concert on June 9, 2009 As part of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' 50th anniversary season, the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma will perform three different programs on three nights in early June. These concerts showcase music from Silk Road ...
