By Jehangir A. Merchant A Mughal miniature of Noah's Ark in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Prophets are the messengers of Allah who came from time to time to guide mankind to the way of Allah, the path of righteousness. Amongst the many who came as guides and warners to the people, Prophet Noah ...
When we think how few men of real religion there are, how small the number of defenders and champions of the truth--when one sees ignorant persons imagining that the principle of Islam is hardness, severity, extravagance and barbarity--it is time to repeat these words: If the words quoted above were true in 1860, when the Emir wrote them, they are sadly ...
Shareta's Arc second rewards sire Sinndar. SHANKARDEH's Gr 2 Prix Chaudenay was the highlight of a prolific weekend for her sire Azamour who also picked up several black-type places across the globe, while Sinndar's talents were once again underlined by the excellent Arc de Triomphe second of his daughter SHARETA. Three-year-old SHANKARDEH's success in the Gr 2 stayers' event at Longchamp ...
Aftab Ahmad Khan: How do you visualise the political future of the Islamic world and how could it find a proper place in the international power balance? Aga Khan: At the present time the Islamic world is exposed to a multitude of pressures, solicitations and, personally, I think that the Islamic world has got to set itself realistic, pragmatic objectives and ...
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation: [Y]ou yourself are, one has to say, you are cosmopolitan. Aga Khan: I am Muslim. LBC: You do not have another identity? None whatsoever? Aga Khan: No, none, none! LBC: You do not have an attachment to your country of origin? Aga Khan: You tell me my 'country of origin'. I wouldn't even be able to define it ...
"God prescribes: faith unadulterated by idolatry, prayer unblemished by pride, poor tax produced to provide livelihood, fasting as a test of sincerity of character, pilgrimage to facilitate the understanding of religion, struggle for the honor of surrender to God, enjoining good for the improvement of the people, forbidding evil to deter the foolish, keeping relations with kinfolk to increase number, retaliatory ...
Canada -- Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston attended a luncheon with the Canadian Club of Vancouver on Wednesday, hosted at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. They were joined by members of the diplomatic corps, civil society leaders, public servants, and professionals from diverse fields of social, economic and cultural activity, as well ...
Hazrat Ali said to his son Hasan, "My son, remember four things from me, and four more; you will come to no harm as long as you act in accord with them: "The richest of riches is intelligence, and the greatest poverty is stupidity. The loneliest isolation is conceit, and the most noble value is goodness of character. My son, do ...
Nutrition Centre -- Shazia Govindji has been thinking about what to have in her kitchen and fridge as she starts her second year at university. She shares her tips on preparing quick, nutritious dishes, and on how to keep to a budget whether eating in or out. If you're leaving home and beginning life as a university student, you can get ...
"[E]ach of us can help enhance pluralism in our own personal, professional and institutional domains. We could play our role in favour of pluralism as public opinion makers. We could participate in and support the efforts of groups and NGOs that promote that cause. We could volunteer our professional competences in a variety of fields, such as academic, technical or managerial. ...
Journal Notes on Islam in Ethiopia By Barnaby Rogerson, UK I looked across the room. It was much easier to concentrate on youth. They were all so positively post-famine. Anybody my age in Ethiopia looked either a saint or a cynic, and had seen far, far too much to remain beautiful. It began with the secret famines of the 70's which ...
This week's selection is Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III's 1902 All India Muhammadan Educational Conference Presidential Address, Muslim Education in India. Though made over 110 years ago, during his appeals for support to establish Aligarh University, in this important speech the Aga Khan decrys the "general apathy which pervades every walk of life" of the Ummah. Observing that "this ...
"Whether any other religion accepts such a definite (and, if I may say so, materialistic) conception of life eternal and immortality, I am not sure. The Buddhists and Brahmans certainly believe in some kind of survival, but that is very often allied to the idea of if transmigration of souls from animals to men and angels or still higher beings in ...
