Features
Are you curious to learn more about Islamic history, culture, and societies? The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) publishes a wide range of books that explore some of the diverse manifestations of Islam. This guide, in celebration of World Book Day, suggests a few good places to start.
Ever wonder why our parents tell us to drink milk with turmeric and saffron when we are fighting a cold? Or why so many diverse spices are added to our foods to add flavour and more? Our cultural foods — whether from Central Asia, South Asia, or the Middle East — have a beautiful history, but they can also be perceived as unhealthy. While some dishes do indeed cause concern, many are healthy or can be made healthy with some simple tweaks.
Grains are a basic food in households around the world and can be broken down into two categories: whole grains and refined grains. Unlike the refined grain, the whole grain kernel or the seed has all three parts intact: the bran, germ, and endosperm. Each one of these parts offer health promoting benefits. The bran, which is the outermost layer, contains the fibre, B vitamins, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants. The germ is the centre most part of the seed and it is loaded with healthy fats, vitamin E, B vitamins, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. The endosperm is the innermost layer that holds the carbohydrates, protein, and small amounts of B vitamins.
Hidden among the bustling streets of South Mumbai and its sprawling skyline lies a haven of solace and peace: Hasanabad. Often described as ‘Mumbai’s Taj Mahal’, the monument is a mausoleum or dargah: the final resting place of Imam Hasan Ali Shah, the 46th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
Last March, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a global pandemic. After 12 months of mixed emotions and disruption to our lives, what have we learned, and where do we go from here?
I always saw the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as a daunting exam; nevertheless, the fact that so many students would be taking it with me physically gave me some sense of moral support, even if that support was coming from strangers.
Many aspects of our daily lives can cause stress and coping with these stresses is an important element of maintaining our mental wellbeing. One of the leading causes of stress is financial circumstance. Many people are dealing with job loss, increasing debt, and unexpected expenses, especially during this time of uncertainty. Here are five tips to assist you in coping with financial stresses.
The Ismaili is pleased to publish an interview with Shiraz Allibhai, Deputy Director of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. As part of a series of conversations with key figures, Mr Allibhai discusses the positive impact of culture and its development potential, and humanity’s shared responsibility to preserve heritage.
Welcome to The Ismaili Magazine 2020: A Year of Extraordinary Service. This digital magazine provides a whistle-stop tour across continents, highlighting the various programmes, initiatives, and events organised by AKDN and Jamati institutions around the world over the past 12 months.
With optimism and hope for a new beginning, and as we all think about our resolutions for the new year, The Ismaili would like to share with you 21 Goals for 2021!
With a nod to each one of our 21 Ismaili Council jurisdictions across the globe, and inspired by our 20 Goals for 2020, we hope we can resolve to accomplish them all together.
Happy New Year!
It is tempting to think that we can just leave 2020 behind and look ahead to a fresh new year. However, this might be short-sighted. The bigger picture suggests that collectively, we have never learned so much in such a short space of time — about the world, about each other, and about ourselves. It would be wise to hold on to these lessons, as we may soon need to put them into action...
The year 2020 has rapidly become one of the most disruptive in living memory. Just as one life-altering crisis becomes embedded in the collective consciousness, other developments gain attention, raising additional questions to address. Many of us are asking, what is our responsibility? What can we do, and how can we help?