VIDEO: خطاب سمو الإمام في حفل تكريم دفعة خريجيّ عام 2020
Syria -- خطاب سمو الإمام في حفل تكريم دفعة خريجيّ عام 2020 ...
VIDEO: Aga Khan Development Network | Quote of the Week
#Speech by His Highness the #AgaKhan at the #GlobalConvocation ceremony of the @Aga Khan University on 22 May 2021. Read the full speech here: ...
Report and Photos: Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, Addresses First Global Convocation of Aga Khan University to a Worldwide Audience
The Seal of the Aga Khan University - at the centre of the Seal is a star, or sun. Light is a universal symbol for the enlightenment that education provides. The light emanating from the star is also symbolic of Nur (Divine Light). The star incorporates 49 rays to commemorate the University's founding by His Highness the Aga Khan, the forty-ninth Imam ...
Photographs of Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan, and Members of His Family from the Bernard Gotfryd Collection at the US Library of Congress
Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan (Aga Khan, Prince Shah Karim al Hussaini, as cited by the photographer). Photo created or published 1973 or 1974. Photo Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Bernard Gotfryd. Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT (Publisher-Editor, Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos) For years, my search of the website of the US Library of Congress ...
Paving a path in a new cyber era
Global -- As technology advances and the realm of cyberspace becomes more central in our personal and professional lives, understanding the landscape of cyber security and technological policy will become ever more important. The cyber security and technology policy sectors can often seem complex and confusing. However, as we move towards a world with technology at the heart of nearly everything ...
GALLERY: Awarding sustainable architecture
"Sustainable architecture" is now well known, especially as a reaction to the risks inherent in climate change, but the Aga Khan Award for Architecture has been giving out its prize to projects that are good for people and the planet for at least 40 years. Although selection is always based on the principle of excellence, the independent Master Jury has nonetheless ...
VIDEO: FAM360 To Build a Brighter Future
FAM360 is a new initiative for families in our Jamat to help prepare for the future through emergency preparedness, wills & directives, financial literacy, exercise & nutrition, parental engagement, and mental health. Is your family prepared to build a brighter future? ...
Salamiyya was the residence of Imams during pre-Fatimid time
Salamiyya (Salamieh), in Syria, played an important role in early Ismaili history as the secret headquarters of the da'wa in pre-Fatimid time. Imam Muhammad b. Ismail succeeded his father to the Imamat around 738, at the age of twenty-six during a turbulent time in Medina, due to the dispute over the successors of his grandfather and father as well as anti-Alid ...
Photo of the Day: The Simurgh at the Aga Khan Museum's Beautiful Bellerive Room by Afraaz Mulji
A close-up of the Simurgh vase at Aga Khan Museum's beautiful Bellerive Room. Photo: © Malik Merchant/Simergphotos. By AFRAAZ MULJI My favourite ceramic artefact from the Prince Sadruddin collection at the Aga Khan Museum is known as Simurgh, after the Conference of the Birds story by Attar. [1] I have always been drawn to birds and the art of flight, both in ...
VIDEO: Ya Imami Haqq
This week, The Ismaili presents a rendition of "Ya Imami Haqq" by Ambarkhan Sarojkhan from Tajikistan. The song's lyrics express gratitude for the grace of the Imam-of-the-Time, while the video illustrates that one's generosity may be returned in the most unexpected way. ...
VIDEO: Lunchtime Lecture: Yasuke: African Samurai in Japan
How did a real-life 16th-century African-born warrior become a bodyguard to a European missionary in India, a confidant to Japan's most powerful warlord, and a 21st-century pop culture icon? To celebrate Asian Heritage Month and the historical figures who have contributed to Asian culture, the Aga Khan Museum presents a lecture by history professor Thomas Lockley, of Nihon University College of Law ...
Simerg's Special Series on Books by Ismaili Authors: "RSVP Rice and Stew Very Plenty" by Nazlin Rahemtulla of Vancouver, British Columbia
by MALIK MERCHANTPublisher/Editor Simerg, Barakah andSimergphotos Simerg's series entitled "Books by Ismaili Authors" continues with Canadian writer Nazlin Rahemtulla's book "RSVP Rice and Stew Very Plenty" (carrying the subtitle "The Story of an Ismaili Girl's Expulsion from Uganda and Acceptance in Canada"). We follow the same Q/A format as our recent presentations of books written by Azmina Suleman, Alnasir Rajan, Shafeen ...
