Our Stories

See stories from the Ismaili Community around the world.

Global Encounters campers gather around a bonfire in Zanzibar. Saraan Jiwani
Global Encounters campers gather around a bonfire in Zanzibar. Saraan Jiwani
A journey of limitless possibilities
A journey of limitless possibilities
4 February 2015

Global Encounters, an international camp for Ismaili youth, is about making connections, serving humanity and exploring Ismaili Muslim faith and values. Applications for the 2015 cycle to be held at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa are being accepted until 7 February.

Students at Queen Elizabeth School in Lisbon watch the FOCUS ShakeOut presentation. JOSÉ CARIA
Students at Queen Elizabeth School in Lisbon watch the FOCUS ShakeOut presentation. JOSÉ CARIA
Portuguese students receive earthquake education from FOCUS
Portuguese students receive earthquake education from FOCUS
3 February 2015

To the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Focus Humanitarian Assistance in Portugal, delivering earthquake safety education is just as important as responding in the aftermath. On 10 November, the FOCUS team visited Queen Elizabeth School in Lisbon, where they led a ShakeOut earthquake drill.

FOCUS Challenge4Life 2013 participants celebrate reaching the summit of Mount Kinabalu, before journeying on by foot, bicycle and raft to the South China Sea. Alnasir Jamal
FOCUS Challenge4Life 2013 participants celebrate reaching the summit of Mount Kinabalu, before journeying on by foot, bicycle and raft to the South China Sea. Alnasir Jamal
Adventure of a lifetime helps a worthy cause
Adventure of a lifetime helps a worthy cause
15 December 2014

One year after completing the 2013 FOCUS Challenge4Life, Faridoun Hemani recalls the adventure, the pain and the sense of accomplishment that he and 57 other participants shared during their Summit to Sea adventure.

Video: Spirit Art Nature
13 September 2014

Unveiling the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, Toronto.

Tour guides conduct mock tours in preparation for the opening of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto. Moez Visram
Tour guides conduct mock tours in preparation for the opening of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto. Moez Visram
Tour guides prepare for opening of Ismaili Centre, Toronto
Tour guides prepare for opening of Ismaili Centre, Toronto
8 September 2014

As finishing touches are applied to the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, newly trained tour guides received their first walk-through of the facility. When the doors of the Centre finally open, the guides will help visitors to discover the building and provide a window on the Ismaili community, its values and aspirations.

Southeast men’s dance team, Nishani, is an example of the high calibre of competition at the North American Ismaili Games.
Southeast men’s dance team, Nishani, is an example of the high calibre of competition at the North American Ismaili Games.
Dancers dazzle at Chicago games
Dancers dazzle at Chicago games
31 August 2014

Chicago, 30 August 2014 – Two days into the North American Ismaili Games, the biggest draw so far has been the dance competition. Word spread quickly following an incredible set of performances on day one, and a crowd of over 800 spectators showed up for Saturday’s shows.

Share a Smile is an initiative of the Ismaili Muslim community in the United Kingdom to help those in need during the month of Ramadan.
Share a Smile is an initiative of the Ismaili Muslim community in the United Kingdom to help those in need during the month of Ramadan.
Ismailis in the UK share 5 000 smiles this Ramadan
Ismailis in the UK share 5 000 smiles this Ramadan
7 July 2014

London, 7 July 2014 – Over 5 000 parcels of food and provisions were packed at UK Jamatkhanas this Saturday to help some of the most vulnerable populations in London, Birmingham and Leicester. Local charities will distribute the packages under Share a Smile, an Ismaili community initiative to help those in need during the month of Ramadan.

Organised by the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Ontario, the Premier Cup cricket tournament was part of a wider community effort to support the development of the sport in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, Toronto neighbourhoods that are home to
Organised by the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Ontario, the Premier Cup cricket tournament was part of a wider community effort to support the development of the sport in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, Toronto neighbourhoods that are home to
Supporting cricket in Toronto neighbourhoods
Supporting cricket in Toronto neighbourhoods
17 June 2014

While the annual Premier Cup cricket tournament brought Ontario Ismaili Muslims together in April, it was also part of a wider effort to build cricket pitches and support programming in Toronto neighbourhoods that are home to large South Asian immigrant communities.

1 May 2014
Students at a school in Kyrgyzstan take cover under their desks during the AKDN ShakeOut earthquake drill.
Students at a school in Kyrgyzstan take cover under their desks during the AKDN ShakeOut earthquake drill.
Knowing what to do in an earthquake is vital
Knowing what to do in an earthquake is vital
17 April 2014

In October 2013, over 341 000 individuals suddenly stopped what they were doing to Drop, Cover and Hold On! They were taking part in the AKDN ShakeOut – a drill that teaches people around the world how to protect themselves in the event of an earthquake.

The ice storm left hundreds of thousands of families in the Toronto area stranded for days in their homes without electric power or heat in frigid winter temperatures.
The ice storm left hundreds of thousands of families in the Toronto area stranded for days in their homes without electric power or heat in frigid winter temperatures.
Ontario Ismailis face ice storm with warm generosity
Ontario Ismailis face ice storm with warm generosity
12 February 2014

When a severe winter storm forced Ontario residents to cope for days in frigid temperatures without electrical power or heat, Ismaili institutions and volunteers quickly mobilised to support those who were most vulnerable. The Jamat’s strength, support and care for one another kept everyone safe; warmed by the knowledge that no one in the community is ever alone.

Ismaili friends enjoy each others company as they take in a view of the Great Rift Valley.
Ismaili friends enjoy each others company as they take in a view of the Great Rift Valley.
“Global Encounters” opens a new window on the world for Ismaili youth
“Global Encounters” opens a new window on the world for Ismaili youth
18 October 2013

In July 2013, 64 students with roots in 13 countries gathered at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa to participate in Global Encounters, the first summer programme of its kind for Ismaili youth from around the world. Students engaged with pressing issues in global development, contended with real-world challenges, broadened their world views, built new friendships, and nurtured a sense of self-discovery.

Add breadcrumb trail: 
Show secondary sidebar menu: