The event was very well attended and crowds flocked to view energetic performances, displays of visual arts, and films, representing the three key pillars of the Jubilee Arts programme: the Art Gallery, the Talent Showcase, and the Film Festival. The event attracted all age groups of the Jamat, from the very young to the not-so-young.  The central courtyard of the Ismaili Centre, Dubai was transformed into a cultural stage showcasing a spectrum of modern and classical performances.  Together, the evening provided a flavour of the how this Diamond Jubilee initiative will provide an international platform for creative expressions. 

“Celebrating the artistic talent in the community is something that is long overdue,” said Sikander Ali, 77, who has lived in Dubai for the past 50 years. “Having enjoyed the atmosphere of the Jamat in my youth, I am delighted to see the cooperation taking place that has made this event a reality.”

Such initiatives provide a multi-generational, multicultural experience, and stimulate a ‘pluralism ecosystem’ – the promoting pluralism and tolerance, a key ethic of the Ismaili Jamat, according to Amiruddin Thanawala, President of the Ismaili Community for the UAE.

Old and new forms, young and old tunes: the cultural showcase delighted all. The guitar strains of a rock band pulsated through the crowd, and succeeded in capturing the audience’s attention.  This was a high energy start to an evening of sheer cultural delight that captivated the Jamat.  At the entrance of the Centre,  musicians from the Northern Areas of Pakistan played traditional songs, as a parade of children wound its way through the Centre, intriguing the Jamat, as yet unaware of the cultural pleasures that awaited them. A flash mob, described as “energetic, enthusiastic and ecstatic” by an audience member, caught attendees by surprise, as dancers ranging in age from 7 years to 20 years thrilled the audience.  Nostalgia also weaved its magic as Shams, an experienced musician of 31 years, played melodies that led many members of relive memories of a bygone age.

In the blue-light of the courtyard, four artists aged 15 to 50 – reflecting the global spirit of the event, each representing a different cultural tradition in the Gulf Jamat - created timed works of art before a live audience mesmerized by their skill and talent. These included a calligraphy montage with Urdu, Farsi and Arabic script, a portrait of an Arab woman, a still-life painting of a vase, and a semi-abstract mixed media work of paint, pencil and glitter with a powerful message – a tree growing from a heart. The calligrapher explained that he was inspired to practice calligraphy by a desire to improve his once-terrible penmanship, while the abstract artist sought to bring attention to important social issues.

Elsewhere in the courtyard, people admired cultural artifacts from Central Asia, marvelling at handwoven hats, pillows, bed sets, jewellery cases and other ornaments that gleamed with jewels.

A common refrain heard throughout the night was how the Jamat was discovering its talent for the first time. Events like these are important as they bring out talent that previously “would not have been recognised,” said Astha Aziz, a flashmob participant. “It shows us how much creative artistic talent there is in the community,” said teenager Azaan Dhrolia.

Now that the Jamat has been revved up about the competition, members are looking forward to the local and national festivals, where they are sure to discover artists from their own Jamats and the other Gulf Jamats showcasing a variety of art forms on a single platform.

Jubilee Arts reflects the spirit of cultural diversity in the Jamat.  It also seeks to provide a platform for members of the Jamat to showcase their talent in a wide range of artistic fields which otherwise may have remained unrecognized and hidden. Culture is a binding force for communities, and it is important to recognize the key role it plays in providing a cohesive identity. In our age of cultural homogeneity, it is important to preserve unique aspects of our cultural identity. Mawlana Hazar Imam has demonstrated a concern for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Muslim societies, as manifested in the work of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).  Ranging from architecture and the preservation of historical sites, to music and parks, the work of AKTC seeks to highlight the need to preserve cultural identities threatened by the onslaught of cultural globalization.