Our Stories
See stories from the Ismaili Community around the world.
A bright light amid the darkness
7 September 2022
My blindness is not my weakness, but my greatest strength. I could see one day, but the next I could not. Once I realized I would be blind for the rest of my life, the challenge placed before me cultivated a strong motivation. I wanted to learn new and diverse ways of doing things. Each barrier became a challenge, and each challenge an invitation to overcome.
The story behind The Ismaili Sounds
20 June 2022
In May 2020, while the world was in lockdown, The Ismaili TV hosted a virtual Shukrana Concert to commemorate Eid ul-Fitr. To prepare, the organising team issued a call out for song submissions, hoping for a few hours worth of content. The response was overwhelming. A new platform was soon created to showcase the musical talent of the Jamat – and thus, two years ago this week, The Ismaili Sounds was born.
Facing my fears, year after year
10 May 2022
As part of the one percent of the population who stammer (stutter), I know first-hand the challenges that come with having one. I remember the feeling of dread when being asked my name or if I had to speak on the telephone. Ever since I was young, I’ve been on a journey to find the courage to face my speaking fears.
Mental health care for all: Let's make it a reality
7 October 2021
Mental health isn't just the absence of mental illness. It extends to a more holistic spectrum of emotional and social well being, and affects how we think, feel, and act. To raise awareness of mental health issues globally and mobilise efforts around it, World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year. This year's theme highlights the urgency to make quality mental health care a reality for all.
Teachers: Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders
4 October 2021
The 20th century writer William Arthur Ward once wrote that “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day 2021, we celebrate the teachers and educators in our Jamat that continue to inspire us week after week, and thus help to positively shape the future of humanity.
Improving quality of life in remote communities
27 September 2021
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.
Striving for a bright future
5 August 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.
Science has no boundaries at Aga Khan School in Osh
27 July 2021
Dr Sadru Damji, a TKN volunteer based in Toronto, Canada, recently led an interactive and exciting online chemistry class in May 2021 for a group of grade 11 students at the Aga Khan School in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
Singing together in the spirit of harmony
19 July 2021
The festival of Eid al-Adha celebrates the common humanity and ethical heritage shared by the three Abrahamic faiths. A new musical composition performed by artists in the UK harnesses a long-standing relationship between three faith communities and illustrates the strength found in diversity.
Interning at AKDN: A student’s story
28 June 2021
University of Central Asia student Payrov Dehqonov interned at the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, and helped to analyse data in order to better prepare communities in Tajikistan that are at high-risk of being impacted by natural disasters.
Innovation for communication: Increasing deaf accessibility and inclusion during the pandemic
20 May 2021
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.
Zain Manji develops tool to help find nearby vaccination sites
16 May 2021
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.