VIDEO: Music for a New Day: An Inclusive Musical Composition
In March and April of 2021, the Museum brought together a cast of Canada-based performers to compose and record a new musical work symbolizing renewal, hope, and the transformative beauty of diverse cultures honouring each other. With musical direction by renowned Iranian-Canadian composer and instrumentalist Kiya Tabassian, Music for a New Day is a world premiere event. Tune in for a fascinating short ...
VIDEO: Remarks from Texas Senator Angela Paxton Recognizing the Ismaili Muslim Community
On May 26, 2021, Texas State Senator Angela Paxton recognized the volunteer work of the Ismaili Muslim community across Texas. Senator Paxton specifically highlighted the importance of the food, water, and vaccine drives carried out at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, particularly in the challenging times presented by the COVID 19 pandemic and the recent winter freeze. ...
New Book by Zahir Dhalla, available free for download: 49 Ginans: A Study Book
Zahir K. Dhalla's 16th non-profit book has just been published. FREE download on Amazon, between Friday May 28 and Tuesday June 1, inclusive. [Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read all of ...
The importance of religious education and formation
Portugal -- Once a boy asked his teacher, "How great is God?" Looking out the window, the teacher saw a plane and asked the student: "How big is that plane?" The student said, "It's so small, you can hardly see it." The teacher took the students to an airport and when they arrived near a plane asked: "And now, how big ...
Jamatkhanas Re-opening Updates
Canada -- Canadian Jamatkhanas are starting to be reopened. Stay up to date with openings and related information in your province. ...
Harnessing the potential of science and technology in Pakistan
Global -- Embracing new technologies and investing in innovation is perhaps no longer a choice, but a necessity. In line with this view, Imamat and Jamati institutions in Pakistan are harnessing the potential of digital transformation to improve lives across the region. The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) recently collaborated with the Government of Pakistan's Special Communications Organisation (SCO) to open an ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam: "How can we inspire people to reach beyond rampant materialism, self-indulgent individualism, and unprincipled relativism?"
"How can we inspire people to reach beyond rampant materialism, self-indulgent individualism, and unprincipled relativism... Apassion for justice, the quest for equality, a respect for tolerance, a dedication to human dignity - these are universal human values which are broadly shared across divisions of class, race, language, faith and geography. They constitute what classical philosophers - in the East and West ...
An Interview with Ambassador Sada Cumber
USA -- Ambassador, public servant, serial entrepreneur, investor, strategic consultant, philanthropist; these are just a few dimensions to the personality and identity of Sada Cumber. Dreams do come true, Sada reflects; as a young boy in Karachi, not from an affluent family and with eight other siblings, he would gaze at the large mansions in the city and the large cars ...
VIDEO: Aga Khan University | Global Convocation Cermony
The first-ever #GlobalConvocation ceremony of the @Aga Khan University (#AKU) live-streamed to a worldwide audience on Saturday, 22 May 2021, as 667 students on three continents received their degrees. For more about the #AgaKhan University: ...
Siyouni available on Southern Hemisphere calendar
Arc winning sire will cover mares to Southern Hemisphere time. Perennial French Champion sire and current third in the European standings, SIYOUNI will be made available at the Haras de Bonneval during the second semester of 2021, to cover mares on a Southern Hemisphere schedule at a fee of €100,000. The Aga Khan stallion is notably sire of St Mark's Basilica, ...
VIDEO: Jiyo Zindagi Umang Ke Sang (PROMO) - Ek Baar Phir with Amin Virani LIVE - Saturday, May 29, 5PM
Here is the link to the live session on Saturday: ...
VIDEO: Aga Khan University | Global Convocation | Highlights
Highlights of the @Aga Khan University's #GlobalConvocation ceremony for the #Classof2020. For more about the #AgaKhan University: ...
VIDEO: Understanding the What and Why of RE - an ECD Session by ITREB, India
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Two Great Readings from Ismaili History: Mu'aayad Shirazi and Ghaddir-Khumm by (Late) Jehangir A. Merchant
Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT (Publisher-Editor, Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)Alwaez Jehangir and Alwaeza Maleksultan Merchant pictured at Gatineau Park during their visit to Ottawa in 2007. Thursday May 27, 2021, will be the 3rd anniversary of the passing of Jehangir Merchant (December 13, 1928 - May 27, 2018), father of Malik (publisher and editor of this website), Fahar and his wife Nina, ...
VIDEO: The Ismaili Imams: A Biographical History by Farhad Daftary
In this video, Dr Farhad Daftary speaks about how this book builds on decades of research, and represents an important contribution to the Ismaili community. Dr Farhad Daftary, Co-Director of The Institute of Ismaili Studies and, since 1992, Head of the Department of Academic Research and Publications is a leading authority on Shi'i studies, and particularly its Ismaili tradition. In this ...
