Culture

Video: Navroz greetings from the global Jamat
19 March 2020

Navroz Mubarak from the global Jamat! While we are practicing physical distancing, remain connected to each other and celebrate the new year together with these video messages from all over the world.

The Sufi saint and poet Rabia al-Basri lived an independent life and became influential among a circle of theologians and scholars.
The Sufi saint and poet Rabia al-Basri lived an independent life and became influential among a circle of theologians and scholars.
International Women’s Day: Celebrating Rabia al-Basri
International Women’s Day: Celebrating Rabia al-Basri
6 March 2020

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March 2020, we celebrate the achievements of women — historical and contemporary — who have inspired and continue to inspire people of all faiths, backgrounds, and fields of endeavour.

The audience enjoys a performance by Takkaat — a well-known band composed of five Ismaili artists who met through Jubilee Arts, and were part of the Syrian contingent at the International Arts Festival.

Jubilee Arts legacy in Syria

The audience enjoys a performance by Takkaat — a well-known band composed of five Ismaili artists who met through Jubilee Arts, and were part of the Syrian contingent at the International Arts Festival.
Video: Jubilee Arts legacy lives on in Syria
8 February 2020

After the International Arts Festival held in Lisbon in July 2018, the number of Ismaili artists in Syria has increased, with the offering of intensive training and rehearsals organised by the Ismaili Council. A host of artists came together to perform on the occasion of Imamat Day in 2019.

Artists highlighted the diversity of the community, presenting cultural performances of different countries including Syria, India, Tajikistan, Egypt, Pakistan, and Iran.
Artists highlighted the diversity of the community, presenting cultural performances of different countries including Syria, India, Tajikistan, Egypt, Pakistan, and Iran.
Jubilee Arts legacy lives on in Syria
Jubilee Arts legacy lives on in Syria
7 February 2020

The Syrian Jamat commemorated Imamat Day in 2019 by reminiscing about Jubilee Arts during an event where artists came together to perform traditional songs and dances, demonstrating dedication, passion, and excellence in their performances.

Participants enroute, via boat, to the Arcadia Education Project. The school, which won the 2019 Award, is an amphibious structure, built on land, that is flood-prone.
Participants enroute, via boat, to the Arcadia Education Project. The school, which won the 2019 Award, is an amphibious structure, built on land, that is flood-prone.
Building regional partnerships: Learning from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Building regional partnerships: Learning from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
27 January 2020

It’s a cool and damp morning at a school in South Kanarchor, on the outskirts of Dhaka. As the children break for recess, they’re greeted by the sight of six young visitors, approaching the school by boat. The children clamour around the bamboo railings excitedly. Nestled in the heart of South Kanarchor is the Arcadia Education Project, one of the winners of the 2019 cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA). Built on land that floods regularly, the amphibious structure is an innovative solution that responds to climate, context, and community. And that’s exactly what the visitors were there to learn about.

Rediscovering heritage in Pakistan
Rediscovering heritage in Pakistan
9 January 2020

Last month, young members of the Jamat in Pakistan had the opportunity to tour interior Sindh and Karachi on a journey to reflect on and understand the importance of cultural heritage. The trip was organised as part of the Heritage Discovery Tour (HDT), a flagship programme of the Arts and Culture portfolio of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Pakistan.

Chorshanbe Alovatov from Tajikistan says that music has been a passion since early childhood.
Chorshanbe Alovatov from Tajikistan says that music has been a passion since early childhood.
Ismaili musician wins Central Asia’s Got Talent
Ismaili musician wins Central Asia’s Got Talent
29 December 2019

Music college graduate and second-generation singer in his family, Chorshanbe Alovatov from Tajikistan won the popular Central Asia’s Got Talent show final on 22 December 2019. The show, which toured four countries in the region, culminated in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The final creation of DiversiTree to celebrate the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.
The final creation of DiversiTree to celebrate the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.
Art installation in Dubai teaches about diversity
Art installation in Dubai teaches about diversity
29 December 2019

In an effort to highlight the importance of tolerance, President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has proclaimed this year the ‘Year of Tolerance’. With this in mind, an event called DiversiTree was recently held at the Ismaili Centre Dubai. The project, which is part art installation and part performance art, brought together the collective creativity of the community to design a transformative experience for children and adults. This collaborative installation and performance brought to life the concept of diversity, while at the same time developing a breathtaking creation of artistic beauty.

Members of the audience listen intently as the Aga Khan Master Musicians perform at the Ismaili Centre Lisbon in December 2019.
Members of the audience listen intently as the Aga Khan Master Musicians perform at the Ismaili Centre Lisbon in December 2019.
Celebrating culture, diversity, and pluralism at the Ismaili Centre Lisbon
Celebrating culture, diversity, and pluralism at the Ismaili Centre Lisbon
29 December 2019

On 18 December 2019, the Aga Khan Master Musicians with special guest Jasser Haj-Youssef delighted an audience at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon. They highlighted the unity between different countries and continents, and between the present and the past by exploring various forms of classical, folk, jazz, and contemporary music.

Noura Al Sayeh is honoured at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019 Ceremony for her work on the Revitalisation of Muharraq in Bahrain.

Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019 cycle

Noura Al Sayeh is honoured at the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019 Ceremony for her work on the Revitalisation of Muharraq in Bahrain.
Video: Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2019
24 November 2019

In case you missed the live webcast from Kazan in September, The Ismaili is pleased to publish the full 50-minute Aga Khan Award for Architecture film. Mawlana Hazar Imam presided over the 14th cycle of the award, which is presented every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture, planning practices, historic preservation, and landscape architecture.

Aga Khan Award for Architecture trophies lined up in preparation for the prize-giving ceremony to begin.
Aga Khan Award for Architecture trophies lined up in preparation for the prize-giving ceremony to begin.
From Calgary to Kazan: An architect's journey
From Calgary to Kazan: An architect's journey
24 November 2019

As I prepare to leave for Kazan to attend the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, I feel somewhat stunned by the immense privilege of being part of such a unique event set to take place in such a magnificent city...

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra are welcomed to Ottawa by Ameerally Kassim-Lakha, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Jamat.
Mawlana Hazar Imam and Princess Zahra are welcomed to Ottawa by Ameerally Kassim-Lakha, President of the Ismaili Council for Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Jamat.
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Canada for Global Pluralism Awards ceremony
Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Canada for Global Pluralism Awards ceremony
19 November 2019

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Canada today, accompanied by Princess Zahra, in advance of a ceremony to recognise the recipients of the 2019 Global Pluralism Award.

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