What has your experience as a guide at the Centre brought you?
A constant learning experience. Sharing the Centre with visitors allows an exchange of knowledge, both in relation to the Centre and what it represents, as well as in relation to the experiences and livingness of visitors that become relevant when discovering this space.
Where do you see the Centre in 20 years?
Fulfilling its mission of the last 20 years - a space for contemplation, for peace, for the community in its broadest sense and for sharing knowledge.
What is the aspect of the Centre that most impresses you?
It doesn't age. It retains its splendor from day one. Its magnificent architecture, the ever-present nature, its deep symbolism, without losing humility in its surroundings.
Which space in the Centre best reflects the aspirations of Mawlana Hazar Imam?
The whole. It is difficult to conceive it without any of its parts. But if I had to choose one area, it would be the community area with the classrooms, the institutional work, the halls that are host to a myriad of purposes - hosting parties, congresses, lectures, art exhibitions, musical concerts. It reflects the aspirations of the Ismaili Centres as spaces for social and cultural conviviality, intellectual engagement, promotion of diversity and pluralism and spiritual contemplation.
As a guide at the Ismaili Centre, what is the most striking moment you have experienced?
Several moments when at the end of the visit, they make a point of coming one by one to express the feeling of peace, belonging and assimilation they carry with them. When I feel that building bridges happens with each one of them.
What message would you leave for future guides?
We have the honor of representing a building that characterizes us and our identity in such a natural way. Where in each visit there is a discovery and a learning that develops us not only as Ismailis, but as people. What better way to learn and grow?
About Nasrine
Nasrine Navazali has a degree in management, was previously a Director at Advancecare, and is now co-responsible for Panorama Senior, a company that specializes in differentiated care and activities for seniors.
In terms of volunteering, besides being a guide at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon, since 1998 she has also contributed her time as a Talim teacher.
