News
International agreement signed between the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat
8 May 2009
8 May 2009 - A historic international agreement was signed between the Portuguese Republic and the Ismaili Imamat on matters relating to religion, cooperation, culture and education. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Luis Amado and Mawlana Hazar Imam at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Outstanding patrons, beautiful objects: Metaphors for humanism and enlightenment
28 April 2009
Alnoor Merchant from the IIS recently conducted a four-city lecture series on Muslim artistic, scientific, and architectural patronage. Captivating the audience with historic artefacts from the Aga Khan Museum collection, Merchant described the important role played by patrons in the history of Islamic art.
Being human together
22 April 2009
Reflecting on Mawlana Hazar Imam's speech at the 2009 Conference of the Global Philanthropy Forum, Asif Penwala explores the connection between philanthropy, the ethic of compassion and voluntary service. He observes how this relationship comes together within the Jamat, as well as the wider sphere of the Ismaili Imamat.
Exhibition by UAE Royal Photographer inaugurated at the Ismaili Centre Dubai
22 April 2009
Reminiscing Heritage, an exhibition of photographs taken by acclaimed Royal Photographer of the United Arab Emirates, Noor Ali Rashid, is being hosted at the Ismaili Centre Dubai. The exhibition was recently inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Seeking knowledge to the ends of the universe
16 April 2009
Professor Arif Babul is an astrophysicist whose research into the origins of the universe is just one aspect of his multi-faceted career. A Distinguished Professor at the University of Victoria, he directs the Canadian Computational Cosmology Collaboration, and is an advocate for strengthened Muslim-West relations.
A changing climate: Exploring the social impact of global warming
15 March 2009
In February, an eminent panel convened in London as part of the Ismaili Centre Lecture Series to discuss global warming and its impact on the developing world. The panel turned its attention to the social impact of climate change, particularly in the developing world.
Cycling the open road: FOCUS Bike4Life 2008
15 March 2009
Sixty-nine people participated in the 2008 FOCUS Challenge event, cycling some 550 kilometres from Mumbai to Goa along the Konkan Coast. This photo essay documents their journey.
World Partnership Walk to celebrate its 25th year in Canada
11 March 2009
In 1985, a small group of Ismaili women wanted to make a difference in the fight against global poverty. Their first steps gave birth to the World Partnership Walk, the largest and most successful event of its kind in Canada..
Lessons I learnt last summer
9 March 2009
In this reflective piece, Aliyyah Giga, an alumnus of The Institute of Ismaili Studies’ Summer Programme on Islam, shares some personal lessons that she drew from her experience of the programme.
Optometrist provides eye health services to people in need
25 February 2009
According to the WHO, more than 90 per cent of visually impaired people live in developing countries. One Ismaili doctor is making eye health services accessible to some of them and improving the quality of their lives.
A symphony of the soul
24 February 2009
Sufi-inspired music is a rich and powerful medium through which Muslims have searched for spiritual inspiration for hundreds of years. Three Ismaili musicians discuss their pursuit of spiritual music and describe the benefits they have derived from it.
Building a better society through CIVIC participation
10 February 2009
CIVIC, an initiative to engage Jamati youth, appealed to the social conscience of young Ismailis by inviting them to give back to their local communities through voluntary service. More than 1 100 participants contributed over 4 400 hours of service to projects that benefited communities across Canada.
