Community News

This week, on our fourth episode of Trailblazers, we are joined by Rahim Daya, CEO of Barclays Private Bank, Switzerland, as well as the head of Middle East at Barclays. Based in Dubai, Rahim is responsible for the management and strategy of Barclays, Middle East, and is a drummer for the band, Khayal, having performed all across the globe, including at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon in 2018.

Next weekend, the Jamat around the world will celebrate Navroz, marking the beginning of a new year and the first day of spring. The Ismaili TV is pleased to present a two-day Navroz programme featuring programmes in multiple languages for children and adults alike.

Art historians and enthusiasts often recognize the 10th through 13th centuries as a period that marked an increase in the usage of symmetrical, geometric patterns in the Muslim world. Most likely aided by Muslim mathematicians, artists and artisans produced a large variety of designs. Many of these geometric models developed interpretations of ornament that embody metaphysical intent.

The complex challenges facing our increasingly volatile world — from climate change to rural development to security — are also a source of opportunity for the next generation of leaders and changemakers. Around the world, young Ismailis like Rufayda Dhamani, Nurmuhammad Butabekov, and Aleem Rehmtulla are taking creative approaches to address these issues and prepare for the future of the global economy.

The Covid-19 pandemic has put economies around the world to the test. Unemployment has reached alarming levels, many industries have seen massive declines in revenue, and business models once thought reliable were disrupted. Surviving these circumstances required building new skill sets, adjusting career plans, and revising business strategies at an unprecedented pace. Inspiring stories have emerged of Ismailis who met these challenges with resilience as well as community institutions that stepped up to support the Jamat through times of hardship.