Community News

How does one define their role and value in society, or one’s purpose in life? Are we atomised beings moving through life in a random fashion or connected and “born of a single soul,” as the Qur’an informs us? How are we connected, and what is an individual without a community?

In his address at TEDxOudMetha, held at the Ismaili Centre Dubai weeks before widespread social distancing was implemented, Dr Salmaan Keshavjee, Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard University and Director of the Harvard Medical School’s Centre for Global Health Delivery, discussed how many other diseases, beyond Covid-19, continue to affect peoples’ quality of life and cause untimely death, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and even curable infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB).

As we journey through this challenging time, we are also faced with many opportunities: the opportunity to enrich our minds and bodies, to engage more with our families, to focus on faith, and to come together and strengthen our sense of community. With this in mind, The Ismaili is pleased to present The Ismaili TV.

We are living in a different world compared to just three months ago. Critical parts of our lives have been uprooted and turned upside down, which has led to a further spiral of worry and stress. We want to be helpful, so we tend to share information that comforts and reassures us - however, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s accurate, and in fact, it often contributes to the growing uncertainty.

In January this year, the Ismaili Council for Syria presided over a talent performance of Jubilee Arts artists in Damascus, attracting over 800 people, including leaders and members of the Jamat and guests.