Healthy Hints Oats don't only bring texture, they are whole grain so they provide fibre too. Choosing a lower fat version of cream helps to keep your fat, and particularly saturated fat, intake down. You could also experiment with other ingredients such as Greek yogurt or fromage frais instead of cream. If you don't want to add sugar -- for example ...
"One of the challenges that has concerned me over many years, and which I have discussed with leading Muslim thinkers, is how education for Muslims can reclaim the inherent strengths that, at the height of their civilisations, equipped Muslim societies to excel in diverse areas of human endeavour. Clearly the intellectual development of the Ummah, is, and should remain, a central ...
By Maleksultan J. Merchant A hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad (saws) Ayaz -- Hi, Naguib. How're you? Naguib -- Ya Ali Madad Ayaz; I'm fine thank you. Ayaz -- What did you just say? Naguib -- Ya Ali Madad! Ayaz -- And what's that? Naguib -- You mean you don't know! That's an Ismaili greeting. Ayaz -- How do you mean? ...
"The background to this initiative [of cultural revitalisation] is very simple. The background is to illustrate to the peoples of our world the history of the civilisations of the Ummah. We don't do enough to illustrate to the peoples of our world the greatness of the Islamic civilisations, of the cultures of the past. And because they don't know, they don't ...
Pranay Gupte: You've been characterised variously as a "Renaissance Man" and "visionary." Would you add other characteristics that would be needed for your successor? Aga Khan: Well, that is very kind and very generous of the people who said those sorts of things. They often think that when you inherit an office, which is a life office, you are simply a ...
By Dr. Aziz R. Kurwa This vintage engraving depicts the portrait of Aga Khan I (1804 - 1881), the 46th Ismaili Imam who is buried at Hasanabad. The engraving was made by an unknown artist after a photograph circa 1870. Copyright © iStockphoto.com Memories of the Diamond Jubilee of Imam Sultan Mohamed Shah March 1946 was the most momentous and happy ...
"I would like to thank Cartier for the prize that has been given to Zarkava and just share with you what she means to me. "When my father was killed, there was a filly in training called Petite Etoile. She was my first Classic contact with racing. She was trained here in England by Noel Murless and ridden by Lester Piggott. ...
"As the young men and women from this Aga Khan Academy, and over time from its sister schools, grow and assume leadership in their societies, it is my hope that it will be members of this new generation who, driven by their own wide knowledge and inspiration, will change their societies; that they will gradually replace many of the external forces ...
"The Qur'an, the Hadith, the sayings of Hazrat Ali, and many scholarly sources make numerous references to the forms and purposes of philanthropy. Human dignity -- restoring it, and sustaining it -- is a central theme. Enabling individuals to recover and maintain their dignity as befitting their status as Allah's greatest creation, is one of the main reasons for charitable action. ...
"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 creating a certain mystique, centred around the beautiful mysteries of rock crystal.... It is because of these qualities ...
"In the face of this changing world, which was once a universe to us and is now no more than an overcrowded island, confronted with a fundamental challenge to our understanding of time, surrounded by a foreign fleet of cultural and ideological ships which have broken loose, I ask, do we have a clear, firm and precise understanding of what Muslim ...
"I think for a long time there was a notion that development support, development activities, should not be measured because it was unethical to measure something which was done with a charitable attitude and all the rest. And I think since then what's happened is that donor agencies -- government, individual organisations, the World Bank amongst others -- came to the ...
Aga Khan draft which supplied subsequent Group winner Rajsaman in 2010 once again well-represented. The Aga Khan Studs send a classy consignment of three winners to Arqana's forthcoming Arc Sale on Saturday 1st October at Saint-Cloud. Graduates of the famous racing and breeding operation are always highly-sought after at public sale and past results speak for themselves, with successes at the ...
THE TREES His Highness the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Stephen Harper in front of the model of the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and their Park. The artist's rendering and model of the new Aga Khan projects in Toronto showed there would be plenty of trees planted on the grounds. However, a photo by Jim Bowie from back in ...
