Community News
This month gives us an opportunity to reflect on how we can each play a part in creating a more peaceful, generous, and hopeful world, especially during these challenging and stressful times. The theme for Mediation Week 2021 is “Confronting Conflict with Resilience and Courage.”
In Pakistan, the Ismaili community is scattered all over the country, with a substantial number residing in the mountainous valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. These valleys are known for their beauty and splendour, but also bear many socio-economic and environmental issues. Jamati and AKDN institutions continue to provide access to basic services in the region.
Thousands of members of the Jamat are busy making final preparations ahead of the inaugural Global Ismaili CIVIC Day, to be held this weekend in more than 30 countries around the world.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) participated in and delivered a statement at the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan, at the invitation of the United Nations Secretary-General earlier today, 13 September 2021.
High school student Aimaan Sayani has lived in Pakistan and Canada, and spent five years studying at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya. “When I used to hear Aga Khan Academies students talk about studying there, and when I read about the school, I was so intrigued,” she said.
In a recent poem by Jordan Sanchez, Reimagine, Recreate, Restore, she reminds us, “We are a fraction of a second in Earth’s lifetime, yet she is our only lifeline.” In an effort to align with this thinking, Ismaili youth, governmental and civil society institutions, and AKDN agencies in Pakistan are working hand-in-hand to reimagine our lifestyles, recreate our approaches, and restore our ecosystems.
The Global STEM Festival 2021 is an opportunity for youth aged 5-18 to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), by creating and showcasing projects to the global Jamat — virtually.
The Ismaili is pleased to announce an Imamat Day programme to be aired on The Ismaili TV, 9-11 July, featuring various content to entertain and inspire the Jamat while commemorating the 64th Imamat Day of our beloved Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Over the past year, the challenge of Covid-19 in Texas has been compounded by a winter storm that left millions throughout the state without power and water, and Hurricane Laura, which caused extensive property damage and displaced many. In the face of these challenges, members of the Ismaili community came together to assist those in need, staffing vaccine mega-sites, volunteering to distribute food and water, donating large amounts of PPE to first responders and communities in need, and organizing dozens of drives, including to collect blood, food, and books.
During the course of the pandemic, the Jamat has adapted to an increased use of technology. It is inspiring to see how Ismailis around the world have taken this transition in stride, as can be seen by the founding of The Ismaili TV, the hundreds of virtual events and programmes that have been offered, as well as the individual contributions of time and knowledge the global Jamat has provided.
Azima Dhanjee, a Pakistani entrepreneur, co-founded ConnectHear, a platform that generates sign language interpreters and seeks to increase deaf accessibility and inclusion in Pakistan.
When the United States government released a service that supported users in finding a vaccination site near them, Ontario-native Zain Manji realised there was nothing stopping him from creating a similar tool for Canadians.