Content Tagged with Global

Imamat Day banners and members of the Aga Khan Scouts welcome guests to the reception.

In Tajikistan, the celebration of Imamat Day — or Roz-e Takht Nishini in Tajik — traditionally includes family and neighbourhood gatherings with shared meals, music and dancing. In July 2009 the Aga Khan Development Network Resident Representative Office contributed to the festivities by hosting an education-themed Imamat Day reception.

Some of the Aga Khan Scouts at the Imamat Day Reception gather for a photograph.

In Tajikistan, the celebration of Roz-e Takht Nishini has traditionally included family and neighbourhood gatherings with shared meals, music and dancing. This year, the AKDN Resident Representative Office contributed to the festivities by hosting an education-themed reception.

A busy street in Bangladesh’s capital city.

Decades ago, Bangladesh was home to a thriving Jamat. Ismailis were active in key industries including jute, textiles, steel, aluminum, leather, construction, and food processing, as well as trading, banking, insurance and hotels. Today, the country is re-emerging as an area of economic interest to both the Jamat and the wider international community.

Members of the ICEU Lifelong Learning team gather for a group photograph at the Ismaili Centre, London.

The idea that learning extends from the cradle to the grave underpins the philosophy of the ICEU Lifelong Learning Programme. The programme’s impact on the lives of participants has been as broad as the range of subjects that they have pursued.

The Alis on a family day out. L to R: Salima, Zain, Arif and Sofia.

There is no easy access to Zain Ali’s mind – at the age of two he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. But his parents decided they would leave no stone unturned in exploring the various programs, therapies and interventions that exist for children like him.

In advance of the inaugural ceremony, Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya, tours Forodhani Park with Luis Monreal, General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Mawlana Hazar Imam, accompanied by Princess Zahra, is currently on a brief tour of East Africa to review the progress of Aga Khan Development Network initiatives in the region. 

Abyd Karmali, Managing Director and Global Head of Carbon Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, speaking at the Ismaili Centre, London.

Twelve years ago, Abyd Karmali witnessed the negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing on his experience, he discusses the crucial importance of the upcoming meeting in Copenhagen in addressing the current reality of the climate change crisis.

Health professionals gathered at the Ismaili Centre, London for the launch of a new website that emphasises the value of preserving traditional dishes. The Ismaili Nutrition Centre will help families factor health and nutrition into the preparation of their daily meals.

University of Cambridge Chancellor, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and Vice Chancellor Professor Alison Richard with Mawlana Hazar Imam and other honorary degree recipients.

In a colourful and historic ceremony held on Friday, 12 June, the University of Cambridge conferred upon Mawlana Hazar Imam an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity. Hazar Imam became the first Muslim to receive the distinction in the University’s long and storied history.

Mawlana Hazar Imam at the University of Alberta Convocation ceremony where he was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

That students at the University of Alberta are inspired to make an international impact through their activities is no coincidence. Their school is engaged in an array of international collaborations around the world, a fact remarked upon by Mawlana Hazar Imam in his convocation address.

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, with Mawlana Hazar Imam in front of the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa.

19 June 2009 – Today, the Canadian House of Commons gave unanimous consent to a motion granting Honorary Canadian Citizenship to Mawlana Hazar Imam. In a statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he looks forward “to welcoming the Aga Khan back to Canada as an Honorary Citizen.”

Calgary’s Ismaili Muslim community was honoured to win the 2006 Best Overall and Most Creative prize for their float, which partnered with the Calgary Meals on Wheels agency.

Anyone who has visited the Canadian province of Alberta will have been touched by the Spirit of the West. In the best tradition of that spirit, the Jamat in Alberta has worked to make the province and the country a better place for all.

Mawlana Hazar Imam delivering his Convocation address at the University of Alberta in Edmonton on June 9, 2009.

“Even when governments are fragile, or even nearly paralyzed in their functioning, strong civil society organizations can advance the social and economic order as they have done in Kenya and Bangladesh. Civil society is a complex matrix of influences, but its impact can be enormous, especially in rural environments, where, for example, the need for stronger secondary as well as primary schools is dramatically evident. We have also learned that effective civil progress involves a multiplicity of inputs and a variety of partners - including universities.”

 

Nestled among the narrow streets of Old Town Mombasa is a little gem of a place that radiates the hopefulness of a new generation. Founded by three Aga Khan Academy teachers, the Jahazi Coffee House is making an effort to improve life in the surrounding community.

Keith Mackrell hands a certificate to a
delighted graduate.

Seventy-four learners were joined by their families and senior Jamati leaders from across Europe as they graduated with a Certificate in Lifelong Learning awarded by the London School of Economics. The ceremony marked an important milestone for the graduates as well as the Ismaili Council for the European Union.

Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives at the Portuguese Ministry of State and Foreign Affairs with Foreign Minister Luis Amado for the signing of the international agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat. They are accompanied by AKDN Residen

8 May 2009 - A historic international agreement was signed between the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat on matters relating to religion, cooperation, culture and education. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Luis Amado and Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Alnoor Merchant addresses the audience at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

Alnoor Merchant from the IIS recently conducted a four-city lecture series on Muslim artistic, scientific, and architectural patronage. Captivating the audience with historic artefacts from the Aga Khan Museum collection, Merchant described the important role played by patrons in the history of Islamic art.