Content Tagged with Global

Medallions of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Yasmin Waljee and Farah Ramzan Golant were recently named to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, while Aladin Rahemtula became the first Ismaili to be conferred the Order of Australia. The awards recognise the outstanding services rendered by these individuals in their respective fields.

There is near universal scientific consensus that the loading of the atmosphere with greenhouse gases is causing increased global warming and associated climate change, argues Abyd Karmali. Fortunately, he notes, several countries are putting in place policies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, which are resulting substantial new economic opportunities.

Through “Planting a Tree for Africa”, the Serena Hotels Group has planted over one million trees in the National Parks of Kenya.

Over the last 25 years, AKDN has planted over 100 million trees in Asia and Africa. Many communities already recognise that sustainable agro-forestry provides dividends in the form of food, fuel and fodder, and the emergence of a global carbon market presents new opportunity.

The Ismaili Nutrition Midlands Launch event took place on 9 February in Leicester, UK.

Professionals and representatives of leading healthcare organisations in the United Kingdom gathered at Leicester Jamatkhana on 9 February to learn about The Ismaili Nutrition Centre, a unique online resource that offers healthy alternatives to traditional dishes.

A tent village established by FOCUS to house those displaced by the torrential rains that struck Sindh in August 2010.

Massive flooding last year in the regions surrounding the Indus River caused devastation, destroying more than 1.4 million acres of cropland and over one million homes. But the resilience of those affected and the compassion and generosity of those providing assistance offers hope and lessons for the times ahead.

Young Ismailis are increasingly making their mark in all fields – academic and non-academic. Through the Youth Awards for Excellence, 2010, the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for India recognised the Jamati youth and honoured high achievers in fields such as sports, the arts, sciences, creative expression, and leadership.

Pandemonium, the Morley Chamber Choir and the Ismaili Community Ensemble perform together at Cadogan Hall.

The Ismaili Community Ensemble in the United Kingdom recently collaborated with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Pandemonium and Morley Chamber Choir to present a cornucopia of beautiful music evoking the heritage of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions.

Mass media plays a crucial role in forming and capturing public opinion, and in shaping the perceptions of society at large. As more Ismailis emerge into the global media scene, a few from North America share insights into the responsibilities and challenges that are integral to their work.

Participants and parents listen to the speakers at the fourth Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue held at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Several Ismaili students and speakers participated in the fourth Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue, titled Getting to the Core of Diversity at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The annual event promotes pluralism and leadership development in high school students.

A number of Ismaili women are courageously taking the initiative to pave the way for the empowerment of the underprivileged, of which women and girls constitute a substantial portion.

A number of Ismaili women have devoted their careers to elevating the status of women – particularly those who are disadvantaged – by improving the quality of their lives and those amongst whom they live in communities across the globe. By leveraging their own potential and fulfilling a desire to make a difference, they are providing inspiration for others to follow their lead.

Formation of the floor slab of the Prayer Hall of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto on 12 November 2010.

With the walls of the new Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum beginning to emerge along Wynford Drive, Toronto architectural firm Moriyama & Teshima discussed the projects at a recent event held at the Ontario Science Centre. Their presentation, which took place against the backdrop of an exhibition of images and architectural renderings, was attended by prominent guests including Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

Seniors take part in a theatre performance about mediation and dispute resolution during the Seniors in Movement programme held at the Ismaili Centre, Lisbon.

What defines being old? Is it reaching a particular age? Retiring from the workplace? And what meaningful roles can the elderly play in society today? These and other matters were put forward at a recent gathering of seniors in Lisbon.

In the absence of electricity, students in a primary school classroom have to study using kerosene lamps.

Using mini solar-powered electric grids, Naeem Mawji – a determined Canadian Ismaili student and entrepreneur – has provided the villagers of Masurura, Tanzania access to both electricity and hope. Now he aims to transform the country’s economy by increasing access to electricity for other villages in the region.

The Court of Gayumars from the Shahnama.

Dr. Francesca Leoni delivered a presentation to mark the millennial anniversary of Firdawsi's Shahnama. The presentation took place at the University of Texas at Arlington, with support from its Office of the Provost, the University's College of Liberal Arts, and the Ismaili Council for Northern Texas.

Pages from a manuscript of Firdawsi’s “Shanama”.

On 4 November 2010, Dr Francesca Leoni delivered a presentation to mark the millennial anniversary of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. The presentation took place at the University of Texas at Arlington, with support from its Office of the Provost, the University’s College of Liberal Arts, and the Ismaili Council for Northern Texas.

The site of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park along Wynford Drive in Toronto on 1 October 2010.

An exhibition that showcases the images and architectural renderings of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and some of its Collection, and their Park, will be displayed across Canada over the next six months starting in Toronto. The exhibition will also include images of the global Ismaili Centres and various projects of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Shirin Keshvani shooting a scene from “Dream School”.

Shirin Keshvani was a toddler when she first took to the stage. At age four, she was selected to emcee the official opening of her nursery school. In November, the 12-year-old made her television acting debut on Singapore’s Okto TV Channel in Dream School.

Panoramic view of ongoing landscape at the Lakkarwala Burj in Sunder Nursery.

Aftab Jalia works with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Delhi and is part of an initiative to revitalise the area surrounding Humayun’s Tomb and Gardens, and improve the quality of life of the residents in the neighbouring Nizamuddin district. A graduate of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at MIT, he shares some insight on the progress of the project and its impact on the surrounding community.

The front facade of the newly refurbished Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique.

Maputo, Mozambique, 16 December 2010 – In the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam, Mozambique’s president, His Excellency Armando Guebuza, officially inaugurated the refurbished Polana Serena Hotel, a historic water-front landmark in the capital city of Maputo, and one of Africa’s grandest colonial era hotels.

In “Outsourced”, Rizwan Manji plays the part of Rajiv Gidwani, an ambitious and conniving assistant manager of a call centre in India.

Rizwan Manji, an Ismaili Muslim actor from Toronto, plays the part of Rajiv in the hit comedy TV series Outsourced. The show, which features a cast of South Asian actors premiered this fall on NBC to critical acclaim, and has garnered worldwide attention and publicity.