News story -- The Central Asian Studies unit of the IIS, in collaboration with the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts (IOM) of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (AST), has published a new Tajik edition of Nasir-i Khusraw's Jami' al-Hikmatayn(Twin Wisdoms Reconciled).This new critical edition, prepared by Professor Karomatullo Olimov who is the Director of IOM and Vice-President of the AST, is supplied ...
News story -- A live webcast of the book launch event for Living in Historic Cairo: Past and Present in an Islamic City Dr Farhad Daftary, Dr Alice Hunsberger and Mr Seif El-Rashidi participated in a hosted discussion. A video of this event will be avialable on the IIS website soon. ...
News story -- The circular city of Baghdad, built out of mud bricks on the River Tigris, was a tolerant, multi-religious, multi-ethnic city. One of the foremost centres of Islamic intellectual and religious research, it also incorporated much of the learning from the preceding Late Antique period c.150 - c.750 CE. It is significant that the city was only 20 miles from ...
News story -- The IIS is pleased to announce the publication of Shi'i Interpretations of Islam: Three Treatises on Islamic Theology and Eschatology, by the prolific 13th century Persian scholar, Nasir al-Din Tusi (1201-1274 CE). In this volume, Dr Sayyad Jalal Badakhchanitranslates three shorter but significant works of Tusi on Nizari Ismaili doctrines, namely Solidarity and Dissociation (Tawala wa tabarra), Desideratum of ...
Editor's note: The late Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan (1933 - 2003) had a particular fondness for the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Mr. William M. Johnson, editor of the on-line journal The Monachus Guardian, which is dedicated to "Monk Seals and their Threatened Habitats," had the pleasure of accompanying the Prince on several of his visits to Greece. Below we publish ...
News story -- he IIS is pleased to announce the publication of Spiritual Quest: Reflections on Qur'anic Prayer According to the Teachings of Imam Ali, the third in the Occasional Papers Series. In this book, Dr Shah-Kazemiexplores the role that the Qur'an plays in the daily lives of Muslims in the contemporary world. He argues that the Qur'an is thefountainhead of a ...
News story -- The Institute of Ismaili Studies hosted a bi-lingual French/English conference on 'Science and Philosophy in Classical Islamic Civilization' from 3-5 December 2010. The event constituted the 8th International Colloquium of the Société Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences et de la Philosophie Arabes et Islamiques (SIHSPAI) that has its Secretariat in Paris at the Centre d'Histoire des Sciences et des Philosophies ...
News story -- His final work, Eagle's Nest: Ismaili Castles in Iran and Syria, published in 2005 by The Institute of Ismaili Studies in association with I.B. Tauris, is recognised as the standard work on the subject. A Persian translation of the same was published in Tehran in 2007. Peter Willey began his archaeological research in 1959 and, over the course of ...
A sign welcoming the current 49th Ismaili Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, to Syria. Photo: Arif Babul, Vancouver. Copyright. Editor's Note:In a highly elaborate and absorbing four part interview with Simerg (see link below) astrophysicist Arif Babul had raised the concern about the challenges many parents in the Western World face in giving their children a sense of identity. Arif ...
Healthy Hints Dhokri is one of the few Indian snacks that is steamed, so choose it in preference to fried snacks like samosas or bhajias. If you want to cut calories even further, omit the vaghar and simply garnish with coconut and freshly chopped coriander leaves. 200 g gram flour, sieved 1 tsp crushed green chilli 1 tsp garlic paste 3 ...
By Omid Safi Omid Safi One of the lower points in the Park51 Center controversy was the comment by New York Governor David Paterson: "This group who has put this mosque together, they are known as the Sufi Muslims. This is not like the Shiites...They're almost like a hybrid, almost westernized. They are not really what I would classify in the ...
Sinndar and Siyouni are attractions of the day on Sunday 6th February. and SIYOUNI are attractions of the day on Sunday 6th February. Visitors will be welcomed to H.H. the Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval in Normandy on Sunday 6th February when stallions SINNDAR and newcomer SIYOUNI will be stars of the show. A Group 1 winner as a juvenile, SIYOUNI ...
News story -- Professor Karim H. Karim, Co-Director of the Institute, gave a talk titled 'The Ismailis: An Islamic Engagement with Modernity' at Manchester Metropolitan University on 15 November 2010. The talk was organised by the University as part of their Multicultural Studies programme. Professor Karim's lecture explored the Ismaili Muslim community's engagement with modernity under the guidance of its present Imam, ...