Gr 2 Qatar Prix Foy win is highlight of busy weekend for Aga Khan Studs. An unlucky third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2010, SARAFINA has enjoyed a perfect preparation for the 2011 edition of Europe's richest race. After successes in the Gr 2 Prix Corrida and Gr 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud this summer, SARAFINA returned to ...
Nutrition Centre -- Whole grains are a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, and research shows that whole grain foods offer a variety of health benefits. September is designated as Whole Grains Month in the USA and dietitians at The Ismaili Nutrition Centre are challenging all our readers to increase their daily intake of whole grains. Look for wholegrain cereals that ...
This week's selection is His Highness the Aga Khan's 1967 Peshawar University Convocation Address. In this thought provoking speech, soon after nations across Asia and Africa had gained independence, the Aga Khan contrasts the social context of the developed West with that of the East, noting that "some of the contrasts I have observed have convinced me that by no means ...
The Gilltown Stud resident celebrated a Group double in Ireland and France. Dalakhani notched a fifth individual Group 1 winner and a fourth Classic success at the Curragh on Saturday thanks to his son DUNCAN in the Irish St Leger. A day later in France, his Jockey-Club winning son RELIABLE MAN took an important step en route for the Arc with ...
News story -- In his presentation, delivered in May 2010, Dr Cancian explained that hermeneutics play a crucial role in defining what a religion is and how it should be professed and practiced, which is demonstrated by the fact that virtually every religion has developed its own vast and articulate exegetical tradition. With regard to the relationship between authority and exegesis in ...
Winner - Open Category The Symbolism of the Halo Dana Lopez is winner of Category 2 for her entry "The Symbolism of the Halo." Click image for enlargement. By Dana Lopez I enjoyed viewing Jim Bowie's photo because of its symbolism. Two features are notable in particular. First, the area ringed by the halo appears calm, whereas the area outside the ...
As recorded in Kitab al-Kafi by Abu Ja'far Muhammad al-Kulayni I. The Outstanding Merits of the Prophet "Despite their great sins and their ugly acts our Lord -- out of His clemency, His tolerance, and His mercy -- chose for them the most lovable one of His prophets and the most honorable one of them, Muhammad bin Abd Allah, may Allah ...
News story -- The Institute's Qur'anic Studies unit held the last four lectures of the series: 'The Meaning of the Word: Lexicology and Tafsir,' during April and May 2011. The series of lectures, organised by Dr Stephen Burge, focussed on the relationship between Qur'anic tafsir (exegesis), lexicology (the study of the meanings of words and their semantic relations) and the ways in ...
The son of Dalakhani had finished third in the Jockey Club after winning the Gr.3 Prix La Force. BARAAN, will not take part in this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after suffering a minor setback in training. The son of Dalakhani, had finished third in this year's Prix du Jockey Club after winning the Gr.3 Prix La Force. His stablemate ...
Nutrition Centre -- Healthy Hints Gram flour is made from chick peas and this is a source of fibre and low fat protein. Choosing to use spray oil helps you keep an eye on added fat -- try to limit to about two seconds of spraying either side of each chilla. 110 g gram flour 1 tbsp fresh coriander, finely chopped ...
Healthy Hints Standard rice accompaniments are likely to be lower in calories per portion. However, the addition of dhal to this recipe means you're adding valuable protein and fibre, making this into a more nutritious and wholesome dish. Use lower fat unsaturated spread (or a dash of olive oil) in place of butter if you're watching your blood cholesterol. 200 g ...
Seeking the Forgiveness of the Imam of the Time: A Short Explanation (II) By Ismailignosis Please click for article "The Forgiveness of the Imam" A Note to Readers: Please scroll down or click Home page for other recent posts and click What's New for links to all articles published on this blog since March 2009. Subscribe to this Website via the ...
The Forgiveness of the Imam By Ismailignosis Editor's note:While it is often thought that "only God alone can forgive sins," the Qur'an also uses a second term to denote forgiveness - 'afwa - and attributes this act of forgiveness to both God and the Prophet Muhammad. Following from Part I, this concluding piece demonstrates how contemporary Isma'ili Muslim supplications for the ...
