Content Tagged with Global

More than $2 billion in private scholarships are available each year to deserving students for filling out some paperwork, writing an essay or two and occasionally being interviewed in person or over the phone.

Each year, companies and charities offer more than $2 billion in private scholarships, which, in addition to being an attractive form of education financing, are also a prestigious form of recognition. But many scholarships go unfulfilled because nobody applies for them. Three students share tips from their scholarship successes.

Volunteers hard at work setting up displays for the AKDN Exhibition at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe.

On 11 July, the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe was the venue for an Imamat Day reception hosted by the Aga Khan Development Network in Tajikistan. The event, which also marked the 15th anniversary of the signing of an Agreement of Cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the AKDN, included a cultural show as well as a three-day exhibition of AKDN’s projects in the country during the past 15 years.

Yawm-e Ali 2010 Lecture on Imam Ali and the Power of Compassion by Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi at the Ismaili Centre, London.

The 2010 Yawm-e Ali Lecture at the Ismaili Centre, London was delivered on 14 July by Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi, Reasearch Fellow at The Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. In his lecture titled Imam Ali and the Power of Compassion, Dr Shah-Kazemi explored the role played by Rahma – divine compassion – in the teachings of Hazrat Ali.

A Red Cross “ready to go” emergency preparedness kit and its contents.

To better equip the community to deal with emergencies, Focus Humanitarian Assistance has been running “Disaster Preparedness Weeks” in partnership with National Ismaili Councils around the world. During the week, practical tips and resources are shared with families to raise awareness of the regional risks and how to prepare for them.

Firoz Rasul, President of the Aga Khan University, spoke at the Ismaili Centre, London on 8 July 2010, where he looked ahead toward the University's next 25 years.

Firoz Rasul, President of the Aga Khan University addressed an audience at the Ismaili Centre, London on 8 July 2010, in which he looked ahead towards the University’s next 25 years – a period during which AKU will take an important evolutionary step to become a comprehensive university. He discussed AKU’s plans to offer new programmes in various fields, to build several new campuses and to embark on regional integrated health care strategies.

Following a presentation at the Houston Principle Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, audience members listen to a tour guide explain Islamic and Western architectural concepts represented by the Center,

In May and June, the Houston Ismaili community collaborated with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston to organise educational events that explored and celebrated artistic traditions of the Muslim world. It was part of an ongoing outreach effort that has given way to greater dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims about their respective faiths and cultural heritage.

The three Ismailis who were recognised for their services as Canadian wardens in the DRC pose for a photograph with Governor General Michaëlle Jean. From the left: Altaf Sheriff, the Governor General, Sadrudin Nanji, Shiraj Hemraj.

During a state visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year, the Governor General of Canada awarded medals of honour to a number of individuals, including three Ismailis. The Ismaili recipients were all Canadian wardens – volunteers who support the Canadian Embassy and resident Canadians in the event of a local crisis.

Following their performance at the World Cup Kick Off concert, Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, Alisha Popat and their fellow musicians perform the song “Africa You Are The Star” at the Carnivore Grounds launch in Nairobi.

Over the past four weeks, millions of people have turned their attention to South Africa, host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup championship. It is the first time that the tournament is being hosted in an African country, and for a group of Ismaili musicians who performed at the Kick Off Concert, the occasion is particularly special.

Michael Kahlenberg leads FOCUS Regional Disaster Managers on a tour of the Emergency Operations Center at the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in Houston.

Earlier this year, Focus Humanitarian Assistance in North America conducted disaster management and leadership training in Houston and Toronto, for their Regional Disaster Management Teams. As a key component of the Disaster Management Programme, the training prepared community stakeholders to effectively respond to natural and man-made disasters.

Firoz Rasul is the President of the Aga Khan University

Firoz Rasul, President of the Aga Khan University will speak on Thursday, 8 July at the Ismaili Centre, London. President Rasul’s talk will look ahead toward the University’s next 25 years.

Watch the video of this live event now.

CIVIC participants in Edmonton build a shed for Habitat for Humanity.

Through civic engagement, humankind has refined agricultural practices, reformed education, rebuilt communities after natural disasters, and strengthened civil society. In countries around the world, Ismaili Muslims have made their own mark on history through community involvement, voluntary service, youth education and political engagement.

“Flow” specially composed for the 25th anniversary of the Ismaili Centre, London, is performed by Jonathan Eato and Thomas Maternik from Royal College of Music together with members of Ismaili Community Ensemble.

Exhibition Road Music Day, an annual festival of live, international music concerts and workshops in London, renewed itself on 20 June with participation from the Ismaili Community Ensemble.

The four artists describe intricate ties between their art and their Ismaili Muslim faith. Sometimes the Islamic themes are explicitly depicted; elsewhere the influence is more subtle.

Several North American-based Ismaili artists talk about what draws them to create art. They also discuss how Islamic themes and symbols influence their work, and how they use art to give expression to their personal faith interpretations while exploring cultural heritage and celebrating identity.

A tribute to the Girl Scouts in Savanah, GA, where Girl Scouts USA founder Juliette Gordon Low was from.

This year, the Girl Guide movement turns 98. Over the years, the organisation’s impact on the physical, mental and spiritual development of girls and young women has been phenomenal. Many Ismaili Muslim women who are part of the movement have become inspiring role models and leaders in their communities and the world.

The keynote speaker, Congressman Pete Sessions, addresses the audience about the importance of scouting and community service.

In December, ten Ismaili Muslim Boy Scouts in Texas earned the prestigious Eagle Scout Award for performing outstanding community service that demonstrated initiative, commitment to help those in need, and extraordinary leadership skills. This prestigious rank is achieved by only five per cent of all Boy Scouts in the United States.

Youth volunteers take a moment to join in the fun and have their faces painted.

After years of anticipation, the Jamat across Canada came together to celebrate the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park in Toronto. They eagerly shared their thoughts and feelings about how the new developments will impact their identity as Ismaili Muslims in Canada.

AKDN.org and TheIsmaili.org have launched new web resources focused on the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, Toronto that promise to be useful and informative both within and outside the Jamat.

Following the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park in Toronto last week, two important new web-based resources have been launched. One is an AKDN site that profiles the Aga Khan Museum and its Collection, and the second is a web page dedicated to the Ismaili Centre, Toronto.

Artist rendering of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto.

The Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, together with the Aga Khan Museum and their Park took place on 28 May 2010. Situated along Wynford Drive in the city’s Don Mills area, projects were designed by three architects of international renoun: Charles Correa designed the Ismaili Centre, Fumihiko Maki designed the Museum and Vladimir Djurovic designed the Park.

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Prime Minister Stephen Harper shake hands after unveiling the plaque commemorating the Foundation of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park.

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper marked the Foundation of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park situated in the city's Don Mills area. The Prime Minister used the occasion to formally announce the Canadian Parliament's unanimous decision to make Mawlana Hazar Imam an Honorary Canadian Citizen.

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the Exhibition Tent, examining the architectural model.

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper marked the Foundation of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and their Park situated in the city’s Don Mills area. The Prime Minister used the occasion to formally announce Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Honorary Canadian Citizenship.