"Today's Mahdiya may seem small, but during its heyday Mahdiya was the Fatimid capital of North Africa and the successful home base that led to the conquest of Cairo, which then ultimately led to the city's demise as Cairo took over as the capital of the Fatimid empire" - excerpt from Tunisia.com Mahdiya today - Mahdiya as a fishing village has ...
Nutrition Centre -- You might think that you are sufficiently careful about food hygiene because you wash your hands regularly and store food in the fridge, but the dangerous germs and bacteria that lurk about your kitchen can cause food poisoning. These tips on preparing, cooking, storing and reheating your meals can help you to minimise the risks. Always wash your ...
By Jehangir A. Merchant "A thousand years ago, my forefathers, the Fatimid imam-caliphs of Egypt, founded al-Azhar University and the Academy of Knowledge in Cairo. In the Islamic tradition, they viewed the discovery of knowledge as a way to understand, so as to serve better God's creation, to apply knowledge and reason to build society and shape human aspirations" - Excerpt ...
Canada -- With the walls of the new Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum beginning to emerge along Wynford Drive, Toronto architectural firm Moriyama & Teshima discussed the projects at a recent event held at the Ontario Science Centre. Their presentation, which took place against the backdrop of an exhibition of images and architectural renderings, was attended by prominent guests including ...
by Zayn Kassam Henry Corbin (1903 - 1978) was one of the 20th century's most prolific scholars of Islamic mysticism. Corbin was Professor of Islam and Islamic Philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris and at the University of Teheran. Photo: Eranos Archive Introduction: Corbin's Universe If scholarship is an entrance into a mental universe, then the gateway opened to us by ...
The eagerly awaited first foal of Sea The Stars was born on Friday 21st January. The bay colt was born just before midnight at 11.50 pm at Castlebridge Stud. Out of Centreofattention, a full sister to the dual Group 1 winning two-year-old Holy Roman Emperor, the foal was described by Bill Dwan as "a smashing colt with plenty of size and ...
A fifth title in six years for the Aga Khan Studs. In a year when Prince Karim Aga Khan celebrated half a century at the head of the family breeding and racing operation, the Aga Khan Studs cemented their position as leaders in the French industry with yet another title in the France Galop standings for 2010. The famous green and ...
Healthy Hints As you would expect, a pudding made from sweetened condensed milk is unlikely to be very healthy. Perhaps try experimenting with unsweetened condensed milk and a few teaspoons of sugar added for sweetness. Or simply watch your portion size as you get over 100 Calories from the sugar alone! 12 g China grass 340 ml water 750 ml whole ...
Editor's note: In Part I of this essay, Parvin Peerwani provided a brief background of the life of Nasir Khusraw and explained his definition of 'aql and the general categories of knowledge such as the distinction between marifah and 'ilm. The modes of knowledge and the relationship of the human soul with the Universal Intellect was described. Based on Hakim Nasir's ...
Portugal -- What defines being old? Is it reaching a particular age? Retiring from the workplace? And what meaningful roles can the elderly play in society today? These and other matters were put forward at a recent gathering of seniors in Lisbon. These and other matters were put forward at a recent gathering of seniors in Lisbon. Held at the Ismaili ...
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 21 January 2011 - The Musical Arts of the Pamirs, Volumes I, II, and III was launched today at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe. Published by the University of Central Asia (UCA), the three-volume set is part of a five-volume study on folk music, oral history, and theatre traditions from the Pamir region of Tajikistan. Widely viewed as the most ...
Nutrition Centre -- It's that time of year when we tend to feel the effects of over-indulgence from the holiday season, and promises of effortless weight loss lure us into trying the hottest new diet. This year, aim to adopt a balanced way of eating that will not leave you watching the clock for the next meal time. It's that time ...
Editor's note: Legendary Muhammad Ali passed away on June 3, 2016 at the age of 74. Muhammad Ali carrying the Olympic Torch at the 25th Olympiad held in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996, which marked the centenary year of the modern Olympics. To his daughter the world's greatest athlete, three times heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali (1942-2016), was simply known as Daddy. In ...
