Our Stories
See stories from the Ismaili Community around the world.
Cycling the open road: FOCUS Bike4Life 2008
15 March 2009
Sixty-nine people participated in the 2008 FOCUS Challenge event, cycling some 550 kilometres from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan Coast. This photo essay documents their journey.
Optometrist provides eye health services to people in need
25 February 2009
According to the WHO, more than 90 per cent of visually impaired people live in developing countries. One Ismaili doctor is making eye health services accessible to some of them and improving the quality of their lives.
Building a better society through CIVIC participation
10 February 2009
CIVIC, an initiative to engage Jamati youth, appealed to the social conscience of young Ismailis by inviting them to give back to their local communities through voluntary service. More than 1 100 participants contributed over 4 400 hours of service to projects that benefited communities across Canada.
New Chicago-area Jamatkhana described as the “Ruby of Glenview”
9 January 2009
Some 200 guests gathered in December for the opening of a new Jamatkhana in Glenview, Illinois. Set on 9.3 acres of land, the 26 000 square foot facility includes a prayer hall, administrative offices, classrooms, and spaces for social gatherings.
Texas Jamat comes together in the face of a massive storm
25 October 2008
On 13 September, Hurricane Ike surged through Houston with destructive force. The Ismaili Council and Focus Humanitarian Assistance established a Crisis Response Team to ensure the safety of the Jamat, while also assisting relief efforts in the wider Houston community.
Golf balls dance in support of poverty relief
25 September 2008
Three hundred golf balls rained from the sky, marking the start of the PartnershipsInAction Annual Golf Tournament. The AKF-USA fundraising initiative was an opportunity for golfers to learn about international development while enjoying a day on the green.
Giving the gift of sight through service
22 August 2008
Service is a cornerstone of the social conscience that Islam espouses. Alqaim Giga and Sehar Lalani have applied their passion for service to the improvement of eyesight and eye health among peoples living in different parts of the world.
Two cities inextricably linked by a shared heritage and common values
7 August 2008
During the past year, Sameer Kassam served as a volunteer with the Aga Khan Development Network in Salamieh and in Cairo. In addition to gaining an understanding of the AKDN’s work and local impact, Kassam also noted the links between the two cities.
UAE Jamat volunteers in event to raise funds for cancer research
29 July 2008
Every year since Dubai held its first Terry Fox Run in 1999, the Jamat in United Arab Emirates has helped with the event’s organisation. The 2008 run set a new benchmark for attendance and fundraising, making a significant contribution to cancer research and raising awareness about the disease.
Transforming the world through institutional imagination
21 May 2008
Nurjehan Mawani honoured by UNIFEM Canada - In 2007, Nurjehan Mawani was the recipient of the UNIFEM Canada award for her work in advancing equality for women and girls. In her acceptance remarks, she discussed the role that institutional imagination can play in addressing complex societal issues.
AKDN hosts exhibition in Tajikistan
30 November 2007
Over 5 000 people viewed informative exhibits, listened to traditional Tajik music, and examined locally-developed products as part of a two-day exhibition on the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan.
A woman's efforts to help the needy
14 November 2007
A member of the Lions International, Dilshad Mohamed, a businesswoman, has undertaken many initiatives to help out the members of the community in which she lives. Her efforts have been recognised both locally and internationally.
