Ismailis in Action

The Ismaili Muslim Students Association (IMSA) at The University of Texas at Austin was presented with the Outstanding Student Organization Award at its annual Tower Awards/ The award, presented in May 2022, recognized its contribution toward civic engagement efforts and inspiring actions in the community.

“Let’s fulfill and mean the term, ‘One Jamat’ in its true sense, by not marginalizing us, feeling sorry for us, or only remembering us once a year during Special Needs Awareness Week. Instead, be open to including us, welcoming us, accommodating us in every event, as all we seek is love.”  - Students of the Dallas Creative Learning Center.

Dr. Ariff Kachra, the Dean for the University of Central Asia, had only a moment to meet with Naseem Jaffer during a layover at the San Francisco airport in 2015. He had heard of Naseem’s experience in preparing curricula from when she helped pilot the Ta’lim curriculum used in religious education classes, her services in analyzing and improving underperforming schools in California and Massachusetts, and her master’s degree in education with a focus on mathematics.

City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner: “I am a member of the Ismaili Community...honorary!”

A short and poignant new film captures the imagination and underscores social issues leading to suicides among girls in Northern Pakistan. Depicting the strains caused in families and villages by the impact of higher education, the film Darya Kay Iss Paar (This Bank of the River) makes its statement with little dialogue. The emotions, confusion, and despair are all too obvious in the actress who plays the part of a tormented young girl.