Earlier today, 12 September, Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Bolgar, located in southwestern Tatarstan, in Russia. During his visit, Hazar Imam spent time at a number of historic sites, and participated in a postage stamp cancellation ceremony to commemorate the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

In the first part of this article, we explored definitions of architecture, and the complexities involved in designing buildings and spaces in the modern world. If buildings and cities do indeed ‘speak’ to us, then what should they speak of?

The Aga Khan Health Service, Tajikistan (AKHS, T) recently established the Aga Khan Medical Centre, Khorog (AKMC, K) as a private, not-for-profit hospital, offering high quality health care to the community. It began operations in December 2018, providing outpatient care, diagnostics and physiotherapy services. In April 2019, the hospital expanded its offerings to include inpatient, as well as emergency management services. The first phase of this expansion is supported with 48 beds and a provision for future growth, as needed. AKMC, K complements and supports the Government of Tajikistan's efforts to provide quality diagnostic and treatment services not currently available at the 450-bed Khorog Oblast General Hospital.

We don’t often think about it, but architecture is everywhere. The philosopher and author Alain de Botton has said, “In an odd but quietly very important way, works of architecture ‘speak’ to us. Some buildings, streets and even whole cities seem to speak of chaos, aggression or military pride; others seem to be whispering to us of calm or graceful dignity, generosity or gentleness.”

Pakistan celebrated its 73^rd Independence Day on the 14^th of August 2019. To commemorate this auspicious day, the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board (AKYSB) for Southern Region organised a mural painting activity in the city of Karachi. Members of the Ismaili community, known for their community spirit and positive contributions to society, observed the national day with great zeal.

Do you recognize your power and potential? Do you believe that it’s possible to thrive as a working mother and a successful business executive? Yes, it is. Despite evidence that gender diversity at the management level enhances a company’s performance, research shows that among the world’s largest 500 companies, only 10.9 percent of senior executives are women. Let’s stop the leaky leadership pipeline and accelerate women’s success into leadership roles. Below are some tips to help you excel as a leader:

Science has generated numerous technological innovations, such as those in transportation, communication, health, and agriculture, which have improved our quality of life exponentially. At the same time, technological progress has also led to an array of challenges such as overpopulation, global warming, species eradication, and pollution. Our daily actions, of which we are often completely oblivious, are resulting in irreversible environmental damage.

The.Ismaili is pleased to publish an interview with Dr El-Nasir Lalani, Founding Director and Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Translational Medicine at the Aga Khan University’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine. Professor Lalani discusses the implications of scientific breakthroughs in a rapidly changing world, and the potential of stem cell research to better treat diseases in the future.

Due to advances in technology, the landscape of work and jobs has changed significantly in the last 30 years. Some industries have progressed rapidly, while others have declined, which has shifted and disrupted standards of living and career aspirations. As the relationship between virtual and real becomes ever more blurred, how can we prepare for the next 30 years?