IIS Sponsors Panel on Ismaili Thought at Aquinas and the Arabs Conference
News story -- The IIS has continued its engagement with the Aquinas and "the Arabs" International Working Group Meeting this year, which runs online in May-June 2021. On May 19th, the Institute sponsored the panel "Ismaili Thought: Between Neoplatonism and Aquinas" at the conference, which this year has the title "Philosophy in the Abrahamic Traditions: Structures of Being, World and Mind". The ...
Interview with Rahim Hirji, technology consultant and country manager at Quizlet
Global -- In this insightful conversation with The Ismaili, Rahim Hirji details the ways in which technology is having a growing influence on our everyday lives, coving topics from artifical intelligence and robotics, to social media and education. Detailing some of the opportunities and risks this presents, Rahim suggests how we might prepare for an increasingly digital future. The Covid-19 pandemic ...
VIDEO: Aga Khan Agency for Habitat | The Story of Basid | From the Pamirs of Tajikistan
To develop solutions to help vulnerable and disaster-affected communities plan for a better future, the #AgaKhan Agency for Habitat, the @Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the design firm KVA MATx collaborated on a case study on resilient, equitable and voluntary community relocation for Basid village in the Pamirs of #Tajikistan. The case study combines the community's own skills and knowledge with ...
VIDEO: Aga Khan Development Network | Quote of the Week
#Speech made by His Highness the #AgaKhan at the Foundation Ceremony of @Aga Khan University's Graduate School of #MediaandCommunications (AKU-GSMC), in Nairobi, Kenya on 27 July 2011. Read the full speech here: ...
Roz-e-Nur - The Day of Light
Tajikistan -- Roz-e-Nur Celebration in Khorog Roz-e-Nur or the Day of Light is celebrated every May in Tajikistan, to commemorate the first historic mulaqat granted by Mawlana Hazar Imam to his Jamat in the capital, Dushanbe, and his first visit to the Gorno-Badakhshan region on 25 May 1995. Since then, the Ismaili Jamat in the Pamir valley have celebrated this occasion ...
Pirs explain in ginans the ayat that we are traders in spiritual business
These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they guided (Qur'an 2:16) Such are those who buy the life of the world at the price of the Hereafter. Their punishment will not be lightened, neither will they have support (Qur'an 2:86). Ginans are a vast collection comprising several hundred poetic ...
"Moving Together": AKAH, MIT and KVA MATx work on voluntary relocation planning in Tajikistan
Relocation planning and design case study on exhibit at La Biennale di Venezia Bartang Valley, Tajikistan, 22 May 2021 - To develop solutions to help vulnerable and disaster-affected communities plan for a better future, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the design firm KVA MATx collaborated on a case study on voluntary relocation. ...
Ottawa's Dazzling Tulips at Dow's Lake, Rideau Falls and Major Hill's Park; and a Peek at the Contemplative Garden at the Global Centre for Pluralism
Tulips at Rideau Falls Park around a wall containing tiles from Iznik, a town which is the centre for ceramics in Turkey. Tulips originated in Turkey and were a common theme in Turkish art. May 20, 2021. Photo: © Malik Merchant/Simergphotos. By MALIK MERCHANT (Publisher-Editor, Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos) I finally made it to Ottawa after 15 months, and I was absolutely ...
Global Virtual Convocation of the Aga Khan University
22 May 2021 - The first-ever global convocation ceremony of the Aga Khan University (AKU) was live-streamed to a worldwide audience today, as 667 students on three continents received their degrees and listened to speeches by His Highness the Aga Khan, Chief Guest Melinda French Gates and AKU President Firoz Rasul. His Highness the Aga Khan, AKU's founder and Chancellor, expressed ...
Mawlana Hazar Imam congratulates AKU graduands for embarking on a path of service
Global -- Graduation ceremonies often signify moments of avid hope and possibility. The Aga Khan University's first ever global convocation was no different, as hundreds of graduands -- all dressed in green convocation robes -- celebrated with faculty, trustees, and guests, while a worldwide audience participated in the virtual festivities. As part of the unique occasion, Mawlana Hazar Imam delivered the ...
Saving a Life through a Chance Encounter
USA -- Super Bowl 55 was commemorated in February 2021 in an extraordinary way, by honoring vaccinated healthcare workers with tickets to the most sought-after annual NFL event. The pandemic has lasted for over a year now with frontline healthcare workers battling COVID-19 relentlessly. Luckily, Dr. Rahim Govani received a once-in-a-lifetime expense-paid opportunity to attend the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. ...
