What's New
Melbourne Pipe Band brings community together
23 May 2019
Music plays a vital role in culture and society alike, not only for expressing ourselves but also for promoting and uplifting physical and mental wellbeing. Music allows people from all different backgrounds to come together to appreciate and engage with their traditions, while also forming connections with one another.
Interview with Dr Amyn Sajoo, Scholar-in-Residence at Simon Fraser University
23 May 2019
The.Ismaili is pleased to publish an interview with Dr Amyn Sajoo, a specialist in international human rights, civil society, and public ethics. As part of a series of interviews with key figures, Dr Sajoo discusses the notion of civil society, its history, significance, and potential to enrich democratic life around the world.
Ismaili mountaineer becomes first Pakistani man to scale The Seven Summits
22 May 2019
Ismaili mountaineer Mirza Ali, from Shimshal Valley, Hunza, successfully climbed Mount Everest on Wednesday, 22 May, becoming the first Pakistani man to scale The Seven Summits — the highest mountains of each of the seven continents. Climbing The Seven Summits is regarded as one of the foremost exploration and mountaineering accomplishments.
Painting a better tomorrow
20 May 2019
In Uganda, volunteer communities have come together in numerous ways to create positive change — a cornerstone of civil society. In a small township in the northern part of Kampala, more than 50 volunteers between the ages of 11 and 15 put their hands to work repainting the Kyanja Muslim Nursery School in late April.
What is civil society and why does it matter?
19 May 2019
The term civil society often appears in conversations amongst people concerned with social progress and positive change. But what does it actually mean, and why is it important? Here we explore some key aspects, and consider how the ethics and values of the Ismaili community can inspire us to contribute towards a strong civil society.
US seniors show their passion for recreational music
14 May 2019
Recreation plays a key role in the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone, young and old. For seniors especially, involvement in recreation has a number of benefits in enhancing cognitive and motor skills, and provides an opportunity for socializing and developing new talents. For a group of seniors in the USA, a passion for music has shown that age is no limit to composing and performing for themselves and others.
Have you thought about your mental health?
12 May 2019
Preservation of a sound mind is among the foundational principles of Islam's ethical code, which strives to ensure the dignity and honour of each individual from day to day, throughout the course of life. In general, it is also important to become more aware of, and to consider integrating holistic wellbeing into our daily routine, as this can have a benefit on the quality of our lives.
Asteroid named after Ismaili scientist
6 May 2019
It is a rare and historic honor to have an object in space named after an individual. This is usually reserved for someone who first discovers the object, generally after years of painstaking observation of the night sky. So to be recognized in this manner is indeed an occasion worthy of note. This is precisely what happened for Alaudin Bhanji at the end of 2018.
Video: Mawlana Hazar Imam presented with the Keys of the City of Porto
1 May 2019
Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, is known for its history, industry, and culture. At certain points in its history, the city has been occupied by the Celtic people, the Roman empire, and the Umayyad dynasty, which has lent a diverse character to the urban area. At a ceremony on 2 May 2019, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with the Keys of the City.
Mawlana Hazar Imam honoured with the Keys of the City of Porto
1 May 2019
In the historic coastal city of Porto in Northern Portugal, Mawlana Hazar Imam was presented with the Keys of the City during a ceremony at Porto City Hall on 2 May 2019.
European Jamat comes together to meet, compete, and unite
29 April 2019
During a weekend filled with sunshine, smiles, and sports at the University of Nottingham, thousands of members of the Jamat from 15 countries joined together in a celebration of diversity, service, and health and wellbeing at the European Sports Festival 2019.
Racing ahead of the game
27 April 2019
As we sat in a bakery at London’s South Kensington waiting for our tea and cakes, I couldn't help but sense how composed the young woman sitting opposite me was. In Nabila Tejpar’s profession however, I sensed that staying calm under pressure came with the job. It wasn't every day that you met a young Ismaili woman who was taking the UK rally driving scene by storm.
