Community News
“Of course, Mummy,” responds Zoya Nayani, the main character of Pebbles to Penguins: A Story of Renewal. Zoya’s definite statement is not unlike the responses of many people when asked, “Are you okay?” Entrenched in the context of the pandemic — like nearly everyone else in the world — the directors of Pebbles to Penguins are committed to uncovering the psychological subtext of these conversations.
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.
Today we share a story about two children, Nargis and Aziz, who celebrate the festival of Navroz with their family. Parents and grandparents may wish to read this story with children, whether in person or over a video call.
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.
This week, on the third episode of The Ismaili TV’s Trailblazers, we are joined by Latif Nasser, the host and executive producer of the Netflix documentary series ‘Connected: The Hidden Science of Everything’, and host of two podcast series’. He received a PhD in the history of science from Harvard University and is the recipient of the 2021 duPont Columbia Award for his series ‘The Other Latif’.
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.
Farah Williamson’s story is multi-faceted. As a 10-year-old girl, she had to flee her home country, Rwanda, during the 1994 genocide. Today, Farah is the co-founder of Project Shelter Wakadogo, a not-for-profit school in Gulu, Uganda. Farah speaks about these experiences and more in the second episode of The Ismaili TV’s original series Trailblazers.
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.
Trailblazers, a new original series airing exclusively on the Ismaili TV, will showcase Ismaili professionals from around the world who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields.
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.
When the pandemic struck and forced a nation-wide lockdown, it decimated thousands of small businesses across India. Gripped by uncertainty, and burdened with the costs of rent and inventory, many small businesses struggled to survive. As an immediate response to support the Jamat’s financial needs, the Ismailia Co-operative Credit Society Limited, Hyderabad (ICCS), launched a new series of financial products, offering a much-needed financial lifeline to the Jamat during this time.
Take any highly successful person and chances are that person had a mentor to guide his or her journey, but when Kenyan-born Azan Virji set out to obtain a world-class medical education in the United States, he didn’t know whose path he could follow.