Community News
Painting a better tomorrow
20 May 2019
In Uganda, volunteer communities have come together in numerous ways to create positive change — a cornerstone of civil society. In a small township in the northern part of Kampala, more than 50 volunteers between the ages of 11 and 15 put their hands to work repainting the Kyanja Muslim Nursery School in late April.
US seniors show their passion for recreational music
14 May 2019
Recreation plays a key role in the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone, young and old. For seniors especially, involvement in recreation has a number of benefits in enhancing cognitive and motor skills, and provides an opportunity for socializing and developing new talents. For a group of seniors in the USA, a passion for music has shown that age is no limit to composing and performing for themselves and others.
Have you thought about your mental health?
12 May 2019
Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week in the United Kingdom, while May represents Mental Health Month in the United States. The occasion provides an ideal opportunity to ask and understand what mental health actually is, and to explore some of the existing perceptions around it.
Asteroid named after Ismaili scientist
6 May 2019
It is a rare and historic honor to have an object in space named after an individual. This is usually reserved for someone who first discovers the object, generally after years of painstaking observation of the night sky. So to be recognized in this manner is indeed an occasion worthy of note. This is precisely what happened for Alaudin Bhanji at the end of 2018.
Racing ahead of the game
27 April 2019
As we sat in a bakery at London’s South Kensington waiting for our tea and cakes, I couldn't help but sense how composed the young woman sitting opposite me was. In Nabila Tejpar’s profession however, I sensed that staying calm under pressure came with the job. It wasn't every day that you met a young Ismaili woman who was taking the UK rally driving scene by storm.
US seniors display creative talents through the arts
11 April 2019
Art has been shown to be of therapeutic value, creating a sense of calm, engaging creative areas of the brain and offsetting depression, especially in older adults, offering a valuable pastime for everyone to consider. Here, we feature the works of four artists, all senior members of the Jamat, who arrived in the US from different countries, and who display their cultural sensibilities in their colorful creations.
Improving women's health in Gorno-Badakhshan
6 April 2019
Nestled at the base of the Pamir mountain range lies Gorno-Badakhshan (GBAO), a place of immense beauty within a harsh and rugged mountainous region — home of Nasir Khusraw. The population in Badakhshan is predominantly Ismaili and live in small villages along the slopes of the Pamirs or near the tributaries of the Pyanj River that divides Tajikistan from Afghanistan.
World Health Day: Health for all
5 April 2019
World Health Day is commemorated on 7 April all over the world, to raise awareness and draw attention towards the importance of global health. To mark this occasion, The.Ismaili highlights the need to take care of one’s well being in the face of increasing public health concerns.
Devotional music: A timeless art of mysticism, beauty, and connectivity
28 March 2019
In 1978, the Canadian Jamat awaited Hazar Imam’s first visit to Canada with excitement. Shamshu Jamal, a talented Vancouver musician, expressed his joy on this blessed occasion by composing “Maara Mawla Canada Padhaarshe,” the devotional music piece that would go on to become an iconic musical tribute in the Canadian Ismaili community for generations.
The Ismaili Centre Dubai – a reflection on the first decade
28 February 2019
Over the past decade since its opening, the Ismaili Centre Dubai has become established as a multidisciplinary hub of culture, faith, education, and community identity. Exemplifying the core values of Ismaili Muslims, the Centre offers a platform for dialogue, unity, and progress within the Jamat and the wider community.
Are you ‘connected’? The Internet and its potential impact on health
26 February 2019
It is estimated that at the end of 2018, 51.2 per cent of the global population, or 3.9 billion people, were using the Internet. While the Internet has brought about many positive changes, there have also been some undesirable effects of its growth and increased usage.
USA Jamatkhanas play important role in diversity and pluralism
10 February 2019
Jamatkhanas and Ismaili Centres play an important role in the lives of the Ismaili community in the USA but they also play a very important role in promoting diversity and pluralism in the communities where they exist.