By Parvin S. Peerwani This statue of the Ismaili da'i and intellectual giant Pir Nasir Khusraw stands in his memory in Badakhshan. "Kindle the candle of intellect in your heart and hasten with it to the world of brightness; If you want to light a candle in your heart, make knowledge and goodness its wick and oil," he wrote. Part I: ...
News story -- The IIS hosted a series of international events in Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver in Canada and Leicester in the UK to launch A Companion to Muslim Ethics. This second volume in the Muslim Heritage Series, edited by Dr Amyn B. Sajoo, provides academics, students and other interested readers with an insight into the roots of Islam's ethical framework - ...
Artist: Hamida Madhani Location: Georgia, USA Profile: Hamida Madhani is a Georgia based contemporary artist, creative director and designer. Her fascination with art began at a very young age which led her to pursue her education in visual communication and digital art. Her art has been commissioned by collectors internationally and has been exhibited in galleries in the US. Hamida Madhani ...
News story -- Stephen Burge, from IIS' Qur'anic Studies Unit, organised a pre-conference workshop at the American Academy of Religion's Annual Meeting in association with the Qur'an Group of the AAR, in Atlanta, USA, on 29 October 2010. Entitled "The Meaning of the Word: Lexicology and Tafsir", the workshop formed the first part of a project run by the Qur'an Group exploring ...
United States -- Dr. Francesca Leoni delivered a presentation to mark the millennial anniversary of Firdawsi's Shahnama. The presentation took place at the University of Texas at Arlington, with support from its Office of the Provost, the University's College of Liberal Arts, and the Ismaili Council for Northern Texas. ...
by Abdulaziz Shamsuddin The word Imama, from its Arabic root I-m-m (lit: leader, to be in front of), is normally used for the 'supreme leadership' of the Muslim community after the death of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). [1] According to the Islamic concept of Divine Guidance and Mediation, man is created in the best form and is given intellect. This is attested ...
News story -- Over the course of six decades, his innovative and prolific output and teaching have touched the lives of many, besides being the motive force behind a surge in the number of historians specialising in Islamic art, particularly in the United States. Prof. Azim Nanji, former director of the IIS and currently Senior Associate Director of the Abbasi Program in ...
News story -- A Dissertation Writing Scholarship is awarded annually by the IIS to doctoral students reaching completion of their studies. This year's recipient is Fârès Gillon who is completing his doctoral studies at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, a Graduate school created in 1868, associated with the University of Paris.Mr. Gillon's doctoral project investigates one of the oldest available Ismaili ...
The Hijra: Movement of God's People By Omid Safi Editor's Note: The following essay draws from the author's book Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters (HarperOne, 2009). We are greatly indebted to Professor Omid Safi for his permission to reproduce the essay on this Web site. Copyright © Omid Safi. The Islamic calendar does not begin with the year of ...
Mourad, Mandali and Ashkazar all score over hurdles, while Zaidpour is Gr 1 runner-up. Aga Khan-breds are renowned for their versatility and class if they proceed to a second career over hurdles and during the festive period a host of former bearers of the famous green and red silks have once again demonstrated their talents in the National Hunt discipline. Mourad ...
News story -- Following on from the pre-conference workshop at the American Academy of Religion's Annual Meeting in October, the Qur'anic Studies Lecture Series, entitled The Meaning of the Word Lexicology and Tafsir, has been launched at the IIS. This series of lectures organised by Dr Stephen Burge, aims to explore the relationships between Qur'anic tafsir and lexicology, which is the study ...
My effort to defend the value of culture, through the Aga Khan Development Network, and specifically through its dedicated agency, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, focuses its activities in four main areas: the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme; the Aga Khan Award for Architecture; the Aga Khan Music Initiative; and Museum Projects. These activities, which are themselves subdivided into a ...
Practically no countries [sic] in Asia, Africa or the Middle East have a political landscape rooted in a strong two-party system as do many Western democracies. The probable consequence is that in many if not most countries of the developing world, coalition government will be omnipresent in the decades ahead. Yet few of these countries have any established experience with coalition ...
Healthy Hints Although delicious, this is luxury bread if you are watching your weight. If you do choose to have it, perhaps avoid the butter, have a smaller wedge and accompany your kuku paka with boiled rice instead. 475 g short grain rice 1½ tsp yeast 20 ml lukewarm water 100 g coconut cream 360 ml semi-skimmed milk ½ tsp heaped ...
